Past, Present and Future
Legal Services Program Update
November, 2026

Since 2011, the Bigglesworth Family Foundation has focused most of its grantmaking on legal services and access to justice. Over that time, we have granted more than $16 million, including close to $11 million to legal services organizations. As we look ahead, we are changing how our legal services grant program works so we can make the most of our resources and support work with lasting impact across the sector.

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Why We Are Making This Change

In 2026 we received 177 Letters of Inquiry, with requests totaling $4.98 million. That is more than four times our annual legal services budget. The growth reflects greater awareness of our open process, cuts to government funding, and a rising need for legal help. It has also made it harder for us to stay closely connected to our grantees' work, and it leaves us little room to support new partners or sector-wide projects. With our move to Sonoma County and our growing work on advocacy and regulatory reform, this is the right moment to rethink our approach.

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What Is Changing

Our open LOI process will be replaced with three focused areas of grantmaking:

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• Special Projects: We will issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for specific priorities, such as Community Justice Worker programs, public interest fellowships, and collaborations on issues like economic justice, domestic violence, and equity.

• Geographic Impact Grants: Legal services organizations that serve a significant number of clients in the North Bay will have an application track for general operating and program grants.

• State and National Impact: We will continue to fund organizations that act as support centers, formally or informally, for the wider legal services field.

 

Some current and former grantees will remain eligible under the new guidelines, and some will not. We are sharing this now, before the end of the year, so organizations can plan ahead.

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What Happens Next

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• No LOIs this fall: We will not accept Letters of Inquiry for the Spring 2027 grant cycle.

• New guidelines in early 2027: We are redesigning our website and application materials and will share more information in the first quarter of 2027.

• Spring 2026 grantees: Instead of the usual Q4 self-report, you will get a simplified report at the start of the new year, due by the end of February.​

 

We are deeply grateful to the organizations we have partnered with over the years and for the work they do every day to expand access to justice.

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