Central WA BIPOC Communities Grants
LFW’s Central Washington BIPOC Communities Grant is designed to expand direct civil legal aid services for communities of color in the central region of the state.
Communities of color face deep disparities in this region and have minimal legal aid programing tailored to meet their needs. In response, LFW launched a multiyear investment to grow community-embedded, culturally-specific civil legal resources for BIPOC clients in central Washington.
The grant prioritizes organizations rooted in client-centered and community-informed models of service. Projects must align with the goals and strategies of the State Plan for the Coordinated Delivery of Legal Aid to Low-Income People and the Washington Race Equity & Justice Initiative (REJI) Commitments.
An example of an eligible proposal: a project co-led by a community-based organization in Franklin County and a legal aid provider that uses community lawyering to develop on-site Spanish-language legal services for Latinx farmworkers based on community-identified needs and goals.
Civil legal aid providers or community-based organizations in partnership with civil legal aid providers are eligible to apply. Collaborative proposals between multiple organizations are encouraged. Proposals must be focused on civil legal aid work in Washington State’s central region.
Three year term from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2029.
A Letter of Intent (LOI) is the first step of the grant application process for Central Washington BIPOC Communities Grants. An LOI is an overview of your organization and project. If invited to submit a full application, the full application will include more detailed questions about the goals and impact of your project. Visit our How To Apply page to learn how to submit an LOI.
Join us for an informational webinar with Q&A on Thursday, July 23 at 1pm by registering here. The webinar will provide information on the grant process with the opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the application, selection criteria, guidelines, or other related questions. The webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend. Participation in the webinar is NOT required, but applicants are strongly encouraged to attend or view the recording.
Letters of Intent (LOIs) are due August 15, 2026. Applicants will receive notification by September 28, 2026, if invited to complete a full application.
Full applications are due October 9, 2026.
2026 Central Washington BIPOC Communities Grantees
Central Washington Legal Aid (formerly Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services) and Unidos Nueva Alianza were awarded $300,000 for their collaborative initiative to increase access to immigration and family law for agricultural workers, Spanish speakers, and undocumented individuals by offering community-based attorney and paralegal services in Benton, Franklin, and Grant counties.
