Application must be completed and received by 5:00pm, Friday, August 19, 2022.

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE
TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Purpose and Policy Statement

The primary purpose of the TYLA Member Services Grant Program is to encourage the development of new projects by TYLA Local Affiliates and to strengthen the existing relationships between the TYLA and its member affiliates.  Pursuant to this TYLA program, grants are distributed to young lawyers associations for worthwhile projects and programs to be implemented by TYLA local affiliate organizations.  The TYLA will process and consider all grant applications in accordance with the following guidelines.

Grant Eligibility Requirements

1.  Grant applications may be submitted only by Local Affiliates of the TYLA on forms prescribed by the TYLA.  In order to be considered, the entire application form must be completed with appropriate attachments.

2.  Grant applications must be received in the TYLA office on or before 5:00 PM, Friday, August 19, 2022.  There will be no extensions permitted.  Grant applications will be subitted by completing a jot form.  You should contact the TYLA office before 5:00 PM on Friday, August 19, 2022, to verify that your application(s) arrived in the office. 

3.  The Local Affiliate submitting the application must have submitted a report and provided an accounting of the disposition of any previously awarded TYLA grant funds to be eligible to receive additional funds, if any, in the current year.

Criteria To Be Considered

Requested grant funds must be used for projects related to the regulation of lawyers, the functioning of federal or state courts, or the functioning of the legal system, in keeping with the purposes of the Texas Young Lawyers Association to serve the public interest by facilitating the administration of justice and advancing the role of the legal profession in serving the public.   

1.  The Local Affiliate must administer all requested grant funds.  Grants will not be made for the sole purpose of payment to third-party organizations that implement or conduct the project, e.g., a pro bono legal clinic, non-profit organization, etc.

2.  Projects that a Local Affiliate proposes to carry out with grant funds will be given priority if the project is either:

a)  A new project that can serve as a model capable of being duplicated by other Local Affiliates;

or

b)  A project of statewide impact.

3. Although priority consideration will be given to new projects or projects that will be substantially changed or enhanced through the use of a TYLA grant, funding may be considered for continuing projects if a special need is demonstrated. 

4. Grants will not be made to pay the costs of completed projects.

5. There is no maximum amount for an individual grant application.  There is no maximum number of grant applications that a Local Affiliate may submit; however, separate applications must be submitted for each project.

Judging Procedures

The TYLA Member Services Committee Chairs, Committee Members, and Executive Committee Advisors will review and consider all applications for grants received by 5:00pm, Friday, August 19, 2022.  The committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the TYLA Executive Committee and the TYLA Board of Directors for final approval, and announcement of grant recipients will be made by the end of September. 

For further information or questions, please contact:        

Jefferson Fisher
Co-Chair, Member Services Committee
(409) 386-0386
jefferson@fisherfirm.com

Tiffany Sheppard 
Co-Chair, Member Services Committee
(325) 653-2448
tiffany.j.sheppard@gmail.com

Hisham A. Masri
ECA, Member Services Committee
(972) 375-7880
hmasri@flowserve.com

CONDITIONS OF THE GRANT

 

A.  Grant recipients are required to submit to the TYLA office a written status report for projects funded by TYLA grants.  The report form will be sent to the affiliate President after receiving approval for grant funds. The reports must include a detailed accounting and substantiating documentation concerning the use of grant funds.  Funds may only be used for the purposes specified in the grant application.  The reports must be received by 5:00pm, Friday, May 5, 2023.

B.  No monies may be used for the purpose of paying or contracting for staff-type positions or needs and no monies may be used for the purchase of any equipment or other fixed assets (e.g. staff salaries, office furniture, computer equipment).

C.  The TYLA will not fund projects that do not comply with Keller v. State Bar of California, 496 U. S. 1 (1990), and McDonald v. Longley, No. 20-50448, ---F.4th---(5th Cir. 2021), and TYLA will monitor project status reports and documentation accordingly.

D.  Grant recipients are required to give the recognition to the TYLA on any printed materials or videotape and audiotape materials used in conjunction with the Grant Program.  Example:  “This was made possible through a grant from the Texas Young Lawyers Association.”

E.  Grant funds not expended by the recipient during the current TYLA grant year (June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023) are forfeited and must be returned to TYLA, unless an extension of time is received in the TYLA office by 5:00pm, Friday, May 5, 2023, and is granted by the TYLA Member Services Committee.  Please request and extension request form by calling the TYLA office at 1-800-204-2222, ext. 1529 or sending an email to mpalacios@texasbar.com.

      Any request for an extension must be in writing and must demonstrate a good-faith effort and an ability to utilize the grant for the originally approved purpose within a reasonable period of time. 

     If it becomes clear at any time during the grant year that all or a portion of the grant will not be used for the originally approved purpose, the grant recipient is requested to return those funds immediately.