Kindora
FeaturesSocial Enterprise FundingPricingFor FundersFor ConsultantsDevelopers
AboutLive Demos
Sign InSign Up
    Kindora
    FeaturesSocial Enterprise FundingPricingFor FundersFor ConsultantsDevelopers
    AboutLive Demos
    Sign InSign Up
    1. Home
    3. Foundations
    5. Maryland Legal Services
    Maryland Legal Services logo

    Maryland Legal Services

    ActiveCrime & Legal-Related
    BALTIMORE, MDWebsite4105769494

    About Maryland Legal Services

    To ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient and effective civil legal assistance through the distribution of funds to nonprofit legal services organizations.

    Focus Areas

    civil legal aideviction preventionhousing securityfamily lawconsumer debtforeclosureemployment lawdomestic violenceveterans' benefitscriminal record expungementdriver’s license issuesbankruptcycredit maintenancetax controversiesestate planning

    About Maryland Legal Services

    Maryland Legal Services Corporation concentrates its grantmaking on civil legal aid for low-income Marylanders, with most of its recent dollars going to nonprofit legal services organizations on a general support basis. The pattern is not narrow project funding alone: its active programs include annual grants, operating support, and specialized initiatives tied to eviction defense and workforce-related legal services. Recent grants show that the largest awards reach well into eight figures, with Maryland Legal Aid receiving the biggest annual support items in both 2024 and 2025. Other sizable recipients include Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition and Community Legal Serv of Pg, both funded at scale for general support. The foundation’s portfolio also includes legal services providers serving housing, family, disability, immigration, and pro bono work, indicating a system-level approach to access to justice rather than a single-issue strategy. Because its recurring grants are largely unrestricted or core operating support, the organization appears to be sustaining the statewide civil legal services infrastructure that low-income Maryland residents rely on across multiple legal needs.

    What Maryland Legal Services Funds

    Housing and eviction-related legal help is a central theme. Maryland Legal Services Corporation supports the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund and the Eviction Prevention Project / ACE, both tied to full representation and statewide eviction defense. In workforce-linked legal services, the foundation administered ARPA-funded opportunities with the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development to address criminal record expungement, driver’s license issues, bankruptcy, credit maintenance, and tax controversies. Family and domestic stability also appear in the grant portfolio through support for organizations such as House of Ruth Maryland and the Women's Law Center of MD. The grantmaking framework likewise includes civil legal aid for consumer debt, foreclosure, public benefits, and immigration-related legal services, all through nonprofit providers serving Maryland residents.

    How Maryland Legal Services Gives

    Typical grant size sits at a p25 of $66,442, a median of $177,752, and a p75 of $703,941, showing a wide spread between smaller support awards and larger core grants. The recent record also shows repeat funding to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including Maryland Legal Aid, Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition, Community Legal Serv of Pg, and others, which points to ongoing rather than one-off support. Maryland Legal Services Corporation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several programs accept unsolicited applications, including the annual grants program and operating grants, alongside competitive RFP processes for some workforce legal services.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $58.2M

    Total Assets

    $55M

    Total Revenue

    $62M

    Total Expenses

    $61.9M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $66K and $704K, with a median of $178K.

    25th Percentile

    $66K

    Median

    $178K

    75th Percentile

    $704K

    Geographic Reach

    Local2 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    MICHELLE DAUGHERTY SIRI

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

    Unlock Deep Analysis

    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 Free

    Similar Funders

    See Similar Funders

    Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.

    Get Started Free

    Explore related grant guides

    Legal Aid GrantsGrants in Maryland

    Want a Personalized Pitch for Maryland Legal Services?

    Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.

    Get Started FreeView Pricing
    Free plan available
    No contracts
    Cancel anytime
    Free weekly newsletter

    The Grant Brief

    Weekly grant intelligence for social impact leaders. Curated opportunities, funding trends, and strategic insights — free.

