The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, a program of the AAUW Educational Foundation, is the largest legal fund in the nation working to combat sex discrimination in higher education through education and advocacy. Since 1981, LAF has helped individuals seek redress for various forms of sex discrimination, including pay inequity, unfair denials of tenure and promotion, and sexual harassment.

Awards

• Each year, through our Progress in Equity Award program, LAF rewards a campus program or initiative that has resulted in significant progress for campus women.  The winner receives a monetary award of up to $10,000 and public recognition through their communities, campus, and AAUW.  The PIE Award has recognized efforts in areas such as: women's athletics, tenure and promotion for women faculty, child care for faculty, staff, and/or students, family leave for employees, programs and policies to combat sexual harassment, strategies to mentor women students or junior faculty, recruitment of women into nontraditional fields, integration of women's history or other women's issues into the curriculum, and special initiatives for women. The annual deadline for application submissions is March 14.  NOTE: This Award is on Hiatus. There will be no 2008 PIE Award.
  
  
• Awarded biennially at the AAUW National Convention, LAF's Speaking Out for Justice Award supports LAF's mission by recognizing a nationally prominent individual who has advocated for change on behalf of women and girls. The award honors an individual who raises national attention and awareness on issues that reflect the mission and work of LAF. An honorarium of $5,000 accompanies the award.  The Speaking Out for Justice Award is given biennially at the AAUW Convention. 

Grants

• Awarded annually, the Plaintiff Travel Grants aim to help states increase their knowledge of LAF and equity issues in higher education and raise LAF funds by bringing together AAUW members and individuals whose cases are being supported by the fund. The annual application deadline is October 15th. Grants are made for the cost of air travel for plaintiffs to event sites. Costs of room and meals may be included if funds permit. States and regions are encouraged to budget for some costs of the plaintiff's stay. They may, however, deduct necessary costs from gross receipts.