Apply for Funding

Apply for Funding

Funding Opportunities

How Funding Works & How to Apply

If you are considering applying for funding, this page will walk you through what you need to know. Our goal is to make the process as clear and accessible as possible, so you can focus on the work that matters.

Open Funding Opportunities

The following funding opportunities are currently accepting applications:

Our Funding

The majority of the Law Foundation’s grant budget each year supports the ongoing programs we fund across the province. When our budget, priorities, and capacity allow, we also offer additional funding opportunities known as open calls. These support projects and initiatives that fall within our mandate areas for the benefit of people in BC. 

While each open call has its own specific criteria, this page provides a general overview of how our funding works and how to apply. 

Open Calls

Open calls are new funding opportunities that we plan carefully and announce publicly. Each open call is designed with a specific funding purpose in mind, and preparation can take months or even years to ensure we get it right. 

We announce open calls through our website, mailing list, and LinkedIn page. Sign up for our mailing list to make sure you do not miss an opportunity. 

New funding opportunities are shaped by our budget, priorities, and capacity. For more information about our current funding priorities, please see our Strategic Plan. 

Understanding Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, your project or initiative must benefit the people of BC and fall within our five mandate areas: legal aid, legal education, law reform, law libraries, or legal research. 

This is the starting point for eligibility, but different funding opportunities may have additional requirements. These might include whether your organization is a non-profit or community-based organization, or whether your project is intended to benefit specific groups or communities that face barriers to justice.

Application Process

Grant seekers apply through the Law Foundation’s grant portal, SmartSimple. Once registered, the application form will be available for you to complete. The form includes questions about your project and organization, as well as a proposed budget. 

Your completed application will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel that may include staff and external advisors. Recommendations are then brought to our Board of Governors, who make the final decision on which projects will be funded. 

We know that waiting for a decision takes patience. We share important dates and deadlines in advance, so you always know where things stand. 

Approved Funding

You will be informed whether your application has been approved or declined. If approved, you will receive a grant letter outlining the terms of the funding, which must be signed by both you and the Law Foundation. 

You will also receive a payment and reporting schedule. Reporting typically involves a brief narrative report and financial report every six months. We see this as an opportunity to stay connected with your work and to celebrate progress together. 

Grant Portal FAQs

Expand All
Close All
How do I create an account in the grants portal?

Click Get Started below to view step-by-step how to register for the grants portal.
A written version is also available below.

Written Instructions
  1. Navigate to lawfoundationbc.smartsimple.ca
  2. Click “Register Here”
  3. Determine if you should select Organization Contact or Individual
  4. Click the “* Organization Name” field.
  5. Search your organization’s name
  6. If your organization does not appear, click “register here instead”
  7. Complete the registration form
  8. Click Submit
  9. In your email, open the email from [email protected] – it may go to your Spam folder.
  10. Click the registration link.
  11. If your registration link has timed out, go to the login page and click “Forgot Password?” to resend the email.
  12. Create your password
  13. Click Submit
  14. You can now login to the portal
How do I apply?

Click Get Started below to view step-by-step how to add people to your application.
A written version is also available below.

Written Instructions
  1. Login to lawfoundationbc.smartsimple.ca
  2. Under Funding Opportunities, click Open Calls
  3. Click Apply Now for the grant you wish to apply for
  4. Click “Save Draft”
  5. Navigate through all the tabs and complete the questions
    • Note: You can save your draft, leave the application and return at any time before the submission deadline.
  6. When you have completed your application, click Submit.
How do I invite other people to support my application?  

Click Get Started below to view step-by-step how to add people to your application.
A written version is also available below.

Written Instructions
  1. When in your application, click the “Contributors” tab
  2. Click the envelope
  3. Click the plus sign (+)
  4. Enter the contact’s information
  5. For role select Application Contributor or Report Contributor
    Note:
    • Application Contributors can view, edit and submit an application.
    • Report Contributors can view, edit and submit reports and view payments.
    • If your contact requires both roles, you must send two separate invitations.
  6. Click “Save”
  7. Click “Invite”
  8. When prompted if you are sure you want to send the invitation, click “Yes”
  9. When you are finished you can close the pop-up window.
  10. You can track your invitation status under the “Contributors” tab
How to export an application as a PDF or Word document?   

Click Get Started below to view step-by-step how to export your application.
A written version is also available below.

Written Instructions
  1. In your application, click “Application Preview”
  2. Select “Export as PDF” or “Export as DOCX”
    • Note: If you have not entered anything into the budget fields, those fields may not display properly in your export.
    • To avoid this, please add at least a single line item to your budget before exporting.
What should I do if I experience accessibility barriers during my application?  

If you experience barriers during the application process in SmartSimple, you can complete your application as a Word document instead.

Email [email protected] to request it, with “Alternative Format” in the subject line and the grant you are applying for in your message. You do not need to explain why, and asking for the alternative format will not affect how your application is considered.

We will send you a Word version of the application to complete and email back. Our team will enter the information into SmartSimple for you.

If you have already started your application, you do not have to start over. Export your application using the Application Preview button and then Export DOCX. Send the exported application with your email request. We will set up your Word application with what you have already entered. A few parts, such as the budget, may not come through in the export; if that happens we will tell you what to re-enter.

If you experience other barriers during the application process, please reach out to our staff. We are committed to working with you to find solutions.

More information about our commitment to accessibility please visit our accessibility page.

Accessibility Page
What are some tips for using assistive technology?

Only try these if they are quick and easy for you. For anything that blocks you, use the accessible Word version above.

If you use a screen reader
  • If you cannot reach or activate the Add or Update expense button, contact us. We can add the expenses with you or set up the accessible Word version with whatever you have completed.
  • Checkbox or radio groups in which every option is marked as “required”: only one selection is needed. If you are not sure, ask us before you submit.
  • If a form will not submit, go to the top of the page and use your find feature to search for “error.”
  • When sorting data tables, after sorting, in NVDA or JAWS press T to jump back to the table. If you get stuck inside a table, switch to your browse or reading mode.
  • Links that look like plain text, or several that repeat such as “Open”: open your screen reader’s list of links to find them and tell them apart.
If you use speech recognition software
  • If a checkbox, radio button, or icon control does not respond to its name, say “Show numbers” to show a number on each control, then say the number. Apple Voice Control and Windows Voice Access both support this. If no number appears or it still will not activate, request the accessible Word version.
If you use keyboard navigation
  • Pop-up windows can be closed with the Esc key. After one closes you may land at the top of the page, so scroll, or use your headings where they are available, to return.
If you use magnification or need higher contrast
  • Zoom your browser in, and turn on high contrast or colour inversion in your system settings to make text and controls easier to see.
How do I get technical support?  

If you encounter a technical issue, please email [email protected].