To ensure that Ohioans who are low-income or who lack access can fully and fairly participate in civil systems that produce just outcomes. To achieve this we: promote access to justice, fund civil legal aid, expand legal capacity, foster innovation, collaborate with partners to achieve systemic change.
Ohio Access to Justice Foundation concentrates on civil legal services for low-income Ohioans, and its grantmaking repeatedly shows that focus in large operating and program grants to legal aid providers across the state. The foundation also supports access-to-justice infrastructure such as Ohio Legal Help, which provides legal information and referral, and it backs initiatives that extend services to underserved communities. Among its larger recent awards, it gave $1,723,305 to Advocates for Basic Legal Equality in Toledo for civil legal services, $1,481,925 to Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio in Columbus for the same purpose, and $1,092,900 to Ohio Legal Help in Columbus for civil legal information and referral. Other awards support organizations working with refugees, immigrants, seniors, and people facing housing problems, all within a statewide Ohio frame. The pattern points to a funder that uses direct service funding, core grants, and program support to strengthen civil legal capacity rather than one-off issue campaigns.
Civil legal aid is the clearest throughline. The foundation gave $1,723,305 to Advocates for Basic Legal Equality for civil legal services for low-income Ohioans, and $1,481,925 to Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio for the same purpose. Access to legal information and referral is another area of support: Ohio Legal Help received $1,092,900 for civil legal information and referral, alongside a separate $907,475 award for the same function. The foundation also funds services for specific populations and legal needs. It gave $880,069 to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans, and $376,565 to Pro Seniors for civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. Housing-related legal help appears as well, with $276,360 to Fair Housing Opportunities of Northwest Ohio for civil legal services.
Typical grants fall in a wide middle range, with p25 at $76,000, a median of $147,265, and p75 at $449,487. The recent record shows repeat support for the same organizations across multiple years, including several organizations that appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation gives operating and programmatic support, along with core grants and fellowship-style workforce programs. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Some opportunities are listed as accepting unsolicited requests, while fellowship and clerk programs are not.
$11.5M
$42.2M
$19M
$14.3M
Most grants fall between $76K and $449K, with a median of $147K.
25th Percentile
$76K
Median
$147K
75th Percentile
$449K
Angela M Lloyd
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Giving is concentrated entirely in Ohio, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the state. The largest recipient cities in the recent grants list include Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Akron. Columbus appears frequently through statewide legal access organizations, while Toledo and Cleveland also receive repeated awards. The recent record also includes grants to Steubenville and to organizations serving broader Ohio communities through statewide or multi-city operations.
It supports Ohio legal aid organizations, access-to-justice initiatives, legal information and referral services, and fellowship or clerk programs tied to public service law. Recent grants also include organizations serving refugees, immigrants, seniors, and housing-related civil legal needs.
Typical grants cluster at a median of $147,265, with the middle half ranging from $76,000 at the 25th percentile to $449,487 at the 75th percentile.
Yes. The grant recipient distribution shows 63 grants, all to U.S. recipients, and 100% of grants went to recipients in Ohio.
Both. The foundation’s grant programs include operating and programmatic grants for Ohio legal aid organizations, and its recent grants include funding described as support for civil legal services and civil legal information and referral.
