Applying for award funding
Organisations should be registered in England or Wales to apply.
You can download the application form (Word 108 KB) and email it along with your most recent audited financials and constitutional documents to lawsocietycharity@lawsociety.org.uk.
Make sure the application and reference forms have been signed and dated. Do not include annual or budgetary reports, only the documents requested above.
Please submit your application in Word format. All other documents can be submitted in PDF format if necessary.
You may also include a completed equal opportunities monitoring form (Word 53 KB).
We do not accept applications through the post.
Reviewing award applications
Trustees review applications at quarterly meetings throughout the year. One of the quarterly meetings also includes our AGM.
Applications received after a published closing date will be assessed in the following meeting and you’ll be notified by email. We'll aim to let you know the outcome of your application within four weeks of it being reviewed.
As of 25 February 2021, applications are open. Any applications we receive will be reviewed at our next meeting.
Though your project or service applied for may require more funding, financial awards tend to be on average a £5,000 one-time award.
Criteria for reviewing applications
Trustees will consider:
- the degree of financial need demonstrated and how crucial an award is for your organisation based upon your size
- how many people/how large a geographical area will be served
- whether other charities or public bodies are active in the same field
- whether funding will also be required from other sources
- whether the project would particularly promote the needs of excluded, under-represented or disadvantaged groups
- whether the organisation has a good track record in running the project or service concerned
- whether the overriding requirement of public benefit has been met taking account of guidance issued by the Charities Commission
Trustee requests to applicants
- You may re-apply to the Charity no earlier than 12 months from your last application – preferably 18 months – and it must be for a different project or service
- Decisions by trustees are final and there is no appeal
- Trustees routinely provide brief feedback on applications, which may be limited in value since applications are effectively competitive
- We cannot give applicants the opportunity to address the trustees; lobbying of individual trustees and the company secretary is discouraged
Where else to find assistance
You can search for other charitable organisations at the Law Society Gazette Charity Explorer.
The Diversity Access Scheme programme, developed by the charity in 2003 and previously funded by the charity, is now managed by the Law Society’s diversity and inclusion team. Email diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk
For legal advice, see the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor service.
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