Applicable Laws and Regulations

As an independent corporation created by Congress and charged with distributing government funds, LSC is governed by federal law. Federal law also applies to recipients of LSC grant funds. The following provide guidance on the operation and responsibilities of LSC and its grantees:

• LSC Act
• LSC Appropriations Statutes
• LSC Regulations
  ο NOTE—Starting December 31, 2017, grantees must follow the revised Part 1630 Cost Standards and the new Part 1631 Purchasing and Property Acquisition rules (superseding the Property Acquisition and Management Manual).
• Table of LSC Restrictions and Other Funding Sources
• Federal Laws Applicable to LSC Grants Regarding the Proper Use of Funds

Additional Requirements

• Grant Terms and Conditions
• Basic Field Grants
• Other Grants (List of other grants with links to further information.)
• Access to Grantee Records Protocol (2015)
• Accounting Guide for LSC Recipients (2010 Ed.)
• Audit Guide for Recipients and Auditors (1996, issued by LSC's Office of Inspector General)
• 45 C.F.R. Part 1631—Purchasing and Property Management (effective December 31, 2017, superseding the Property and Acquisition Management Manual (2001))

Guidance

Grantees seeking interpretive or special guidance or instructions on specific topics or subject matter should also refer to:

• External Advisory Opinions
• Program Letters
• Table of LSC Restrictions and Other Funding Sources
• Lobbying and Political Activities Guidance (including educating members of Congress and social media uses)
• Private Attorney Involvement FAQs
• Subgrant Guidance
• Cost Standards, Purchasing, and Property Management Guidance
• Orderly Conclusion of the Role & Responsibilities of a Recipient of LSC Funds
• Questions and Answers about the January 2019 Changes to the Governing Bodies Rule
• 2020 LSC Visits Webinar 

LSC also issues guidance on the above-referenced laws, regulations, guidelines, and instructions through webinars, remote meetings, and at national and local conferences.

Reporting Requirements

All grants and grant recipients must submit reports and other information to LSC. 

• Table of Major Reporting Requirements
• Case Service Reporting
• Other Services Reporting
• Grantee Activity Reporting

Special grants such as Technology Initiative Grant funding or Pro Bono Innovation funding have additional reporting requirements that must be submitted to LSC by the due dates provided as part of the acceptance of the award.

LSC Performance Criteria

The LSC Performance Criteria guides LSC's grantmaking and overisght.

The Performance Criteria is divided into four performance areas:

1. Effectiveness in identifying the most pressing civil legal need of low-income people in the service area and targeting resources to address those needs
2. Effectiveness in engaging and serving the low-income population throughout the service area
3. Effectiveness of legal representation and other program activities intended to benefit the low-income population in the service area
4. Effectiveness of governance, leadership, and administration