If only addressing poverty was as simple as focusing on one single issue area—health, education, workforce development, childcare, housing…the list goes on. The reality is that poverty is complex and affects the lives of individuals in multiple ways.
Legal Obstacles Abound
The landlord won’t bring your apartment up to code? You can’t access the health benefits you need? What about those education benefits you’re supposed to receive? Not being paid for overtime?
Breaking out of poverty requires individuals to run a gauntlet of legal obstacles. Access to legal aid and advocacy gives individuals, families and communities the help needed to address the problems that keep them in poverty.
Reinforcing Your Grantmaking with Legal Aid
Investing in legal aid is one way funders can increase the impact of their grantmaking.
If you fund workforce development programs, then legal aid can help individuals when they aren’t receiving the overtime pay they deserve.
If you fund housing development in low-income communities, then legal aid can help families when landlords refuse to address code violations.
If you fund health, then legal aid can help individuals receive the benefits and care they need.
The list goes on. And the results are tangible and real for the individuals and families who must navigate legal obstacles on a day-to-day basis.
Learn More
How can philanthropy partner with the legal community to address poverty? Attend NCG’s upcoming program Natural Allies: Philanthropy, the Legal Community and Civil Legal Aid on March 10th to learn how funders are using legal aid to combat poverty.