Foundation Grants
Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.
The Civics Grant Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that promote a wider public understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system and the rule of law. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity), and other organizations to develop and support projects in their communities that foster public understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, particularly among younger Americans.
Eligibility
Eligible projects must align with the Foundation’s mission, which is to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law. Eligible civics grants projects include civics education efforts in schools and courthouses and essay contests. For the purposes of these grants, “education” refers to programs directed to members of the community and not continuing legal education for attorneys. Non-FBA entity applicants are encouraged to collaborate with an FBA entity on proposed projects. FBA law student chapters must collaborate with a professional chapter for a project to be eligible for a grant. Grant awards for joint projects between law student chapters and professional chapters will be issued exclusively to the professional chapter.
Application Cycle
The FY26 Civics Grants Program application cycle is now open. Grant applications are due by 5 pm ET, December 15, 2025. Grant awards will be announced on or before January 31, 2026. While priority is given to applications received by the deadline, the Foundation will consider applications received after the deadline, subject to funding availability. Applications received after the deadline will be considered by the Foundation as quickly as reasonable. The Foundation reserves the right to make the final decision on all applications.
Funding
In the FY26 (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025) grant cycle, the Foundation has $40,000 in funds available for the Civics Grants Program. The maximum grant award is $10,000. Grant awards must be used within 12 months of the award date. Priority will be given to those applicants who have not previously received a grant within the last grant cycle. Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.
The grant recipient is required to note in project materials that the project is funded by the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. The grant recipient is obligated to use the Foundation grant for the purposes described in the grant application. If the grant is not used for its intended purpose within 12 months of the grant award date, the recipient must return the grant money in full to the Foundation. Any unused funds must be returned to the Foundation.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted online. A grant application should not be overly lengthy, but must include the following:
1. Program Description. State briefly why the applicant is applying for a grant, why the project meets the grant objective, and how the project will benefit the community. Describe the community’s need for the project, how the applicant learned about the need, and how the applicant selected the specific project.
2. Objectives. Define the objectives of the project, including the target population, anticipated benefits, methods of implementation, and expected results. Please also describe any corollary benefits to the applicant’s stakeholders, such as enhanced collegiality, stronger professional networks, or a deeper sense of a shared purpose.
3. Budget. Provide the program budget, including:
- How the grant funds will be spent;
- Sources of other project funds; and
- How other funds will be raised.
4. Participation. Define how the applicant’s stakeholders will participate in the project.
5. Timeline. Define the project milestones and identify whether there are any plans for continued project support after exhaustion of the grant funds.
6. Promotion. Define the efforts planned to promote and publicize the project, including support by other organizations.
7. Applicant Involvement with the Foundation and FBA. Describe the applicant’s prior involvement with the Foundation and the FBA, if any, including the receipt of previous grants.
8. Evaluation. Define how the applicant will evaluate the success of the program.
9. Follow-up. The grant recipient is obligated to file the Project Follow-Up Report no later than two (2) months after the conclusion of the project. Affirm that the grant recipient will complete the Follow-up Report, including:
- Short summary of the success of the program that includes the program’s anticipated impact on understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system, and the rule of law;
- Photos and/or videos (and any applicable photo/video releases) and other materials about the project. The Foundation reserves the right to use these materials in its Annual Report and other communication efforts; and
- A financial report that explains whether the project met, exceeded, or was under budget and if project funding was received from other sources.
The Community Outreach Grants Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that provide legal services in local communities. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity) and other organizations to develop and support projects that make a lasting impact on their communities.
Eligibility
Eligible projects must align with the Foundation’s mission, which is to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law. Eligible community service grant projects include, for example, legal aid services and veterans legal assistance programs. For the purposes of these grants, “education” refers to projects directed to members of the community and not continuing legal education for attorneys, unless associated with an initiative such as the SUPPORT Act that requires continuing legal education in the promotion of legal services within a given community. Non-FBA entity applicants are encouraged to collaborate with an FBA entity on proposed projects. FBA law student chapters must collaborate with a professional chapter for a project to be eligible for a grant. Grant awards for joint projects between law student chapters and professional chapters will be issued exclusively to the professional chapter.
Application Cycle
The FY26 Community Outreach Grants Program application cycle is now open. Grant applications are due by 5 pm ET, December 15, 2025. Grant awards will be announced on or before January 31, 2026. While priority is given to applications received by the deadline, the Foundation will consider applications received after the deadline, subject to funding availability. Applications received after the deadline will be considered by the Foundation as quickly as reasonable. The Foundation reserves the right to make the final decision on all applications.
Funding
In the FY26 (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025) grant cycle, the Foundation has $35,000 in funds available for the Community Outreach Grants Program. The maximum grant award is $10,000. Grant awards must be used within 12 months of the award date. Priority will be given to those applicants who have not previously received a grant within the last grant cycle. Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.
