Since launching our grantmaking activities in 2014, we have awarded over $26.4 million in support of our research priorities: access, affordability, and the value of legal education.
Awarded Grants
Grant Program
Grant Status

Willamette University
Grant Title: Assessing the Impact of Cohort Structure on First-Time Bar Pass Rates
This project hypothesizes that implementing a cohort structure for recent law school graduates who use Helix Bar Review while studying for state bar exams will result in improved bar passage rates for these first-time test takers. Project results will inform legal education literature as well as other ongoing studies and activities to improve passage rates and may, depending on cohort size, provide insight into the disparity currently seen in the passage rates of underrepresented populations.
View grant outcomes.

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
One & Done addresses three barriers to passing the bar exam on the first try that face "at-risk" graduates. First, these graduates need more personal support with time management than they typically get from commercial preparation programs, as well as additional study time devoted to spaced repetition study and practice-as-study. Second, many need financial support. Third, many need support to stay emotionally, psychologically, and socially healthy through the grueling bar preparation process.
View grant outcomes.

University of North Texas Dallas College of Law
T.R.A.I.L is a 3-credit course utilizing culturally relevant online modules, "wise feedback," law student mentors and class instruction to teach law school skills, strengthen academic self-concept, and address stereotype threat.
View grant outcomes.

Wayne State University
The Damon J. Keith Pre-Law Summer Institute program targets undergraduate students who are graduates of the Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) and interested in attending law school. It will provide participants with LSAT preparation, academic skills-building, law school application and admissions support, and mentors.

Syracuse University College of Law
The Summer Jump-Start Program (SJSP) is a 3+3 program that will target undergraduate students from Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University to connect them to the Syracuse University College of Law, offering them a direct path to and through law school. Program participants will have early access to, and information from, law students, alumni, professors, administrators, and staff, all while introducing and strengthening key analytical and logical reasoning skills through LSAT prep, first-year law school basics (briefing cases, writing skills), and education on law admissions requirements.
Read more about The Summer Jump-Start Program.

St. John's University School of Law
The Ron Brown Prep Program supports students from traditionally underserved and underrepresented groups—who are often the first in their families to attend college—as they apply to law school and pursue legal careers. Grant funding will support program efforts to increase the number of student participants, make the current program more affordable for students, strengthen ties with program alumni, and improve program measurement and evaluation methods.
To read more, please visit http://www.stjohns.edu/law/ronald-h-brown-center-civil-rights/ronald-h-brown-law...

Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO)
The CLEO Legally Inspired Cohort (CLIC), aims to increase the number of diverse students who matriculate at an accredited law school and successfully complete their first year of law school. CLIC participants will attend one of four law schools accepting cohorts of five students. Participants will also attend a six-week prelaw summer institute, participate in a mentorship program, and attend a two-day seminar after the first semester.
To read more, please visit cleoinc.org

University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School, James E. Jones Jr. Pre-Law Scholars Program intends to help underrepresented minority students compete for admissions to law school, matriculate, graduate, and thrive in the practice of law. Scholars will participate in a four-week summer prelaw program focused on student preparedness.
To read more, please visit James E. Jones Jr. Four-Week Summer Pre-Law Scholars Program

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
The Native American Pipeline to Law Initiative at Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, seeks to increase the number of Native American law students. Program activities include a five-day prelaw program, financial support for LSAT prep courses, a mentorship program, and early outreach to middle and high schools with high Native American populations.
To read more, please visit Pipeline to Law Initiative