SACRAMENTO, CA—With generous support from American Bar Endowment (ABE) insured lawyer members, ABE grants support vital law-related public service, educational, and research programs and projects at the national and local levels. These projects and programs, of importance to the public and the legal profession, advance access to justice, improve the justice system and increase civic engagement.
In 2020, marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased racial tensions, and growing distrust in American democracy, the gap in access to justice for thousands of vulnerable Americans persisted. Legal service provider organizations across the country are working to address new and growing issues affecting underserved populations in the face of profound challenges. ABE, an independent, not-for-profit public charity, has provided annual grants for almost 60 years to support projects and programs designed to meet these needs.
Carolyn B. Lamm, the ABE’s President, said, “Making these grants is the cornerstone of the ABE mission. Our insurance plans for lawyers make the grants possible. Our deepest thanks go out to the ABE insureds who, by participating in ABE sponsored plans and donating dividends, help make access to justice a reality for many with critical legal needs.” For the 2021 grant cycle, the American Bar Endowment has awarded over $7.2 million in grants. The ABE awarded two grants of almost $3.5 to the American Bar Foundation (ABF) and the ABA Fund for Justice and Education (FJE) for vital law-related legal service, education, and research programs.
Additionally, for the fifth consecutive year, the ABE awarded fifteen Opportunity Grants totaling over $275,000 for new, innovative, boots-on-the-ground projects across the country that focus on enhancing access to legal assistance and resources in underserved communities.
