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GRANT PROCESS
Fall 2026 Grant Cycle Now Open!
Applications for the Fall 2026 grant cycle are open now.
- Application deadline: 11:50 PM Pacific on September 30, 2026
- Awards announced by: November 9, 2026
Before applying, we encourage you to review the M3-FBA Grant Agreement so you know what's expected if your project is awarded funding. You do not need to complete or sign this document to apply. If your application is approved, you will be asked to sign the agreement before funds are disbursed.
About the Grant Program
The M. Margaret McKeown Federal Bar Association (M3-FBA) awards grants to organizations whose work advances organization goals and access to justice in the Western District of Washington. Through this program, the M3-FBA invests in projects that strengthen the legal community and the public it serves.
Grants are awarded twice each year, in spring (May) and fall (October).
Funding Priorities
M3-FBA grants support projects aligned with one or more of the chapter's three strategic priorities:
- Access to Justice
- Public Education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Who May Apply
Eligible:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Law school clinics and student organizations
- Bar association programs and committees
- Court-affiliated programs serving the public
- Collaborations between eligible organizations
- Projects primarily serving the Western District of Washington
Not Eligible:
- For-profit organizations
- Individual applicants
- Projects with no connection to the Western District of Washington
- General operating support (unrestricted funds)
- Retroactive funding for already-completed projects
- Political campaigns or partisan activities
What Recipients Agree To
Before applying, we encourage you to review the M3-FBA Grant Agreement so you know what's expected if your project is awarded funding. You do not need to complete or sign this document to apply. If your application is approved, you will be asked to sign the agreement before funds are disbursed.
How to Apply
- Review the funding priorities and eligibility criteria above to confirm your project is a good fit.
- Complete the grant application, including your project description, budget, and required attachments.
- Submit your application before the posted deadline for the current cycle.
How Applications Are Reviewed
Submitted applications move through a straightforward review process:
- Completeness Check – M3-FBA confirms all required materials were submitted by the deadline and that the applicant is eligible.
- Committee Review – The Grant Committee evaluates each application against the program's strategic priorities.
- Board Approval – Recommended applications are presented to the M3-FBA Board for final funding decisions.
- Notification – Applicants are notified of the outcome after Board approval.
Questions?
Contact nicole@fba-wdwash.org with any questions about the grant program or your application.