Legal Services Corporation Awards $4.6 Million in Technology Grants to 29 Legal Aid Organizations

WASHINGTON—The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that it is awarding 33 Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) to 29 legal services providers totaling $4,679,135. These organizations will use the funds to leverage technology in delivering high-quality legal assistance to low-income Americans.

Established in 2000, the TIG program distributes grants annually to LSC-funded legal services providers. LSC has awarded 859 grants since the program’s inception—totaling more than $81 million to fund legal technology projects.

Grant recipients have used this funding to enhance cybersecurity, build educational platforms, strengthen program capacity and support the work of pro bono attorneys. Successful TIG projects are often replicated by organizations around the country, creating wide-reaching impacts.

“In the face of our country’s vast justice gap, legal aid providers are constantly looking for tools that will help them provide increased legal assistance to more low-income Americans in critical need,” said LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. “LSC’s Technology Initiative Grants empower our grantees to use technology in innovative ways that strengthen legal services for families facing issues like eviction, domestic violence, and natural disasters.”

Members of Congress congratulated legal aid organizations in their states and districts for receiving TIG funding.

“Access to quality legal services, regardless of one’s financial status, helps advance justice for everyone,” said Senator Susan Collins. “By supporting Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s efforts to make legal documents and other resources easily available online, this funding will help low-income Mainers protect their rights.”

“The Montana Legal Services Association helps ensure that justice is accessible to folks across our state – no matter their income,” said Senator Jon Tester. “Their services provide assistance to seniors, veterans, and others who need a helping hand when navigating the legal system. This funding will help modernize Montana Legal Services Association systems, allowing them to strengthen their cybersecurity, expand their resources, and improve services for their clients.”

“Helping domestic violence survivors is notable and inspiring work, and I am pleased that Legal Services of Oklahoma has received two substantial grants to continue its vital mission by creating an online portal to expand access and services to victims,” said Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4). “Indeed, this database tool will greatly assist attorneys, survivors and advocates in their work together to provide safety and justice for survivors.”

“I am so excited to recognize Legal Services Corporation (LSC) for awarding two Technology Initiative Grants to Legal Aid of Northwest Texas and Lone Star Legal Aid. These grants in the amounts of $35,000 and $285,929.60, respectively, will enable these organizations to further their missions to provide access to justice for all,” said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18).

“I would like to thank LSC for this generous investment in legal aid. LANWT will use the grant to implement cybersecurity controls and LSLA will develop software to keep legal information websites in Texas up to date,” Rep. Jackson Lee continued. “The impact these grants will have on those in our communities who need it most cannot be overstated. Legal aid helps to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, can access the legal system when necessary. Thank you, LSC, for your dedication to those in need!”

This year’s TIG recipients are using tech tools in several different aspects of their service delivery. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida will enhance its 24/7 chatbot initiative to automatically disseminate basic information about its services and connect users to relevant resources. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma will develop a statewide website portal for domestic violence survivors, allowing them to collaborate with attorneys remotely on protective orders and other key legal documents.

Many organizations including Legal Services Alabama, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Community Legal Aid of Massachusetts, Michigan Advocacy Program, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, and Legal Services Vermont are developing and implementing self-help resources that guide people through the steps to resolve their legal issue and often help them complete the correct documentation to file in court.

The 2022 TIG projects are:

Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS)

Funding Amount: $31,343.12

Description: CALS will conduct a thorough audit of the organization’s hardware, applications, and technology protocols while establishing a roadmap for improving security, building upon recent improvements to its IT infrastructure strengthened with funds received from LSC’s disaster appropriation.

For a full list, click here.

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Contact

Carl Rauscher
Director of Communications and Media Relations for LSC
rauscherc@lsc.gov
202-295-1615