Administration of Justice Grants Program

Overview

NOTE: To apply for a grant, you must first request a user identification number from MSBF.

About Us

The Michigan State Bar Foundation provides leadership and funding to improve the justice system. Since inception, the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $210 million. Nonprofit civil legal aid programs receive the largest share of the Foundation’s grants to help assure access to justice for all. Civil legal aid assures fairness in the justice system. Legal Aid programs funded by the Foundation complete approximately 50,000 cases for low-income persons in Michigan each year. The Foundation also supports programs that improve the administration of justice by educating children and adults about their legal rights and responsibilities, the justice system and opportunities to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom.

Administration of Justice Grants Program

Background

In the last decade, the Foundation has distributed approximately $2.2 million for projects that improve the administration of justice (AOJ) through law-related education, conflict resolution, or assisting the delivery of civil legal aid to the poor. The AOJ grants are typically project-based grants which provide funding for innovative ideas. These grants have included efforts such as helping develop a Medical Legal Partnership between a civil legal aid program and a community health center, helping citizens learn about being a juror, and helping an organization enhance their website to provide law-related educational materials for teachers and children. 

Priorities

The Michigan State Bar Foundation funds innovative projects through its Administration of Justice grant program. Priorities for these funds include:

• Educating Michigan children and adults about their legal rights and responsibilities, and the American Justice system; and
• Opportunities for conflict and dispute resolution; and
• Supporting civil legal aid to the poor.

From time to time, the Foundation also may consider or seek out projects of extraordinary merit in other subject areas related to improvements in the administration of justice. The average size of recent AOJ grants is $12-$15,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Preferences

• Grant proposals that include the following are favored:
  • Demonstrate innovative approaches or new ideas;
  • Benefit Michigan residents;
  • Have potential for independent financial and programmatic continuity;
  • Demonstrate community support, collaboration, partnerships, and links with other entities doing similar work;
  • Avoid duplication of service;
  • Have multiple funding sources;
  • Have potential for applicability or replication in other parts of the state;
  • Include a meaningful evaluation component;
  • Leverage a significant volunteer commitment;
  • Show a history of quality service and fiscal responsibility.
    

Ineligibility

• Grants are not made:
  • To political campaigns or for lobbying or political advocacy;
  • To support religious activities;
    
  • That jeopardize the Foundation’s tax-exempt status.
• Grants are generally not made:
  • To individuals;
  • To endowment or capital campaigns;
  • To repay loans;
  • As a substitute for other funds;
  • For continuing operating support or projects exceeding 3 years;
  • For general overhead costs in excess of 10% of the grant amount.