How to Apply for a PBIF Grant
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) provides grants to LSC grantees for civil legal aid projects that support new, robust pro bono partnerships through collaboration, innovation, and replication of effective practices.
Current Funding Cycle Announcements
The PBIF FY2023 Funding Cycle opened in mid-November 2022. Resource Guides for each grant category were sent to executive directors of LSC grantees on November 18, 2023. The PBIF Team hosted an initial webinar on December 7, 2022. The deadline to submit a PBIF Pre-Application was January 27, 2023. The deadline for those invited to submit a Full Application is May 1, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST.
Questions about the FY2023 Funding Cycle can be directed to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov.
2023 Application Timeline
| Date | Event |
| 11/18/2022 | Grant Program Announcement Date |
| 12/7/2022 | Pre-Application Webinar |
|
12/7/2022 - 12/23/2022 |
Technical Assistance Calls with PBIF Team |
| 1/27/2023 | Pre-Application Due Date |
| 3/15/2023 | Invitations to Submit Full Applications |
| 3/15/2023 | Full Application Instructions Issued |
| 5/1/2023 | Full Application Due Date |
Application Overview
The PBIF Funding Cycle is a two-phase process. Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application to LSC by mid-January to be considered for a PBIF Grant. After a review by LSC staff, LSC's President makes the final decision to invite select applicants to submit a Full Application. Applicants will be notified of invitations to submit a Full Application by early- to mid-March, and Full Applications are due to LSC in the GrantEase system by May. Each Full Application will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff and subject matter experts. LSC's President makes the final decision on Pro Bono Innovation Fund awards.
Please see below for detailed steps on how to complete a 2023 PBIF Pre-Application.
The PBIF Team has created Resource Guides for each grant category that provide general information, resources to develop your proposal, and tools that allow you to draft your Pre-Application outside GrantEase, LSC's grants management system. Please use this link to access the Resource Guides.
LSC hosted the Pre-Application Webinar on December 7, 2022, from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST. This webinar introduced applicants to the PBIF program, highlighted the application process, and answered participant questions.
The regional PBIF Program Counsel are available for training and technical assistance during the application process. We encourage applicants to schedule calls to discuss their ideas, thoughts, and questions on the process and their proposals. Please use the below Calendly link to schedule a call.
The Pre-Application was live in GrantEase on December 13, 2022. The Pre-Application requires responses to narrative questions for the category in which you are interested, as well as a high-level budget.
Please use the Resource Guides (link in Step 1) to assist in developing your Pre-Application offline and entering information into GrantEase. All Pre-Applications must be submitted by January 27, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Step 1. Access to GrantEase System
Your licensed GrantEase user will receive an email on or around March 15, 2023, providing access to the Full Application in GrantEase. Please email probonoinnovation@lsc.gov if your GrantEase user doesn’t have access to the Full Application in GrantEase by Monday, March 20, 2023.
Step 2. Review the Full Application Resource Guides
The PBIF Team prepared comprehensive Full Application Guides for each Grant Type.
Step 3. Sign Up for Techincal Assistance
We want to provide you with substantive feedback on important areas to develop your proposal before submitting your Full Application. We strongly encourage your entire project team to participate in the call. Please contact probonoinnovation@lsc.gov to schedule a time for this call.
Step 4. Attend the PBIF Full Application Webinar
The full application webinar is scheduled for April 19th, 2013 from 2:30-3:30pm via Zoom.
Step 5. Submit Full Applications with GrantEase
The Full Application was live in GrantEase on March 15, 2023. The Project, Sustainability and Transformation grant Full Application requires responses to narrative questions for the category in which you are interested, as well as a line-item budget. Please see the Full Application Guide for instructions on submitting the Planning Grant Full Application.
Please use the Resource Guides (link in Step 2) to assist in developing your Application offline and entering information into GrantEase. All Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The PBIF Team has developed resources to assist in the development and drafting of your Pre-Application.
- Resource Guide for each category
- Introduction to Pre-Application Webinar: Recording Link and Presentation Link
Join the PBIF Contact List
If you are an LSC grantee and would like to be invited to PBIF programming and events, please enter your contact information into our Contact List. You can also confirm your organization's current contacts through this link.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Should you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the PBIF Team.