    Join 500+ social impact leaders. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy

    Weekly grant intelligence in your inbox. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

    Kindora Logo

    Funders you can find. Funders you can reach.

    Get The Grant Brief — free weekly grant intelligence

    Quick Links

    • Features
    • Social Enterprise Funding
    • About Us
    • Where our information comes from
    • For funders
    • For consultants
    • Writing with AI, honestly
    • Success Stories
    • Mission
    • How It Works
    • Pricing
    • Developers
    • Sales deck
    • Live Demand Wall
    • Philanthropy Jobs
    • Nonprofit Compensation
    • Invest in Kindora
    • Live demo (every plan)
    • Individual prospecting demoBeta
    • Blog
    • FAQ
    • Getting Started

    Connect With Us

    LinkedIn

    Find Grants

    Grants by CauseGrants by StateFoundations by CityEducation GrantsHealth GrantsArts & Culture GrantsEnvironment GrantsCommunity Development GrantsYouth Development Grants

    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 52-1266744Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $55M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    Funding Style

    general operating supportunrestricted supportcore/non-project-specific funding

    Where Maryland Legal Services Makes Grants

    Maryland dominates the recipient map: 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also MD. In the recent grants list, Baltimore appears most often, with additional recipients in Greenbelt, Langley Park, Easton, Towson, Rockville, and Bel Air. The only non-Maryland recipient in the recent grants list is Equal Justice Works in Washington, DC, which appears twice. Grantmaking is therefore strongly local, with statewide Maryland coverage anchored by major legal services organizations and regional bar or pro bono groups.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Legal Services

    What kinds of legal work does Maryland Legal Services Corporation support?

    Its active and summary focus areas include civil legal aid, eviction prevention, housing security, family law, consumer debt, foreclosure, employment law, domestic violence, veterans’ benefits, criminal record expungement, driver’s license issues, bankruptcy, credit maintenance, tax controversies, and estate planning.

    Does Maryland Legal Services Corporation give operating support?

    Yes. Its philosophy tags include general operating support, unrestricted support, and core/non-project-specific funding, and its recent grants list is dominated by general support awards to nonprofit legal services organizations.

    How large are its typical grants?

    The typical grant size distribution is p25 at $66,442, median at $177,752, and p75 at $703,941. Recent awards range from six-figure grants to multi-million-dollar general support commitments.

    Where does Maryland Legal Services Corporation primarily give?

    It gives locally, with Maryland accounting for 86% of grants. The recent grants list also shows recipients in Baltimore, Greenbelt, Langley Park, Easton, Towson, Rockville, and Bel Air, plus one Washington, DC recipient.

