Legal Advocacy Fund Case Support

LAF provides financial and organizational support for a select number of cases in the workplace and in academia that have the potential to provide significant protection for all women.

To be eligible for LAF support, cases must:

1. Address a workplace issue within AAUW’s mission such as discrimination related to economic security, education, civil rights, or Title IX. The workplace can include college and university campuses.
2. Have the potential for significance with respect to future cases and the likelihood to set or reinforce precedent that will discourage gender discrimination and benefit women.
3. Be filed in state or federal court, preferably at the appellate level.  
4. Request support to advance the legal case. Financial support will not be provided to reimburse personal expenditures. 
5. Have litigants who are willing to engage in branch visits and make appropriate public appearances with AAUW.
6. Allow AAUW to publicize support for the case internally and externally, including in the media, on the website, and in electronic and print communications.

AAUW offers both financial and nonfinancial support to selected applicants, including funding for:  

• Court filing fees
• Preparation of briefs, filings, and other case-based costs
• Plaintiff court travel
• Specified immediate essential plaintiff needs

AAUW can also offer nonfinancial support, including:

• Signatory of an amicus brief
• An official statement of support
• AAUW members at the court
• AAUW members at a rally

Case recommendations are welcome from many sources, including collaborating organizations, lawyers, AAUW members, and AAUW affiliates. If you fall within one of these groups and would like to make a recommendation, please contact laf@aauw.org and you will receive a Case Recommendation form to submit for screening. Forms are accepted on a rolling basis. If the case meets the initial case support criteria, applicants will receive a more thorough application to complete and submit. The LAF Review process will determine its suitability for LAF support.

Questions?

• Read the Updated LAF Briefing to learn about the 2009 LAF Case Support transition.   
• For additional information about LAF case support or to request a Case Recommendation form, please e-mail laf@aauw.org or call 202/785-7719.