The Michigan State Bar Foundation provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system, including support for civil legal aid to low-income individuals, law-related education, and conflict resolution.
The Michigan State Bar Foundation’s recent grant record is anchored by eviction-defense funding for Michigan households, with repeated large awards to nonprofit legal aid organizations over multiple years. That pattern shows up in grants to Lakeshore Legal Aid in Warren, Legal Aid of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids, and Michigan Advocacy Program in Ypsilanti, all tied to legal services for low-income households facing eviction. The foundation also funds legal self-help and legal aid infrastructure, including support for Michigan Legal Help and Michigan Poverty Law Program. Its stated work is centered on civil legal services for low-income households, law-related education, conflict resolution, and capacity-building for legal aid providers. The grant list shows both recurring operating support and project-based funding, suggesting a mix of sustained core support and targeted initiative funding. Recent awards also include civil legal services for low-income households through legal aid providers in Detroit and Flint, alongside projects that improve delivery of legal services. Across the recent grants, the foundation’s giving stays focused on access to justice in Michigan and on organizations that deliver direct legal assistance, self-help tools, and systems that help low-income people navigate civil legal problems.
Civil legal aid is the clearest throughline in the foundation’s work. It gave $632,045 to Michigan Legal Services in Detroit for legal services for low-income households, and $400,631 to Legal Services of Eastern Michigan in Flint for legal services for low-income households facing eviction. The foundation also supports legal self-help infrastructure. Michigan Advocacy Program in Ypsilanti received $650,000 for Michigan Legal Help, which fits the foundation’s emphasis on tools and resources that help people handle civil legal problems. A third area is service-delivery improvement. Michigan Advocacy Program in Ypsilanti received $640,721 for improvements in delivery of legal services, showing that the foundation funds more than direct representation. Its administration-of-justice work includes law-related education and conflict resolution, and the active grant programs indicate project-based support for innovative efforts that improve the justice system in Michigan.
$22.1M
$56.9M
$25.6M
$23.9M
Most grants fall between $28K and $269K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$28K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$269K
JENNIFER BENTLEY
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Typical grant size centers on a median of $75,000, with a lower quartile of $27,526 and an upper quartile of $268,819. The recent list shows a strong mix of recurring support and project funding: the same organizations appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, often with repeat awards tied to the same program area. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make PRIs. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including administration-of-justice grants and project grants, while the core civil legal services programs do not. That structure points to a foundation that combines ongoing support for established legal aid providers with a smaller pipeline for project-based requests.
Giving is heavily concentrated in Michigan, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving state also Michigan. Recent recipient cities cluster in Warren, Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti, Detroit, and Flint. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 133 grants going to U.S. organizations. The pattern is local rather than multi-state, and the recent grants show repeated support for legal aid providers across different parts of the state.
It funds nonprofit legal aid organizations and related justice-system projects in Michigan. The recent grants repeatedly support civil legal services for low-income households, legal self-help resources, and service-delivery improvements through organizations in Warren, Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti, Detroit, and Flint.
Yes, but only for some programs. The administration-of-justice grant programs and project grants accept unsolicited applications, while the core civil legal services operating programs and the unemployment legal assistance relief fund do not.
Its grant sizes cluster around a median of $75,000, with a 25th percentile of $27,526 and a 75th percentile of $268,819. The recent list also includes large multi-year awards that are well above that median.
Yes. 98% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, and Michigan is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Warren, Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti, Detroit, and Flint.
The foundation supports civil legal services for low-income households, administration of justice and law-related education, conflict resolution, legal self-help tools and resources, and capacity-building for legal aid organizations. Recent awards also show support for eviction defense, unemployment legal assistance, and improvements to legal-service delivery.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Michigan State Bar Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations proposing innovative projects that improve the administration of justice by providing civil legal aid for low-income households.
