The CBF makes Special Project grants to support innovative projects that make the justice system more user-friendly and accessible for those in need. The CBF's Special Project grants enable tens of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged Chicagoans to get critical legal advice and assistance.

Using our system-wide perspective, the CBF helped launch many of these projects in response to gaps in the pro bono and legal aid system. Because these projects have a broad impact on the Court and the justice system and align with the CBF's overall priorities, including pro bono and making the courts more user friendly and accessible to people without lawyers, the CBF is committed to funding these projects for the long term.

The CBF's Special Projects primarily are made possible by cy pres awards the CBF periodically receives and the thousands of contributions to the 2012 Investing in Justice Campaign. These contributions help leverage significantly more funding for the CBF's Special Projects from others sources, including a special grant the CBF received from The Chicago Community Trust's Chicago Area Fund for Legal Assistance, as well as funds from Cook County to support court-based advice desks.

View a list of FY 12 Special Project Grants.