Frequently Asked Questions about Grants
Q: What do you fund?
A: The Impact Fund provides funding for public interest litigation that will potentially benefit a large number of people, lead to significant law reform, or raise the public consciousness. Impact litigation, including class actions, generally meets these criteria (see Grant Criteria).
Q: Do you have specific priority areas?
A: Yes! Grants are made in the general areas of poverty law, environmental justice and civil and human rights (see Grant Priority Areas).
Q: What is the average grant size?
A: The Impact Fund provides grants ranging from $5,000 - $15,000. The maximum grant amount awarded for any one-year period is $25,000.
Q: How often are grants awarded?
A: The Impact Fund awards grants four times a year. Grant Deadlines vary according to the schedule of our Board of Advisors meetings. Please check our Grants Deadlines page for upcoming deadlines.
Q: Can I just send you a proposal?
A: Proposals are accepted by invitation only. In order to be invited to submit a proposal, grantees must first submit a Pre-Application (see How to Apply page).
Q: How long does it take to receive a grant?
A: Once a Pre-Application (How to Apply) has been submitted, the applicant will receive notification, by email, within 10 to 15 working days, as to whether or not to submit a proposal. If invited to submit a proposal, the applicant generally has up to 10 business days to submit a full proposal (How To Apply). Applicants will be notified of their funding requests, via mail, one week following our quarterly scheduled Board meetings. All proposals are reviewed by Impact Fund's Board of Advisors on a quarterly basis.
Q: If awarded, are there time restrictions as to when the grant funds must be expended?
A: No. There are no deadlines as to when the funds must be spent. Once the case is closed, however, a final grant report is required, detailing all expenditures.
Q: If funded, how long do I have to accept or reject the grant award?
A: Potential grantees have 60 days to accept or reject the grant offer.
Q: Are Supplemental Grants available? If so, how do I apply?
A: Supplemental grants are considered only if there has been a significant change of circumstance from the initial grant, such as unanticipated expenses or issues. Supplemental grant applications follow the same guidelines as regular grant applications. All applicants applying for a Supplemental grant must first submit a Pre-Application and all annual and final status reports for previously awarded grants must be up-to-date.
Q: When do I have to repay the grant?
A: You only have to repay the grant after your litigation is completed and only if you recover your costs and/or attorneys' fees.
Q: Do I have to repay the grant if the case is unsuccessful?
A: No—if your case is unsuccessful, or if you prevail but do not recover costs and/or fees, you do not have to repay the grant.
Q: Is there a program staff member I can contact with questions?
A: Absolutely! If you have questions regarding the grants process, please contact our Administrative Manager. For legal questions, please send an email to our executive director, Jocelyn Larkin. Be sure to clearly state that you are a current or potential grantee in the subject of your email.