Our Funding

NJP is Washington’s publicly funded civil legal aid program.

The Washington Legislature provides the majority of NJP’s funding through the Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA). The activities of the Office of Civil Legal Aid are governed by RCW 2.53.020 and 2.53.030.  In 2009 the Washington Legislature provided approximately $11.5 million in funding for civil legal aid services.

Congress provides funding through the national Legal Services Corporation (LSC), established in 1974 to promote equal access to justice and to provide high quality civil legal assistance to low-income persons.  In 2009 LSC funding totaled approximately $6 million.

NJP also receives funding from the Legal Foundation of Washington (LFW) established by the Supreme Court to administer Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) funds in the State of Washington.  LFW is the primary funder for Washington’s Alliance for Equal Justice.