Yes for some programs. Ohio Justice Bus, Ohio Legal Help, Ohio’s Legal Aids, the LOI grant program, General Grants to Ohio Legal Aid Organizations, and Ohio Legal Help Funding are listed as accepting unsolicited requests, while the fellowship, clerk, and loan repayment assistance programs are not.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advocates for Basic Legal Equality | Toledo, OH | $1,723,305 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio | Columbus, OH | $1,481,925 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Ohio Legal Help | Columbus, OH | $1,092,900 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal information and referral for low-income Ohioans. |
| Catholic Charities Corp | Cleveland, OH | $1,019,973 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid Society of Cleveland | Cleveland, OH | $931,593 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | Cleveland, OH | $880,069 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $528,134 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Community Refugee and Immigration Services Inc | Columbus, OH | $485,051 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio | Steubenville, OH | $471,025 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Community Legal Aid | Akron, OH | $465,345 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| International Institute of Akron | Akron, OH | $439,721 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| US Together Inc | Columbus, OH | $411,299 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Pro Seniors | Cincinnati, OH | $376,565 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Fair Housing Opportunities of Northwest Ohio | Toledo, OH | $276,360 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Equality Ohio Education Fund | Columbus, OH | $258,250 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Asian Services in Action Inc | Akron, OH | $207,000 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid of Western Ohio | Toledo, OH | $182,000 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Ohio Justice and Policy Center | Cincinnati, OH | $126,000 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Legal Works Inc | Cleveland, OH | $107,000 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Social Services for the Arab Community | Toledo, OH | $75,500 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Cleaveland Metripolitan Bar Foundation | Cleveland, OH | $7,000 | 2025 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans. |
| Advocates for Basic Legal Equality | Toledo, OH | $1,320,772 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio | Columbus, OH | $982,747 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Ohio Legal Help | Columbus, OH | $907,475 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal information and referral for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $715,258 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid Society of Cleveland | Cleveland, OH | $664,338 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Community Legal Aid | Akron, OH | $514,139 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Pro Seniors | Cincinnati, OH | $341,566 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | Cleveland, OH | $298,709 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Legal Aid of Western Ohio | Toledo, OH | $263,145 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| US Together Inc | Columbus, OH | $255,575 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Equality Ohio Education Fund | Columbus, OH | $176,127 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Catholic Charities Corp | Cleveland, OH | $169,530 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Community Refugee and Immigration Services Inc | Columbus, OH | $120,714 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio | Steubenville, OH | $117,398 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Legal Works Inc | Cleveland, OH | $107,290 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Social Services for the Arab Community | Toledo, OH | $96,000 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Ohio Justice and Policy Center | Cincinnati, OH | $76,000 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Toledo Bar Association Foundation | Toledo, OH | $71,049 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| International Institute of Akron | Akron, OH | $38,116 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Asian Services in Action Inc | Akron, OH | $18,150 | 2024 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans. |
| Ohio State Bar Association | Columbus, OH | $11,000 | 2024 | Funding to provide Continuing Legal Education on Attorney Unclaimed Funds. |
| Ohio State Legal Services Associations OPLC and SEOLS | Columbus, OH | $1,515,798 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Advocates for Basic Legal Equality | Toledo, OH | $1,365,609 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Legal Aid Society of Cleveland | Cleveland, OH | $1,026,663 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Ohio Legal Help | Columbus, OH | $625,000 | 2023 | Funding to support information and civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Community Legal Aid Services | Akron, OH | $463,065 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $408,752 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Catholic Charities Corp | Cleveland, OH | $328,372 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
| Pro Seniors | Cincinnati, OH | $300,698 | 2023 | Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans |
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
$1,723,305Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio
$1,481,925Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Ohio Legal Help
$1,092,900Funding to support civil legal information and referral for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
$931,593Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio
$471,025Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
International Institute of Akron
$439,721Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Fair Housing Opportunities of Northwest Ohio
$276,360Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Asian Services in Action Inc
$207,000Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Ohio Justice and Policy Center
$126,000Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Legal Works Inc
$107,000Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Social Services for the Arab Community
$75,500Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Cleaveland Metripolitan Bar Foundation
$7,000Funding to support civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
$1,320,772Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Ohio Legal Help
$907,475Funding to support civil legal information and referral for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
$664,338Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio
$117,398Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Legal Works Inc
$107,290Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Social Services for the Arab Community
$96,000Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Toledo Bar Association Foundation
$71,049Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Asian Services in Action Inc
$18,150Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans.
Ohio State Bar Association
$11,000Funding to provide Continuing Legal Education on Attorney Unclaimed Funds.
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
$1,365,609Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
$1,026,663Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Ohio Legal Help
$625,000Funding to support information and civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Funding to support civil legal services for low-income and underserved Ohioans
Current and upcoming funding from Ohio Access to Justice Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Prospective grantees must be a nonprofit corporation registered in Ohio, have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, and propose a project that supports access to justice or civil legal services for indigent Ohioans.
Who can apply: Prospective grantee must be a nonprofit corporation registered in Ohio, have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, and propose a project that supports access to justice or civil legal services for indigent Ohioans.
Deadline: Specified in solicitation when LOIs are solicited; unsolicited LOIs may be submitted at any time.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status located in Ohio that provide civil legal services or work on access to justice issues related to civil legal services. Some opportunities may be limited to particular subsets of organizations.
Deadline: Solicited LOIs have deadlines defined in each solicitation. Unsolicited LOIs may be submitted at any time.
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