CHICAGO, July 29, 2021 — The ABA Military and Veterans Legal Center (MVLC) announced today that it has awarded a total of $100,000 in ABA Veterans Legal Assistance Grants to these organizations:
- Metroplex Military Charitable Trust: $40,000
- San Antonio Legal Services Association: $40,000
- Houston Volunteer Lawyers: $20,000
In 2021, the center accepted grant applications from nonprofit organizations with projects based in Texas that deliver legal services to veterans primarily in Texas. Up to three organizations could receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000.
The MVLC created the grant program so that state and local programs can better meet the legal needs of underserved veteran populations within their communities. To help fund the grants, the ABA received a donation from a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. The ABA received this funding as a result of the 2016-17 ABA Veterans Legal Services Initiative.
In evaluating proposals, preference was given to programs that meet at least one of the grant’s three primary objectives:
- Providing outreach and legal services
- Collaborating with other legal services
- Creating or improving referral databases
“Throughout cities and states, there are many experienced nonprofit legal organizations that assist our veterans,” ABA President Patricia Lee Refo said. “These local organizations are aware of veterans’ legal needs, along with – if they have appropriate funding – how they can help fill the specific local access-to-justice gaps for veterans in their communities. These ABA grants provide helpful boosts to further meet our veterans’ legal needs.”
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