Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation supports civil legal service and legal education in Wyoming.
FUNDING AREAS: Civil legal service, legal education
IP TAKE: This legal aid-funder offers an accessible grant program for nonprofits throughout Wyoming and awards sizable grants to a few groups each year. A great funder for smaller organizations. It likes to work closely with grantseekers and grantees, so reach out prior to submitting an emailed proposal.
PROFILE: The Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation (EJWF) is a philanthropic organization based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 2015, the Wyoming State Bar Foundation consolidated with EJWF so that EJWF took over the administration of Wyoming’s IOLTA program and all grantmaking efforts. EJWF is run by an executive director, Angie Dorsch. The foundation "strengthens and defends access to justice and civil legal services in Wyoming through fundraising and other supportive activities.” It funds local efforts for civil legal service and legal education.
The Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation’s grantmaking is funded with interest earned on lawyers’ trust accounts (IOLTA). It focuses on providing civil legal services to people who would otherwise not be able to afford legal assistance. EJWF is also interested in funding public education projects that promote an awareness and knowledge of the law, as well as justice administration improvement projects. EJWF is guided by the principal that everyone should have equal access to justice regardless of financial means. It works regularly with the Wyoming Supreme Court, Access to Justice Commission, Wyoming State Bar, community organizations and individual lawyers in the state to accomplish its mission.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $100,00. EJWF typically awards around $200,000 in grants per year. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Past Wyoming-based grantees include Teton County Access to Justice, Legal Aid of Wyoming and the Wyoming Children’s Law Center.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Grantseekers can access the grant application on the EJWF website and submit applications by the annual due date of October 1. Applications should be submitted to the foundation by email. Direct general questions to the staff at 307-777-8383 or via online form.
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