Legal Empowerment Fund announces first $2 million in grants for grassroots justice work

Earlier this month, the Legal Empowerment Fund announced that it made grants of more than $2?million for 49?grassroots justice organizations. This first round of grants is the result of a monthlong open call for proposals that yielded an astonishing number?— more than 4,800 proposals from 153?countries. In all, groups requested more than $233?million in funding — a true testament to the overwhelming need for greater investment in justice work at the grassroots level.

The activists and organizations selected come from 31?countries across the globe, from Mexico to Zambia. They represent more than a dozen different causes, from environmental justice to women’s rights. The common thread is that they are all using legal empowerment strategies to support their communities, tackle systemic injustices?and advocate for expanded protections under the law. Mott was proud to collaborate with the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to launch the fund at The Fund for Global Human Rights , with both organizations committing $10?million to support efforts to narrow the global justice gap.

Visit the?Legal Empowerment Fund?website to read the complete list of grantees and learn more about the work they do fighting for justice in their communities.