Organizations We Fund Grant Programs Donate Now

 

Grantmaking and Grantee Assessment

Community Based Civil Legal Services (formerly Legal Assistance for the Poor)

Supported primarily by IOTA funds, FFLA’s grants are awarded to a network of about 35 local, not-for-profit legal aid programs. Together, this network provides at least basic access to the justice system for individuals and families residing in every county in Florida. Grants support a broad range of legal assistance for low-income Floridians, including family law, housing, individual rights, consumer, and income maintenance. Funding levels for general support grants are based on the number of poor persons in the county who meet financial eligibility guidelines. Grants also support legal assistance for specific client services and serve specific client groups.

Grantmaking Policies and Criteria

FFLA has adopted general funding and grantmaking policies that guide and direct grant decisions and the grantmaking process. FFLA has also adopted specific eligibility criteria for its grants. Generally these require, among other things, that applicants be tax-exempt organizations, that eligible clients have incomes below 125% of the federal poverty level and that applicants be staffed by a full-time attorney or have access to the equivalent of a full-time attorney. Grant applications are reviewed by FFLA staff and board members. Staff recommendations are submitted to FFLA’s Grants Committee for review and consideration. The committee makes grant recommendations to FFLA’s board of directors for final decision.

FFLA Grantmaking Policy

FFLA Carryover Policy

FFLA Publication Credit Acknowledgement of Funding Policy

FFLA Conflict of Interest Policy

Grantee Program Assessment

FFLA has developed an intensive process to assess the quality of grantees’ services provided to clients, make key decisions about future funding, achieve closer links between local bars and the IOTA program, assist legal services providers to improve delivery, and ensure that IOTA funds provide efficient and effective services to those in need. Periodic statistical and other narrative reports, financial audits, on-site visits and on-going information sharing and contacts are included within these activities.