Me. Civ. L. Servi. commi. 5

As amended through November 25, 2024

Rule 5 - APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A. A request for applications will be published by the Commission for the coming two-year cycle no later than September 1^st of the odd numbered year. Applications for Awards must be submitted to the Commission, at the address as set forth in the request for applications on or before October 15^th of the odd numbered year, on forms developed by the Commission.

B. Subject to the provisions of section 8.B., awards will be made no less than biannually and awards distributed on an annual basis.

C. Awards will be determined on a competitive basis.

D. Grant applications must include the following information:

(i) Name and address of the organization;

(ii) Form of organization;

(iii) Geographic area served and to be served (if different);

(iv) Description of target population served and to be served (if different), including size and needs;

(v) Fee structure for court fees or litigation expenses if such fees are charged (not to include charge for legal services, which must be provided without charge);

(vi) Description of services provided and to be provided with the requested Award (if different);

(vii) History of the organization;

(viii) Description of staffing and management structure;

(ix) List of current funding sources;

(x) Amount of funds requested;

(xi) Description of community and other forms of support (including work with other organizations that provide legal services);

(xii) Annual budget, including, if relevant, the sources of other funds necessary to fully fund the organization or complete the program; and

(xiii) Evaluation plan to measure organization's success.

E. Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

(i) Proof of nonprofit status, or in the case of legal aid clinics, proof of affiliation with an accredited law school; and

(ii) Audited financial statement of last fiscal year, or if an audit has not been conducted, a financial accounting for the period that has been certified correct by the responsible financial officer.

F. Applicants must submit a hardcopy original and an electronic copy of the application and attached materials.

G. As part of the selection process, the Commission may request an applicant provide additional or clarifying information when it is needed for proper review of the application.

H. Two or more entities may submit a joint application for funding. A joint application will not be given preference solely on the basis of its being a joint application.

I. The Commission will review applications and funds available over a two-year funding cycle in an amount to be determined by the Commissioner. The Awards shall be made no later than December 1^st of the odd numbered year and shall be distributed consistent with paragraph 8 of these rules.

Me. Civ. L. Servi. commi. 5

Amended September 6, 2019, effective 9/19/2019.

Advisory Note -September 2019

Rule 5(F) is amended to require "a hardcopy original and an electronic copy" of the application and attached materials, rather than "an original and two copies" of the application and attached materials.