The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education was established in 1978 by the State Bar of Arizona as a separate nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Since its creation, the Foundation’s mission has been to promote access to justice. One way the Foundation fulfills that mission is by providing financial grants to nonprofit legal service organizations in support of free, civil legal assistance to low-income Arizonans.

As funding allows, the Foundation’s Board of Directors authorizes grant awards to support free civil legal services on a calendar year cycle. Applications for grant funding are usually posted online in mid-September and close within 30 days. Requests for funding are evaluated, and applicants are notified of a grant award in mid-December. The Foundation’s grant term runs from January 1 – December 31, unless otherwise stated.

To be eligible for funding through the Foundation’s grant giving program, nonprofit legal service organizations must:

• Be approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors to receive grant awards. Legal service organizations not already approved to apply for grant funds, may complete a Board Approved Organization Application and return it with a completed grant application or, if outside of the open grant period, any time. For some Foundation grants, applicants must also be recognized by the Arizona Supreme Court as an approved legal service organization.
• Provide civil legal advice, limited scope services, or representation in Arizona to low-income Arizonans at no cost.
• Complete and return the Foundation Grant Giving Program Application and any requested documents, as instructed, by the due date.

The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education is currently accepting grant applications for 2026 until 3:00 p.m. Arizona Time on October 10, 2025.