Signature Justice Grant

The Signature Justice Grant is open to Kentucky-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible public or educational entities whose proposed project directly advances access to justice or legal education in Kentucky. 

Eligible applicants may include: 

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations 

• Bar associations and other law-related organizations 

• Government agencies or public entities 

• Educational institutions 

• Collaborations or partnerships involving eligible organizations 

The proposed project, not simply the applicant organization, must have a clear and meaningful connection to access to justice, the legal system, or legal education. Projects should address a demonstrated need and have the potential to improve the ability of Kentuckians to understand, navigate, or obtain meaningful access to the legal system. 

Organizations whose work is not law-related or whose proposed project does not directly advance access to justice or legal education are not eligible for this grant.

Yes

No, you may apply for both.

Personnel expenses may be considered when they are directly tied to the proposed new initiative or expansion. Applicants should demonstrate how the organization will sustain those positions or activities after the grant period.

Capital expenses and equipment may be eligible when they are integral to the proposed project.

Yes, if the grant will support a significant new component, expansion, or transformation of an existing program. The Signature Justice Grant is not intended to fund routine continuation or ongoing operating expenses. Applicants should clearly explain what is new or different about the proposed project, why the additional investment is needed, and how it will create greater or more lasting impact.

KBF is looking for projects that think differently about how access to justice or legal education can be improved. An innovative or transformative project may introduce a new approach, technology, partnership, service model, or resource; significantly expand the reach or impact of an existing program; or address a longstanding need in a new and potentially more effective way. 

The project does not have to be completely unprecedented. KBF is interested in bold ideas with the potential to create meaningful, lasting change and, where possible, serve as a model that could be replicated or expanded elsewhere in Kentucky. 

Yes

The Signature Justice Grant is intended to support projects that can be completed within the 18-month grant period. Any continuation beyond the grant period would require prior approval from the Kentucky Bar Foundation Board of Directors. Applicants should not assume that an extension will be available.

Yes

The application itself should take approximately one hour to complete if you have the necessary information and materials prepared in advance. We recommend reviewing the application questions and gathering the requested information before beginning. This will help make the application process as efficient as possible.

Yes, in Spring 2027.

A detailed project budget.

June 4, 2027 at the Annual Ky Bar Foundation luncheon.

We are looking for projects that demonstrate creativity, meaningful need, and the potential for lasting impact. 

Projects may include, but are not limited to: 

• Expanding access to legal services for underserved Kentuckians  

• Developing or significantly expanding legal technology or digital tools  

• Creating innovative self-help legal resources  

• Establishing mobile or community-based legal clinics  

• Purchasing equipment or technology necessary to launch or substantially expand an initiative  

• Supporting staffing directly connected to a new initiative or significant expansion  

• Developing innovative approaches to legal education  

• Creating new partnerships or collaborative approaches to serving unmet legal needs  

• Testing a new model that could be replicated or expanded elsewhere in Kentucky  

• Other innovative projects that advance access to justice or legal education  

We are especially interested in ideas that could serve as models for future innovation and have an impact beyond the initial grant period. 

The Signature Justice Grant is intended for new, innovative, or significantly expanded initiatives, rather than routine operating expenses or continuation of existing programs. 

Grant funds generally will not be awarded for: 

• Routine or ongoing operating expenses  

• Existing programs without a substantial new component or expansion  

• Ordinary ongoing salaries unrelated to a new initiative or significant expansion  

• Projects that are already fully funded through an organization's existing budget  

• Activities that do not directly advance access to justice or legal education  

• Expenses that are not adequately supported by the proposed project budget  

Personnel expenses may be considered when they are directly tied to the proposed new initiative or expansion. Applicants should demonstrate how the organization will sustain those positions or activities after the grant period. 

Capital expenses and equipment may be eligible when they are integral to the proposed project.

Applications will be evaluated based on eight key criteria: 

1. Transformative Impact 

Does the project have the potential to make a meaningful and lasting difference in access to justice or legal education? 

2. Innovation 

Does the project introduce a bold, creative, or substantially different approach to addressing a need? 

3. Community Need 

Does the project respond to a clearly demonstrated and significant need in Kentucky? 

4. Organizational Capacity and Readiness 

Does the organization have the leadership, experience, partnerships, and infrastructure necessary to successfully implement the project? 

5. Sustainability 

Is there a realistic plan for continuing the project's impact, activities, or benefits beyond the 18-month grant period? 

6. Budget and Feasibility 

Is the proposed budget reasonable, clear, and appropriate for the project? Can the project realistically be accomplished with the requested $50,000? 

7. Measurable Outcomes 

Does the applicant identify meaningful outcomes and a clear way to measure the project's success? 

8. Collaboration 

Does the project appropriately engage partners, stakeholders, or other organizations when collaboration could strengthen its impact?