Specialized Legal Services Grant Program
These discretionary grants – often referred to as “zone grants” – support the delivery of specialized legal services to targeted groups of people such as the disabled, non-English speaking communities, and victims of domestic violence. Funding is allocated to geographic zones based on the proportion of people living in poverty throughout the state. Applicants compete with one another in the zone where the proposed services would be delivered. Learn more about the geographic boundaries of our funding zones by viewing the IOLTA Funding Zone Map.
A Qualified Recipient must:
- Be a not-for-profit Pennsylvania Corporation.
- Be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Operate primarily within Pennsylvania.
- Have as its primary purpose* the provision of civil legal services without charge.
*An organization meets the primary purpose test if it expends at least 50% of its total audited resources (including the audited value of pro bono legal services) on the delivery of free civil legal services to Pennsylvanians living at or below 187.5% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Applications for the grant year beginning July 1, 2024 closed on December 15, 2023. Applications for the 2025-2026 grant cycle will open on November 12, 2024.
Applicants are invited to view instructions for completing the grant application at IOLTA Specialized Legal Services (Zone) Grant Application – Instructions.
Applicants must sign and submit a Signed Assurances Page with their application.
Application and reporting cycles for the Specialized Legal Services (Zone) Grant are managed using an online grants management system.
Learn more about using our online system through this technical support guide.
Discover the geographic boundaries of our funding zones by viewing the IOLTA Funding Zone Map.
For Period Ending September 30, reports are due by October 31.
For Period Ending December 31, reports are due by January 31.
For Period Ending March 31, reports are due by April 30.
For Period Ending June 30, reports are due by July 31.
Audit reports are due to the Board no later than October 15, 2024.
The deadline for budget amendment requests is May 31, 2024.