    Does it accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes for several programs. The MLSC Annual Grants Program, MLSC Operating Grants, the Eviction Prevention Project / ACE, the grant-subsidized LEFCC training, and some workforce legal services opportunities are listed as accepting unsolicited applications.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    MARYLAND LEGAL AIDBALTIMORE, MD$29,372,1412026GENERAL SUPPORT
    COMMUNITY LEGAL SERV OF PGGREENBELT, MD$4,158,9982026GENERAL SUPPORT
    PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTERBALTIMORE, MD$3,899,6902026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS COALITIONBALTIMORE, MD$3,300,0002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICEBALTIMORE, MD$1,964,4152026GENERAL SUPPORT
    DISABILITY RIGHTS MDBALTIMORE, MD$1,712,2632026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SHORE LEGAL ACCESSEASTON, MD$1,356,8252026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CASA DE MARYLANDLANGLEY PARK, MD$1,274,8502026GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MDBALTIMORE, MD$1,216,1762026GENERAL SUPPORT
    PUBLIC JUSTICE CENTERBALTIMORE, MD$1,040,2302026GENERAL SUPPORT
    EQUAL JUSTICE WORKSWASHINGTON, DC$909,7902026GENERAL SUPPORT
    WOMEN'S LAW CENTER OF MDTOWSON, MD$884,5432026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HOMELESS PERSONS REPRES PROJBALTIMORE, MD$761,6242026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HOUSE OF RUTH MARYLANDBALTIMORE, MD$666,4842026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HARFORD COUNTY BAR FOUNDATIONBEL AIR, MD$657,8332026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARYLAND CRIME VICTIM RESOURCE CTRUPPER MARLBORO, MD$533,2642026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MONTGOMERY CO BAR FOUNDATIONROCKVILLE, MD$510,4362026GENERAL SUPPORT
    COMMUNITY LAW CENTERBALTIMORE, MD$347,0862026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF BALTIMOREBALTIMORE, MD$283,7842026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ALLEGANY LAW FOUNDATIONCUMBERLAND, MD$283,7612026GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNIV OF MD SCHOOL OF LAW CLINICAL PROGRAMBALTIMORE, MD$262,1542026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DCWASHINGTON, DC$229,2332026GENERAL SUPPORT
    BALTIMORE BAR FOUNDATION - SENIOR LEGAL SERVICESBALTIMORE, MD$221,6432026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SEXUAL ASSAULT LEGAL INSTSILVER SPRING, MD$211,4112026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CIVIL JUSTICE INCBALTIMORE, MD$192,7882026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LEGAL RESOURCE CENTERWASHINGTON, DC$154,5752026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HEARTLY HOUSEFREDERICK, MD$145,7492026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ST AMBROSE HOUSING AID CTRBALTIMORE, MD$143,1202026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HOPEWORKS OF HOWARD COUNTYCOLUMBIA, MD$127,7922026GENERAL SUPPORT
    AYUDAWASHINGTON, DC$127,1322026GENERAL SUPPORT
    FREESTATE JUSTICEBALTIMORE, MD$120,2732026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CITIZENS ASSISTING AND SHELTERING THE ABUSEDHAGERSTOWN, MD$110,4952026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARYLAND LAWYERS FOR THE ARTSSILVER SPRING, MD$92,0192026GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNIV OF MD BALT FOUNDATION INCBALTIMORE, MD$84,5002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MID-SHORE COUNCIL ON FAMILY VIOLENCEEASTON, MD$81,2602026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SOUTHERN MD CTR FAMILY ADVHOLLYWOOD, MD$73,5202026GENERAL SUPPORT
    WORLD RELIEF CORP OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALSBALTIMORE, MD$72,1002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTERBALTIMORE, MD$67,2932026GENERAL SUPPORT
    WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTHWASHINGTON, DC$66,0002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    DC VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROJECTWASHINGTON, DC$65,1442026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE CTRBEL AIR, MD$62,5042026GENERAL SUPPORT
    LIFE CRISIS CENTERSALISBURY, MD$58,6002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNIV OF MD CAREY SCHOOL OF LAW ROAR CENTERBALTIMORE, MD$52,7302026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHILD JUSTICE INCSILVER SPRING, MD$51,5002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    RISING FOR JUSTICE INCWASHINGTON, DC$50,0002026GENERAL SUPPOR
    HIAS INCSILVER SPRING, MD$50,0002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNIV OF MD SCHOOL OF LAW MEDICAL-LEGAL CLINICBALTIMORE, MD$49,2052026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARYLAND PUBLIC INTEREST LAW PROJECTBALTIMORE, MD$40,9952026GENERAL SUPPORT
    AMARA LEGAL CENTER INCWASHINGTON, DC$30,0002026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARYLAND LEGAL AIDBALTIMORE, MD$22,896,2002025GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARYLAND LEGAL AID

    $29,372,141
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY LEGAL SERV OF PG

    $4,158,998
    GREENBELT, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER

    $3,899,690
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS COALITION

    $3,300,000
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE

    $1,964,415
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DISABILITY RIGHTS MD

    $1,712,263
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SHORE LEGAL ACCESS

