U.S. Department of Justice: Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program

The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program (LAV) is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 and older) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. Comprehensive legal services should address the broad spectrum of legal issues that victims encounter and help promote economic independence for victims. In addition to representation in emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings, this includes representation in family matters (divorce, child custody, or child support), consumer or housing matters, and credit restoration.

Funds under this program must be used for one or more of the following purposes:

1. To implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault victim service providers and legal assistance providers to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault
2. To implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims
3. To implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide competent supervised pro bono legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, except that not more than 10 percent of the funds awarded may be used for this purpose

Amount: Approximately $34,000,000 is available to make up to 56 awards ranging from $600,000-$800,000 for a period of performance of 36 months.

Eligibility: Private nonprofit entities; Indian tribal governments, including tribal consortia; tribal organizations; territorial organizations; and publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity such as law schools. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are also eligible to receive awards.

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=322640

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