Closed
Source verified August 11, 2026
Access to Justice Fund
Supports nonprofit access to justice projects
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Latest source updateLast Update: July 4, 2026Latest change: 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.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 4, 2026
Latest change: 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.
New responsive call date posted
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.
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
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.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
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
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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.
Documents Needed
- Letter of Intent
- Part I of the application form
Official resources
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
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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