    $1,356,825
    EASTON, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CASA DE MARYLAND

    $1,274,850
    LANGLEY PARK, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MD

    $1,216,176
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PUBLIC JUSTICE CENTER

    $1,040,230
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS

    $909,790
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WOMEN'S LAW CENTER OF MD

    $884,543
    TOWSON, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HOMELESS PERSONS REPRES PROJ

    $761,624
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HOUSE OF RUTH MARYLAND

    $666,484
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HARFORD COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION

    $657,833
    BEL AIR, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARYLAND CRIME VICTIM RESOURCE CTR

    $533,264
    UPPER MARLBORO, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MONTGOMERY CO BAR FOUNDATION

    $510,436
    ROCKVILLE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY LAW CENTER

    $347,086
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF BALTIMORE

    $283,784
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ALLEGANY LAW FOUNDATION

    $283,761
    CUMBERLAND, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNIV OF MD SCHOOL OF LAW CLINICAL PROGRAM

    $262,154
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DC

    $229,233
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BALTIMORE BAR FOUNDATION - SENIOR LEGAL SERVICES

    $221,643
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SEXUAL ASSAULT LEGAL INST

    $211,411
    SILVER SPRING, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CIVIL JUSTICE INC

    $192,788
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER

    $154,575
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HEARTLY HOUSE

    $145,749
    FREDERICK, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ST AMBROSE HOUSING AID CTR

    $143,120
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HOPEWORKS OF HOWARD COUNTY

    $127,792
    COLUMBIA, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    AYUDA

    $127,132
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    FREESTATE JUSTICE

    $120,273
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CITIZENS ASSISTING AND SHELTERING THE ABUSED

    $110,495
    HAGERSTOWN, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARYLAND LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS

    $92,019
    SILVER SPRING, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNIV OF MD BALT FOUNDATION INC

    $84,500
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MID-SHORE COUNCIL ON FAMILY VIOLENCE

    $81,260
    EASTON, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SOUTHERN MD CTR FAMILY ADV

    $73,520
    HOLLYWOOD, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WORLD RELIEF CORP OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS

    $72,100
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER

    $67,293
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH

    $66,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DC VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROJECT

    $65,144
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE CTR

    $62,504
    BEL AIR, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LIFE CRISIS CENTER

    $58,600
    SALISBURY, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNIV OF MD CAREY SCHOOL OF LAW ROAR CENTER

    $52,730
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHILD JUSTICE INC

    $51,500
    SILVER SPRING, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    RISING FOR JUSTICE INC

    $50,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPOR

    HIAS INC

    $50,000
    SILVER SPRING, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNIV OF MD SCHOOL OF LAW MEDICAL-LEGAL CLINIC

    $49,205
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARYLAND PUBLIC INTEREST LAW PROJECT

    $40,995
    BALTIMORE, MD2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    AMARA LEGAL CENTER INC

    $30,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARYLAND LEGAL AID

    $22,896,200
    BALTIMORE, MD2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Maryland Legal Services that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses Feb 4, 2027Award: Varies

    MLSC Annual Grants Program (Civil Legal Services Grants)

    Civil legal servicesLegal aid for low-income Marylanders

    Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations providing civil legal services to low-income Marylanders. New applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and be invited to apply; continuing grantees may apply through the annual grant process.

    Deadline: Annual application deadline is March 15 or the next business day. New applicants must submit an LOI by February 4, 2027 for FY28 funding.

    View & apply
    Open nowLOI due Feb 4, 2027Closes Feb 4, 2027

    New Applicant Pilot Grant Program

    Civil legal servicesOrganizational development for new grantees

    Who can apply: New applicants seeking initial grant funding from MLSC to provide civil legal services for low-income Marylanders. Applicants must submit an LOI with addenda before being invited to apply.

    Deadline: The FY28 LOI deadline is February 4, 2027.

    View & apply

    Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.

    Create a free account

    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.