Gates Foundation grants $3 million to legal aid
SEATTLE (AP) - Financially struggling legal aid offices in Washington state will soon get some relief from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Seattle-based foundation has pledged to give $3 million during the next three years to 26 offices that provide legal services to low-income people.
Legal aid offices have been battered in the economic downturn. The majority of their money comes from interest accounts of funds that lawyers hold in trust for their clients. All 50 states have some form of a law that earmarks such money for legal services for the poor.
The Legal Aid for Washington Fund says dropping interest rates and other factors combined for a 80 percent dive in funds in Washington.
The Seattle-based foundation has pledged to give $3 million during the next three years to 26 offices that provide legal services to low-income people.
Legal aid offices have been battered in the economic downturn. The majority of their money comes from interest accounts of funds that lawyers hold in trust for their clients. All 50 states have some form of a law that earmarks such money for legal services for the poor.
The Legal Aid for Washington Fund says dropping interest rates and other factors combined for a 80 percent dive in funds in Washington.