Foundation Awards $6.055 Million to Nonprofit Civil Legal Service Providers

The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, the largest funder of civil legal services in Ohio, has announced funding awards to nonprofit civil legal service providers across the state totaling $6.055 million.

“We are thrilled to be able to support the transformative work of Ohio civil legal service providers to uplift low-income Ohioans and strengthen their communities,” said Foundation Executive Director Angie Lloyd.

Pilot General Operating for Specialty Service Providers

The Foundation is pleased to pilot a general operating program for nonprofit civil legal service providers who serve special populations. The Foundation approved grants for the following civil legal service providers totaling $1.29 million.

Asian Services in Action – $75,000
Catholic Charities Corp. (Cleveland) – $300,000
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio – $150,000
Community Refugee and Immigration Services – $150,000
Equality Ohio – $150,000
International Institute of Akron – $100,000
LegalWorks – $100,000
Social Services for the Arab Community – $75,000
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants – $100,000
US Together – $90,000

Neighborhood Stabilization Phase Two: Housing

The Foundation approved phase two of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which funds projects to improve housing equity in low-income communities. The Foundation approved grants for the following civil legal service providers totaling $980,000.

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality – $245,000
Community Legal Aid – $170,000
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio – $200,000
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati – $165,000
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland – $200,000

Legal Services for Veterans 2025

The Foundation will continue its funding program to expand access to legal services for veterans. The Foundation approved grants for the following civil legal service providers, totaling $550,000.

Community Legal Aid – $100,000
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio – $100,000
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati – $75,000
Legal Aid of Western Ohio – $100,000
Pro Seniors – $75,000
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland – $100,000

Statewide Immigration Collaboration

The Foundation is funding a statewide immigration collaboration amongst the following grantees to provide critical immigration legal services to stabilize Ohio’s growing immigrant populations. The Foundation approved grants for the following providers, totaling $1,380,012.

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality – $250,000
Catholic Charities Corp. (Cleveland) – $100,012
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio – $100,000
Community Legal Aid – $75,000
International Institute of Akron – $225,000
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio – $175,000
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati – $25,000
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants – $230,000
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland – $200,000

Additional grants awarded to civil legal service nonprofits include:

A grant to develop statewide forms and articles for Adult Guardianship on the Ohio Legal Help website.

Ohio Legal Help – $55,500

A grant to support the operation and continuous improvement of the Ohio Legal Help website.

Ohio Legal Help – $750,000

A grant to provide legal services to agricultural workers and immigrants throughout Ohio.

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality – $700,000

A grant to provide general operating funding for the Ohio Poverty Law Center to educate decision-makers and advance policies that benefit low-income Ohioans.