The federal government has an essential responsibility to fund legal aid and related access to justice initiatives as part of its obligation to properly fund the judicial branch. Within our federal advocacy efforts, the CBF promotes adequate funding for legal aid programs and increased transparency, accountability and fairness in how federal funds are allocated to legal aid programs.

As initial background, there are two major means through which the federal government funds legal aid: (1) the Legal Services Corporation; and (2) legal assistance programs that are part of broader programs administered by the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal agencies.

The CBF’s specific federal advocacy efforts concentrate on the follow priorities:

Increase funding for the Legal Services Corporation (click here for more information)

Remove unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on Legal Services Corporation grantees (click here for more information)

Increase funding for legal aid programs in other federal agencies and improve transparency and accountability of the grant application processes for these programs (click here for more information)

For more information on The Chicago Bar Foundation’s advocacy work relating to federal funding of legal aid programs and to get involved, please contact Danielle Hirsch at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 312-554-4952.