Investing in justice for all.
More than 11% of families in Allegheny County and 19% of families in the City of Pittsburgh live in poverty and struggle to get basic necessities for themselves and their families. Even those who have a slightly higher income may be unable to afford major expenses, including quality legal representation.
“In Pennsylvania, 43% of individuals who sought free legal assistance could not get help due to a lack of available programs and resources.“
– Pennsylvania General Assembly
The ACBF supports organizations in Allegheny County that are working to close the justice gap through innovative programs and projects. Each year, the Foundation awards grants made possible by the members of Fellows GIVE in an effort to sustain and expand the legal assistance available to residents of Allegheny County who otherwise could not afford representation. In 2022, the Foundation’s Fellows awarded $60,000 in grants to 6 legal aid programs of varying focus, including refugee services, support for survivors of intimate partner violence, access to education, tenants rights, and more projects that are meeting crucial and urgent needs in our community.
“Every dollar invested in legal aid produces up to $12 in economic benefit to the community over time.“
– Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts Board
Fixed-amount grant awards are distributed annually to approved grantees. Each application cycle, there will be a set number of grant awards available at the same amount. In the 2023 cycle, there are 6 grant awards available at $10,000 each.
Grant Information
Application Process and Timeline
The grant application process involves two rounds: first, a Letter of Inquiry submitted online; second, an opportunity for invited applicants to pitch the program in-person to ACBF Fellows, who fund the grants program. Pitches will be delivered live at a private event, and Fellows will vote on the programs they want to fund after hearing the proposals. Pitches will be limited to 3-5 minutes in length, and applicants are encouraged to think creatively on how to propose their program. Audio/Visual technology is not permitted for the pitches – please, no keynotes. Information from the LOI will be published for ACBF Fellows to review ahead of the pitch event to get a basic understanding of the organization and the proposed project/program.
The ACBF grant timeline will be as follows:
- August 1: Online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) form opens for submission
- September 12: Deadline for LOI submissions
- Mid-September: ACBF Grants Committee meets to vet applications for mission alignment
- September 25: Applicants receive notice of approval or denial to move to live pitch round
- October 25: Pitch event takes place; ACBF Fellows vote on proposals; grant recipients announced following the event
Submit your organization’s Letter of Inquiry using the online LOI form. Please do not use your own form. It is anticipated that grant funds will be distributed in January 2024.
If you have any questions or issues in the application process, please contact Stephanie Selya at 412-402-6674 or [email protected].
Past Recipients
- 2020 grant recipients
- 2019 grant recipients
- 2018 grant recipients
- 2017 grant recipients
- 2016 grant recipients
- 2015 grant recipients
- 2014 grant recipients
- 2013 grant recipients
- 2012 grant recipients
- 2011 grant recipients
For Current Grantees
Grant reports are requested by January 31 of the year following your grant term. All grant reports are now submitted online. Please use the form below to submit your report; do not use your own form.
Contact Stephanie Selya at [email protected] with any questions.
When we come together to invest in justice, we can make an even bigger impact. Learn more about becoming a changemaker by joining Fellows GIVE.