LSC is the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the nation. Established in 1974, LSC operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. LSC distributes more than 90% of its funding to 134 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with more than 800 offices.

Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was established under the federal Inspector General Act as an independent office within LSC.  It has the dual mission of preventing and detecting fraud and abuse and of promoting economy, efficiency and effectiveness in LSC’s programs and operations.

LSC Key Documents
Annual Report
LSC By The Numbers
LSC IRS Form 990 Returns
LSC Code of Ethics and Conduct

LSC promotes equal access to justice by awarding grants to legal services providers through a competitive grants process; conducting compliance reviews and program visits to oversee program quality and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements as well as restrictions that accompany LSC funding, and by providing training and technical assistance to programs. LSC encourages programs to leverage limited resources by partnering and collaborating with other funders of civil legal aid, including state and local governments, Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA), access to justice commissions, the private bar, philanthropic foundations, and the business community.

LSC is headed by a bipartisan board of directors whose 11 members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.