The grant recipient is required to note in project materials that the project is funded by the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. The grant recipient is obligated to use the Foundation grant for the purposes described in the grant application. If the grant is not used for its intended purpose within 12 months of the grant award date, the recipient must return the grant money in full to the Foundation. Any unused funds must be returned to the Foundation.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted online. A grant application should not be overly lengthy, but must include the following:
1. Program Description. State briefly why the applicant is applying for a grant, why the project meets the grant objective, and how the project will benefit the community. Describe the community’s need for the project, how the applicant learned about the need, and how the applicant selected the specific project.
2. Objectives. Define the objectives of the project, including the target population, anticipated benefits, methods of implementation, and expected results. Please also describe any corollary benefits to the applicant’s stakeholders, such as enhanced collegiality, stronger professional networks, or a deeper sense of a shared purpose.
3. Budget. Provide the program budget, including: • How the grant funds will be spent;
- Sources of other project funds; and
- How other funds will be raised.
4. Participation. Define how the applicant’s stakeholders will participate in the project.
5. Timeline. Define the project milestones and identify whether there are any plans for continued project support after exhaustion of the grant funds.
6. Promotion. Define the efforts planned to promote and publicize the project, including support by other organizations.
7. Applicant Involvement with the Foundation and FBA. Describe the applicant’s prior involvement with the Foundation and the FBA, if any, including the receipt of previous grants.
8. Evaluation. Define how the applicant will evaluate the success of the program.
9. Follow-up. The grant recipient is obligated to file the Project Follow-Up Report no later than two (2) months after the conclusion of the project. Affirm that the grant recipient will complete the Follow-up Report, including:
- Short summary of the success of the program that includes the program’s anticipated impact on understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system, and the rule of law;
- Photos and/or videos (and any applicable photo/video releases) and other materials about the project. The Foundation reserves the right to use these materials in its Annual Report and other communication efforts; and
- A financial report that explains whether the project met, exceeded, or was under budget and if project funding was received from other sources.
The Pathways to the Profession Grant Program is designed to support educational, community service, or outreach projects and initiatives that support pathway programs and events that encourage high school, college and law school students, and newer lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue and succeed in a legal career through educational, networking, mentorship programs and other opportunities. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity) and other organizations to develop and support projects that make a lasting impact on their communities.
Eligibility
Eligible projects must align with the Foundation’s mission, which is to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law. Non-FBA entity applicants are encouraged to collaborate with an FBA entity on proposed projects. FBA law student chapters must collaborate with a professional chapter for a project to be eligible for a grant. Grant awards for joint projects between law student chapters and professional chapters will be issued exclusively to the professional chapter.
Application Cycle
The FY26 Pathways to the Profession Grants Program application cycle is now open. Grant applications are due by 5 pm ET, December 15, 2025. Grant awards will be announced on or before January 31, 2026. While priority is given to applications received by the deadline, the Foundation will consider applications received after the deadline, subject to funding availability. Applications received after the deadline will be considered by the Foundation as quickly as reasonable. The Foundation reserves the right to make the final decision on all applications.
Funding
In the FY26 (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025) grant cycle, the Foundation has $45,000 in funds available for the Pathways to the Profession Grants Program. The maximum grant award is $10,000. Grant awards must be used within 12 months of the award date. Priority will be given to those applicants who have not previously received a grant within the last grant cycle. Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.
The grant recipient is required to note in project materials that the project is funded by the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. The grant recipient is obligated to use the Foundation grant for the purposes described in the grant application. If the grant is not used for its intended purpose within 12 months of the grant award date, the recipient must return the grant money in full to the Foundation. Any unused funds must be returned to the Foundation.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted online. A grant application should not be overly lengthy, but must include the following:
1. Program Description. State briefly why the applicant is applying for a grant, why the project meets the grant objective, and how the project will benefit the community and the legal profession. Describe the community’s need for the project, how the applicant learned about the need, and how the applicant selected the specific project.
2. Objectives. Define the objectives of the project, including the target population, anticipated benefits, methods of implementation, and expected results. Please also describe any corollary benefits to the applicant’s stakeholders, such as enhanced collegiality, stronger professional networks, or a deeper sense of a shared purpose.
3. Budget. Provide the program budget, including: • How the grant funds will be spent;
- Sources of other project funds; and
- How other funds will be raised.
4. Participation. Define how the applicant’s stakeholders will participate in the project.
5. Timeline. Define the project milestones and identify whether there are any plans for continued project support after exhaustion of the grant funds.
6. Promotion. Define the efforts planned to promote and publicize the project, including support by other organizations.
7. Applicant Involvement with the Foundation and FBA. Describe the applicant’s prior involvement with the Foundation and the FBA, if any, including the receipt of previous grants.
8. Evaluation. Define how the applicant will evaluate the success of the program.
9. Follow-up. The grant recipient is obligated to file the Project Follow-Up Report no later than two (2) months after the conclusion of the project. Affirm that the grant recipient will complete the Follow-up Report, including:
- Short summary of the success of the program that includes the program’s anticipated impact on understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system, and the rule of law;
- Photos and/or videos (and any applicable photo/video releases) and other materials about the project. The Foundation reserves the right to use these materials in its Annual Report and other communication efforts; and
- A financial report that explains whether the project met, exceeded, or was under budget and if project funding was received from other sources.
