PBIF Program Description
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) provides grants to civil legal aid projects that support new, robust pro bono partnerships through collaboration, innovation, and replication of effective practices.
Overview
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) offers grants to collaboratively engage more lawyers and other professionals in pro bono service and address gaps in legal services and persistent challenges in the pro bono delivery system. Since 2014, PBIF has invested more than $46,000,000 in 161 projects in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The PBIF program offers four categories of grants: Planning, Project, Sustainability and Transformation.
Eligibility
PBIF only accepts PBIF grant applications-Project, Sustainability, Transformation, and Planning- from legal aid organizations already receiving an LSC Basic Field Grant. PBIF Sustainability grants are only open to former PBIF Project grantees who were awarded a grant within two years before the current funding cycle.
If you are an LSC-funded organization interested in applying, we encourage you to consider developing project models that offer impactful and replicable solutions to persistent challenges in your current pro bono delivery system.
Grants awarded for FY24 officially started on October 1, 2024. You can view the press release and description of these grants here.
The PBIF team has opened the FY2025 Funding Cycle. You can view the Notice of Funding Opportunity [KH1] for more information. Pre-Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2025.
The video links below are an Orientation to each of the grant categories. These orientations provide an overview of the Funding Cycle, as well as information on how to develop successful Pre-Applications.
The PBIF team has prepared Pre-Application tools to assist applicants during drafting.
2025 PBIF Pre-Application Guide
PBIF Pre-Application Action Plan
The PBIF team will host Group Q&A sessions, allowing Applicants to engage with the PBIF team in an open forum. During these sessions, the PBIF team will answer questions about the Pre-Application process, address challenges, and discuss topics relevant to specific proposals and Pre-Applications. Applicants can submit their questions anonymously through this Google Form. The PBIF Team will also answer any pre-submitted anonymous questions during Group Q&A sessions. Interested attendees must register beforehand for Group Q&A Sessions by using this link.
Tuesday, December 3, 3:00 p.m. EST
Tuesday, December 10, 3:00 p.m. EST
Tuesday, December 17, 3:00 p.m. EST
The PBIF Team will host weekly Scheduled Office Hours from December 5, 2024, through January 7, 2025. Scheduled Office Hours give Applicants individual time to meet with the PBIF team. Each appointment is 10 minutes long and requires pre-registration. Applicants must submit their questions two days before their scheduled date to help the PBIF team prepare for the meeting. Additionally, they should indicate who from their organization will attend the session.
This one-on-one time allows Applicants to receive personalized guidance and specific answers to their questions. We encourage organizations to use this opportunity to discuss their unique proposal.
Scheduled Office Hours are available in 10-minute increments on the following dates:
Thursday, December 5, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Thursday, December 12, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Thursday, December 19, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Thursday, January 2, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Tuesday, January 7, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Applicants should email ProBonoInnovation@lsc.gov to schedule their appointments.
The PBIF Funding Cycle is a two-phase process. Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application and then, upon invitation, must submit a Full Application. Generally, Applicants submit a Pre-Application in mid-January, are notified of invitations to submit a Full Application by early- to mid-March, and, if invited, submit a Full Application by May. LSC's President makes the final decision on PBIF grant awards.
Please visit the PBIF "How to Apply" page for detailed information on the current funding cycle, selection criteria, and reporting requirements.