Deadline: October 10, 2025; February 6, 2026; May 8, 2026; October 9, 2026
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AID | WARREN, MI | $4,338,671 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE | WARREN, MI | $1,801,640 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDMETRO | WARREN, MI | $1,777,996 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,705,015 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAM | YPSILANTI, MI | $970,500 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MICHIGAN | FLINT, MI | $916,301 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $796,438 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| MICHIGAN LEGAL SERVICES | DETROIT, MI | $794,945 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AID | WARREN, MI | $771,710 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN POVERTY LAW PROGRAM | YPSILANTI, MI | $692,623 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN LEGAL HELP | YPSILANTI, MI | $650,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR LEGAL SELF-HELP |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $611,208 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN LEGAL SERVICES | DETROIT, MI | $481,077 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAM (LSSCM) | YPSILANTI, MI | $455,115 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MICHIGAN | FLINT, MI | $429,572 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MICHIGAN | FLINT, MI | $416,843 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN | SAULT STE MARIE, MI | $412,492 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAM (LSSCM) | YPSILANTI, MI | $394,568 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| MICHIGAN LEGAL SERVICES | DETROIT, MI | $387,680 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDMETRO | WARREN, MI | $363,913 | 2026 | EXPUNGEMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN | SAULT STE MARIE, MI | $308,902 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE | WARREN, MI | $267,657 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| MAURICE & JANE SUGAR LAW CENTER FOR ECONOMIC & SOCIAL JUSTICE | DETROIT, MI | $240,770 | 2026 | UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN IMMIGRANT RIGHTS CENTER | YPSILANTI, MI | $190,974 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN | SAULT STE MARIE, MI | $181,203 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN POVERTY LAW PROGRAMMICHIGAN LEGAL HELP | YPSILANTI, MI | $160,000 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| MICHIGAN INDIAN LEGAL SERVICES | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $151,563 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER ASSOCIATION | DETROIT, MI | $122,133 | 2026 | EXPUNGEMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN COMMUNITY RESOURCESCOMMUNITY LEGAL RESOURCES | DETROIT, MI | $101,319 | 2026 | COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE |
| DETROIT JUSTICE CENTER | DETROIT, MI | $98,253 | 2026 | EXPUNGEMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDMETRO | WARREN, MI | $97,776 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDMETRO | WARREN, MI | $94,200 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE | WARREN, MI | $89,108 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE | WARREN, MI | $80,000 | 2026 | UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $80,000 | 2026 | UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN COMMUNITY RESOURCESCOMMUNITY LEGAL RESOURCES | DETROIT, MI | $80,000 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAM (LSSCM) | YPSILANTI, MI | $80,000 | 2026 | UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MICHIGAN | FLINT, MI | $80,000 | 2026 | UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMFARMWORKER LEGAL SERVICES | YPSILANTI, MI | $42,233 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN POVERTY LAW PROGRAM | YPSILANTI, MI | $34,192 | 2026 | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $33,854 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN LEGAL HELP | YPSILANTI, MI | $33,786 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN ELDER JUSTICE INITIATIVE | YPSILANTI, MI | $33,786 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE | WARREN, MI | $33,786 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| CITIZENS FOR PRISON REFORM | LANSING, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| MAURICE & JANE SUGAR LAW CENTER FOR ECONOMIC & SOCIAL JUSTICE | DETROIT, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| STATE BAR OF MICHIGANLAWYERS AND JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | LANSING, MI | $28,489 | 2026 | LAWYERS AND JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM-EDUCATIONAL NEEDS |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE | WARREN, MI | $27,500 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS |
| SIENA LITERACY CENTER | DETROIT, MI | $26,390 | 2026 | IMPROVEMENTS IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE |
| MICHIGAN ADVOCACY PROGRAMMICHIGAN POVERTY LAW PROGRAM | YPSILANTI, MI | $25,980 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION |
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
MICHIGAN LEGAL SERVICES
$794,945LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES
MICHIGAN LEGAL SERVICES
$481,077LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
MICHIGAN LEGAL SERVICES
$387,680MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
EXPUNGEMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES
MICHIGAN INDIAN LEGAL SERVICES
$151,563LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER ASSOCIATION
$122,133EXPUNGEMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE
EXPUNGEMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
CITIZENS FOR PRISON REFORM
$30,000IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES
IMPROVEMENTS IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES
STATE BAR OF MICHIGANLAWYERS AND JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
$28,489LAWYERS AND JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM-EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
SIENA LITERACY CENTER
$26,390IMPROVEMENTS IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION
