Access to Justice Fund

• Letter of Intent
• Application form
• Supporting documents requested in the call, if applicable

Who is eligible?

• Nonprofit organizations
• Universities
• Community colleges
• Indigenous governmental organizations

Who is not eligible

• Commercial ventures
• Government-run projects or programs
• Individuals

Eligible expenses

• Core operating costs directly related to the project.
• Research project expenses normally paid by post-secondary institutions for research projects.
• Student research assistant wages.
• Project expenses tied to piloting an adapted or new delivery model for an existing program.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Litigation costs.
• Costs directly related to lobbying, advocacy, or promoting a particular legal or public policy position.
• Course release costs or replacement instructor costs for university research projects.
• Compensation for full-time faculty for research within their normal research agenda or institutional duties.
• Indirect administrative overhead charged by universities or colleges.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• The project supports access to justice.
• The project clearly addresses the legal needs targeted by the call.
• The project fits the Foundation’s mandate and is consistent with its vision, mission, and approach.
• The applicant demonstrates the skills and experience to plan and carry out the project.
• The applicant can be fully accountable for the funds granted.

• Step 1: Monitor funding calls
  • Check the Open call for applications webpage for current opportunities.
  • Subscribe to the funder’s newsletter to hear about new calls.
• Step 2: Prepare the initial submission
  • Complete the Letter of Intent.
  • Complete Part I of the application form.
  • Address the required questions on the proposed work, impact, importance, and budget amount.
• Step 3: Submit the Letter of Intent
  • Send the Letter of Intent and Part I of the application form by email to the address indicated in the call.
• Step 4: Complete the full application if invited
  • Wait for an invitation from the Foundation to submit a full application.
  • Provide any additional information requested during assessment.

• Letters of Intent are reviewed first to determine whether a full application will be invited.
• Staff may request further information during the assessment process.
• Invited full applications are presented to the Board of Trustees for a funding decision.
• Some applications may be reviewed confidentially by an outside expert.
• Approved applicants must sign a Letter of Agreement, and reporting is required before final payment.

• The fund is national and supports projects that may be local, regional, provincial, or national in scope.
• Joint applications are accepted, and one lead organization must assume accountability for the grant.
• The fund’s priority themes vary from one call for applications to another.
• The fund continues only if further cy-près awards are received.