Have a general question about The Impact Fund? This "Frequently Asked Questions" area is meant to provide answers to some commonly asked questions regarding our grants and programs. If you do not find the answer to your question, please feel free to contact us through email at impactfund@impactfund.org, or by phone at (510) 845-3473 ext. 301. Thank you for your interest.



General Questions

Q: Are you a law firm?
A: No, we are a 501c3 non-profit, public foundation. Our primary interest is to provide grants to small and/or non-profit legal firms which lack the means and/or resources to develop effective class action cases. In addition to our grantmaking program, we offer periodic MCLE (Minimum Continuing Legal Education) trainings, maintain an active amicus docket, and serve as a support center for the California Legal Services Trust Fund. In a select number of impact litigation cases, The Impact Fund will act as litigation counsel.

Q: I have been discriminated against and I need legal representation. Can you help me?
A: The Impact Fund is not a law firm, and does not provide representation in individual cases. However, we are happy to refer you to law firms and organizations that can meet your needs. Here are a few "attorney locator" resources to help you get started with your search:

• To locate an attorney by individual name, name of firm or state of practice, please visit: www.martindale.com
• In addition, most state bar websites have attorney directories and resources. If you reside within the state of California, please visit: www.calstatebar.org.
• Please also visit The Impact Fund's Discrimination Research Center website for a comprehensive list of community, county and government resources available to assist individuals who believe they are the victims of discrimination.

Q: I have worked and/or currently work at Wal-Mart and/or Sam's Club, and would like to be part of your class action case. How do I join the class?
A: Please visit our Wal-Mart class action website at: www.walmartclass.com. Once you enter the website, please click on Sign-up, located at the left-side menu. If you are a member of the class, you do not need to do anything - you will automatically be included. If you wish to speak to someone about the case, please click on sign-up and give us contact information about you. Your call will be returned in 8-12 weeks.

Q: I am an attorney and have a potential class action case. How can I bring it to your attention?
A: We will be happy to review potential/current cases, offer legal advice and/or consultation. There are two ways to bring cases to the attention of our legal counsel:

Grant-Making Questions

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 meet these criteria.

Q: Do you have specific priority areas?
A: Yes! Grants are made in the areas of poverty law, environmental justice and civil and human rights. Consistent with our general focus, we are particularly interested in receiving applications that address systemic deprivations of constitutional or statutory rights in the following areas: Post 9/11 cases involving denial of rights under the guise of "Homeland Security," Criminal Justice & Immigration, Education Access & Equity and Predatory Lending.

Q: What is the average grant size?
A: The Impact Fund provides grants ranging from $10,000 - $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 up to four times per year. Grant Deadlines vary according to the schedule of our Board of Advisors meetings. Please check our Grants Deadline page for upcoming deadlines.

Q: Can I just send you a proposal?
A: No, proposals are accepted by invitation only. In order to be invited to submit a proposal, grantees must first submit a Pre-Application.

Q: How long does it take to receive a grant?
A: Once a Pre-Application has been received, the applicant will receive notification, by mail, within 10-15 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. Applicants will be notified, by mail, of their funding requests within 6-8 weeks after submission of a full proposal. All proposals are reviewed by The 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 by which to when the funds must be spent by. Once the case is closed, however, a 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 up to 60 days to accept or reject the grant offer.

Q: Are Supplemental Grants available? 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: Is there a program staff member I can contact with questions?
A: Absolutely! If you have questions regarding the grants process, please contact our Grant Associate, at grants@impactfund.org. For legal questions, please send an email to bseligman@impactfund.org. Please be sure to clearly state that you are a current or potential grantee, in the subject of your e-mail.