ants Available to Fund Second ActsSM Pilot Projects for Transitioning and Retired Pro Bono Attorneys


About the Second Acts Project SM
In 2005, the Pro Bono Institute launched the Second Acts ProjectSM (i.e., second acts in the lives of America's lawyers) to facilitate institutional support for transitioning and retired attorneys who contribute significant time, skills, and experience to help public interest organizations meet the complex legal needs of low-income and underserved communities. Working with the Institute's core constituencies - major law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations - the project's objectives are as follows:

* Develop a clear understanding of the benefits and obstacles to
second, volunteer careers for transitioning and retired attorneys, and develop strategies to raise awareness, create support, and address obstacles within law firms, legal departments, and public interest organizations;

* Support, evaluate, and replicate quality and effective pro
bono models which can engage substantial numbers of transitioning and retired attorneys in second, volunteer careers in public service.
About Second Acts SM Funding & Application Process for Pilot Projects The Institute will offer funding for public interest and legal aid organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate effective and replicable pro bono projects ("pilot projects") that test the viability of various models of public interest law practice for transitioning and retired attorneys.
Over the three years of the grant, the Institute will also provide support, training, technical assistance to Second ActsSM pilot projects and will assist major law firms and corporate legal departments in developing policies and support for these pro bono models.

To obtain a copy of "Information and Application Instructions for Pilot Projects," please visit http://www.probonoinst.org/secondacts.php.

Funding for Pro Bono Pilot Projects: $160,000 in annual funding will be available to grantee organizations. The Institute will provide individual organizations up to $40,000 annually over three years for a total of $120,000 in project funding.

Grant Term and Funds Available: Funding for Second ActsSM pilot projects will be awarded by the Institute to eligible organizations for up to three years, renewable each year subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with grant requirements. The term of the first year of funding will be 12 months, which will run from August 1,
2008 through July 31, 2009.

Eligible Organizations: Organizations interested in applying for Second ActsSM pilot project funding must be a provider of legal services or a pro bono organization with 501(C)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. Eligible organizations must also have at least one full-time attorney on-staff and office space where the project will be housed.

Geographic Locations: Eligible organizations from all geographic areas in the United States can be selected for funding. Eligible organizations that provide services in the following California counties are strongly encouraged to apply: Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz.
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by the Pro Bono Institute on or before 5:00 p.m. (EST), Friday, May 16, 2008.
Application Submission Requirements: A complete application will include an Application Cover Sheet, Organizational and Project Narrative and Budget Information. The Organizational and Project narrative should be no more than fifteen (15) pages, double spaced. Please send six (6) complete, stapled, hard-copy applications to the Pro Bono Institute,
Attn: Second ActsSM Pilot Project Selection Committee, Georgetown University Law Center, 600 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20006. We also require that you send one complete application electronically to secondacts@probonoinst.org.

Technical Assistance Calls: The Institute will be hosting informational conference calls to answer general questions from interested organizations. To participate in a conference call and receive timely information and updates throughout the application process, please send an email to secondacts@probonoinst.org with your name and contact information.
Questions: Pro Bono Institute staff members are available to answer questions about the Second Acts ProjectSM and the funding application process. For assistance, please contact Benjamin Bay, Project Assistant, at secondacts@probonoinst.org or (202) 664-4245.