Dear Pro Bono Committee Chair,

I am pleased to announce that in response to a request from the Standing Committee, a limited amount of funding from the Administrative Office of the Courts is being made available to directly support local and regional committee activities. The Court of Appeals’ Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service is, therefore, offering mini-grants for your local pro bono activities. We invite you to apply for funding from this new grant program. Funding is available to all local and regional pro bono committees immediately for up to $500 (with the understanding that a lesser amount may be approved). Funds should be requested by FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022, for local or regional pro bono committee activities that enhance pro bono legal services for poor and vulnerable local residents.  All requests will be considered first-come, first-serve, and distributed as funds are available.

ELIGIBILITY:
Only local or regional pro bono committees are eligible to apply.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS:
Funds will be used to reimburse expenses, or can be paid directly to the vendor. Funds must be paid/spent prior to June 30, 2022. (Grantees can seek an exception to June 30 if a specific activity will be held after May 31 but before June 30.)  Please note that funds are not to be used for the purchase of any alcohol, or for staff salaries/benefits.

REPORTS:
Any committee receiving a grant through this program will need to provide a brief report on the funded activities once completed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
When creating and disseminating materials, reports, or other products (paper or electronic) or statements as part of the grant project, grantees must include the following acknowledgement: “This project is supported by a grant from the Maryland Judiciary’s Administrative Office of the Courts.”

INSTRUCTIONS:
To apply, Local Chairs should complete and submit this form online. If you need assistance, please contact Elizabeth (egrove@probonomd.org / 443-703-3045) to discuss your activity and timeline before submitting this application.

Please submit the application no later than 15 workdays prior to the activity date. Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis, and grants will end once the funding is spent.

Respectfully,

Sharon E. Goldsmith, Esq.

SENT ON BEHALF OF THE COURT OF APPEALS’ STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE:
Hon. Karen Murphy Jensen – Chair
Josephine Bahn, Esq., Joan Bellistri, Hon. John Bielec,  Holland C. Brownley, Esq., Teresa Epps Cummings, Esq., Hon. Victor Del Pino, Hon. Angela M. Eaves, Susan Frances, Esq., Manuel R. Geraldo, Esq., Lydie Glynn, Esq., Sharon E. Goldsmith, Esq., Connie Kratovil-Lavelle, Esq., Johanna Leshner, Esq., Amy Lorenzini, Esq., Matt M. Paavola, Esq., Amy Petkovsek, Jessica Quincosa, Esq., Hon. Cathy Hollenberg Serrette, Emily Shank, Esq., Hon. Michael Siri, and Hon. Robert Thompson

Question Title

* 1. LOCAL CHAIR INFORMATION

Question Title

* 2. TITLE OF PRO BONO ACTIVITY/EVENT

Question Title

* 3. EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS

Select all that apply:

Question Title

* 4. ACTIVITY PURPOSE

For funding approval consideration, your activity must meet one of your pro bono goals for your local community. Select all that apply:

Question Title

* 5. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Question Title

* 6. ACTIVITY COST

Question Title

* 7. GRANT DISBURSEMENT

Approved grant disbursements will be administered by PBRC. Funds will be paid by check or credit card directly to the activity billing source (i.e., Pro Bono Committee, venue, caterer, etc.).

Receipts and documentation should be scanned and emailed to Elizabeth Grove at egrove@probonomd.org or mailed to the Pro Bono Resource Center, Attention: SCPBLS Grants, 520 W. Fayette Street, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21201-1756.

Question Title

* 8. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Provide any additional information regarding this grant request:  

T