Past Infrastructure & Innovation Grants

Grant Year 2022-2023

For the second year, the State appropriated $5,000,000 through the Judicial Council for the California Access to Justice Commission (CalATJ) to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal aid to indigent persons. These funds are to support infrastructure and innovation in organizations that provide legal services to create access to justice in civil matters.

The California Access to Justice Commission received 73 proposals seeking over $11 million in State Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grant Funds. Of the 73 proposals, the Commission has awarded 48 grants, including to 20 organizations that did not receive grant funds last year. Please review the Award Information for details about each grantee’s project. Grant resources are available here.

Please email grants@CalATJ.org if you would like to be put on a mailing list for future information about grant opportunities.

The 2022-2023 Grant Review Committee members brought strong diverse backgrounds and both legal aid and social service expertise. The persons below served on the Grant Review Committee:

Catherine Blakemore, Chair
Maria Blanco
Nikki Dinh
Janis Hirohama
Judge Andi Mudryk
Crystal O’Brien
Jane Ribadeneyra
Chris Schneider
Rachel P. Williams
Lucas Wright

Selection was extremely challenging due to the high caliber of the grant applications. The number and strength of the applications demonstrates yet again that there is an overwhelming need for these infrastructure and innovation funds. We look forward to watching the projects unfold as grantees submit quarterly reports on progress made during the year.

Grant Year 2021-2022

In order to improve equal access and the fair administration of justice, the State appropriated $5,000,000 through the Judicial Council for the California Access to Justice Commission to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal services to indigent persons to be used to support the infrastructure and innovation needs of legal services in civil matters for indigent persons.

The California Access to Justice Commission received compelling and impressive proposals for Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation projects. Whether posited as an “infrastructure” or an “innovation” grant, these grants have potential for far-reaching impact, and serve a range of constituencies, including immigrants, seniors, veterans, workers, children, and students. 

Of the 69 letters of intent received, the Access to Justice Commission has awarded 47  grants. Please feel free to review the Award Information for details about each grantee’s project.

The 2021-2022 Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grants Selection Committee was comprised of members with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. The Selection Committee met over the course of five months to carefully review and select recommended grant recipients for Executive Committee approval. Learn more about the 2021-2022 Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grants Selection Committee.