TYLA Local Affiliate Project Funding Application

TYLA Local Affiliate Project Funding Application - Due February 1, 2026

The Texas Young Lawyers Association (“TYLA”), is pleased to announce the opening of the TYLA Local Affiliate Project Funding Program. This program provides financial support to local young lawyer affiliates for projects that meaningfully advance the practice of law and the delivery of legal services in Texas.
Affiliate Organization Name:*
Primary Contact Person:*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email*
example@example.com
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Title of Project:*
Project Description (max. 500 words):*
Purpose of Project: Explain how this project is germane to the practice of law, consistent with McDonald v. Longley and Boudreaux v. LSBA.*
Target Audience:*
Expected Outcomes/Measure of Success:*
Total Project Cost: *
Amount Requested from TYLA:*
Other Funding Sources:*
Vendors to Be Paid (if known):
Project Start Date:*
Project Completion Date:*
Acknowledgment: The affiliate agrees to submit a brief written report within 60 days of project completion detailing how TYLA funds were used and evaluating the impact of the project. The affiliate also agrees to the constitutional and legal requirements listed below. *

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Constitutional and Legal Requirements

Please note that funding for affiliate projects must comply with federal constitutional rulings limiting the activities of mandatory bar associations. Specifically:
- In McDonald v. Longley, 4 F.4th 229 (5th Cir. 2021), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that the State Bar of Texas may engage only in activities germane to the practice of law, such as regulating the legal profession or improving the quality of legal services.
- In Boudreaux v. Louisiana State Bar Ass’n, 3 F.4th 748 (5th Cir. 2021), the Fifth Circuit reaffirmed this principle and emphasized that activities unrelated to the practice of law, even if beneficial, cannot be funded by mandatory bar dues.
Accordingly, all applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project is germane to the practice of law. Projects that are primarily social, political, or ideological in nature, or otherwise unrelated to the legal profession, are ineligible for TYLA funding.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for TYLA funding, the proposed project must:
1. Be initiated and led by a recognized local young lawyers affiliate of the State Bar of Texas.
2. Be germane to the practice of law, which includes:
  - Improving the quality of legal services available to the public;
  - Promoting legal education for lawyers or the public;
  - Supporting the professional development of young lawyers;
  - Facilitating pro bono or access-to-justice initiatives; or
3. Not involve purely political, social, or ideological activities unrelated to the practice of law (McDonald and Boudreaux).
4. Provide a clear budget with proposed use of funds.
5. Commit to submitting a brief project completion report within 60 days of the project’s conclusion.
Funding Application Process
1. Submission
  - All applications must be submitted electronically using the standardized TYLA Affiliate Project Funding Application Form.
  - A submission email will be provided.
2. Deadlines
  - Deadline: February 1, 2026 (for projects to be completed between February 28, 2026 and May 31, 2026
  - Late applications will be considered if funding is still available.
3. Review
  - Step 1: TYLA Member Services Committee reviews applications for completeness and eligibility.
  - Step 2: Recommended projects are forwarded to the State Bar of Texas Legal department for final approval.
  - Step 3: Applicants are notified of the decision within 30 days of the submission deadline.
4. Funding
  - Funds are distributed within 30 days of the submission of an expense reimbursement form, as a reimbursement for actual approved expenses (the form will be provided with the approval packet)
  - A maximum funding ceiling for each project is set at $3,500.00. Please note that most previously approved projects have a range of $800.00 - $3,000.00.
5. Communication
  - For questions or updates, please contact the TYLA office at mpalacios@texasbar.com or 512-427-1529.
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TYLA Local Affiliate Project Funding Application - Due February 1, 2026