The Strategic Litigation Grant Project provides monetary grants to cover out-of-pocket litigation costs (such as expert fees, depositions, etc.) to help attorneys bring civil rights and other important cases that otherwise might not move forward.

Project grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000. The Center generally makes grants to cases that fall within the Legal Agenda or are commensurate with its legal history.

The Strategic Litigation Grant Project is for attorneys only. Individuals seeking legal assistance should read the Individual Legal Assistance page.

Many cases selected to receive Center grants have resulted in significant victories for victims of injustice. Examples include:

• A $1.8 million settlement in a housing discrimination case in Mobile, Alabama. A portion of the settlement was used to fund a fair-housing center.
• A successful challenge to Tennessee Medicaid's failure to provide adequate health care benefits to poor children.
• In Atlanta, a successful challenge to the inaccessibility of public transportation to disabled persons.

Applying to the Project
To apply for a grant, attorneys must submit the items below.

1. Cover letter that states:
   
   1. nature of the case;
      
   2. importance of the case;
      
   3. why it would be difficult to bring the case without the Center's financial help;
      
   4. amount requested; and
      
   5. total estimated out-of-pocket case costs.
2. Draft Complaint.
   The Project will consider requests for assistance in cases that have already been filed; however, we prefer to fund new cases.

Please submit Strategic Litigation Grant Project applications by mail to:

The Southern Poverty Law Center
Strategic Grant Litigation Project
P.O. Box 2087
Montgomery, AL 36102

Restrictions:
1. Funds are available only for out-of-pocket case costs – not for attorney's fees or overhead expenses.

2. All grants must be accounted for during the course of litigation. Twice yearly, the Project requests a brief update on the status of cases.

3. The Project will not consider financial assistance requests for cases on appeal that were lost at trial or on summary judgment.

Repayment:
In order to help the Project invest in future cases, we ask that grants be repaid under certain circumstances:

1. If the attorney prevails and is permitted to recover costs, the Project expects the attorney to do so.

2. If a cost item is not allowed but attorney's fees are recovered, the Project expects the attorney to use a portion of the fees to repay the costs note recovered.

3. If the attorney prevails in a case taken on a contingent fee basis, the Project expects to recover its costs in the typical manner.