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Access to Justice Fund

Supports nonprofit access to justice projects

Offered by
The Law Foundation of Ontario
Official source: lawfoundation.on.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Nonprofit organizations
See full eligibility

Overview

The Access to Justice Fund supports nonprofit organizations across Canada with grants of up to $100,000 for access to justice projects. It funds public legal education, triage and brief services with referrals, plus projects addressing Indigenous Peoples’ legal needs or refugees.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$100,000
Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Newcomers to Canada
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • Canadians
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Social Services
Target groups
General public, Indigenous peoples, New immigrants & refugees
Revenue structures
100% donations / grants
Scope
National

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

New responsive call date posted

The Open call for applications page now shows a Responsive Call for Applications with a June 22, 2026 date, indicating updated intake timing for the Access to Justice Fund.

See more

The Open call for applications page now shows a Responsive Call for Applications dated June 22, 2026. The page also says the 2026 call is coming soon, so the Access to Justice Fund’s intake timing has shifted.

Official source: lawfoundation.on.ca
July 4, 2026

Eligibility

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 expenses normally paid for research projects by post-secondary institutions.
  • Student research assistants.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Litigation.
  • Costs directly related to lobbying or to advocating or promoting a particular position on a legal or public policy issue.
  • Indirect costs imposed by universities and colleges to recover administrative overhead for the project.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Across Canada

Activities funded

  • Public legal education, triage, brief services, and referrals, including tools to assist self-represented litigants.
  • Projects addressing Indigenous Peoples’ legal needs.
  • Projects supporting refugees’ legal needs.

How to apply

  • Read the FAQ.
  • Read the sample letter of agreement.
  • Discuss your project with Tiffany Smith, Grants Manager.
  • Complete the Letter of Intent and Part I only of the application form and email them to atjf@lawfoundation.on.ca by the deadline.
  • If your Letter of Intent is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application.

Documents Needed

  • Letter of Intent
  • Part I of the application form

Selection criteria

  • The Foundation will consider applications that support access to justice.
  • The Foundation will consider applications that clearly address the legal needs targeted by the call.
  • The Foundation will consider applications that fit within its mandate and are consistent with its vision, mission, and approach.
  • The Foundation will consider applications where the applicant has the skills and experience to plan and carry out the project.
  • The Foundation will consider applications where the applicant is ready to be fully accountable for granted funds.

Processing and Agreement

  • The process has two stages: a Letter of Intent first, then a full application by invitation only.
  • Only applicants whose Letter of Intent is approved are invited to submit a full application.
  • All granting decisions are made by the Board of Trustees.
  • Approved applicants must review and sign a standard Letter of Agreement.
  • All grantees must submit a final report to receive the final grant instalment.

Additional information

  • The ATJF was created in 2009 after a $14.6 million cy-près award in Cassano v TD Bank.
  • The Foundation has received additional cy-près awards, allowing the ATJF to operate as a permanent fund available to receive cy-près awards on an ongoing basis.
  • When existing cy-près awards are spent, ATJF grantmaking ends and continues only if further cy-près awards are received.

Contacts

atjf@lawfoundation.on.ca
416-598-1550 x 309

Official sources

Access to Justice Fund

Application form

Access to Justice Fund 2020 Application Form
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Access to Justice Fund Program

What is the Access to Justice Fund?

The Access to Justice Fund supports nonprofit organizations across Canada with grants of up to $100,000 for access to justice projects. It funds public legal education, triage and brief services with referrals, plus projects addressing Indigenous Peoples’ legal needs or refugees.

How much funding can be received?

Access to Justice Fund Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Access to Justice Fund program?

To be eligible for the Access to Justice Fund program, you must: Nonprofit organizations, universities, or community colleges Project must include a legal component Projects may be local, regional, provincial, or national

What expenses are eligible under Access to Justice Fund?

Core operating costs directly related to the project. Research expenses normally paid for research projects by post-secondary institutions. Student research assistants.

Who can I contact for more information about the Access to Justice Fund?

You can contact The Law Foundation of Ontario by email at atjf@lawfoundation.on.ca or by phone at 416-598-1550 x 309.

Where is the Access to Justice Fund available?

The Access to Justice Fund program is available across Canada.

Is the Access to Justice Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Access to Justice Fund is a Grant and Funding