Grantmaking guiding principles

In furtherance of WisTAF's mission, the WisTAF Board of Directors annually awards grants to a broad array of agencies which provide civil legal services to low-income clients.

Sometimes applicants find it helpful to know, not only a funder’s policies and criteria — like those regarding general eligibility, evaluation and monitoring, records access, or notification and lobbying — but also the guiding principles behind these decisions.

Fairness in grantmaking.
Our approach to grantmaking is transparent, fair, and consistent. We believe that effective funding of grants can take place only in a climate free from political bias and outside interference. We embrace the values of trust-based philanthropy and are committed to making the grantmaking process as approachable and as understandable as possible. We are committed to grantmaking processes that are free from bias.

Accountability and integrity.
We hold ourselves and our grantees accountable to the highest standards of integrity. We believe in responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Our grantees are expected to uphold these same values, using funding to achieve meaningful outcomes for the communities they serve. These outcomes are an integral component in communicating the value of civil legal aid.

Respectful and inclusive collaboration.
We are committed to fostering collaborative relationships with our grantees, stakeholders, and the communities we serve because we recognize the value of diverse perspectives and experiences. Agency diversity, in terms of structure, service delivery methods, location, scope of services, and sources of funds, is recognized and valued.

Support for sustainable and innovative solutions.
We seek projects that are sustainable, scalable, and impactful. We aim to fund services and projects that not only address immediate legal needs but also create lasting change by improving systems, reducing barriers, and enhancing access to justice. We recognize that the legal needs of low-income communities evolve over time. As a result, we encourage innovative approaches to legal aid and adaptability to emerging challenges. 

Commitment to building capacity and strengthening legal aid networks.
We are dedicated to strengthening the infrastructure of civil legal services in Wisconsin. By providing financial support and technical assistance, we help build the capacity of legal aid organizations and increase the collective impact of our efforts.

Equitable access to justice.
We believe that everyone, regardless of their income, background, or circumstances, should have equal access to quality civil legal assistance. Our funding decisions recognize our partners’ efforts to directly address barriers to service delivery and increase access to populations disproportionately affected by such barriers. 

The WisTAF Board reserves the right to change procedures and priorities for its grant programs as new community needs are identified and as resources change.

Grantmaking decisions of the board are final and not subject to appeal or judicial review.