Indianapolis, Indiana, [7/10/2024] – Indianapolis Legal Aid Society (ILAS) has been awarded a substantial $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fortify its commitment to providing free, comprehensive legal assistance to vulnerable Hoosiers. This grant will primarily bolster ILAS’s endowment, enhance fund development initiatives, and expand sustainability efforts.
With over 80 years of dedicated service as Indiana’s oldest legal aid provider, ILAS remains steadfast in its mission to promote economic self-sufficiency, preserve dignity, and strengthen neighborhoods and communities across Indiana.
"We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment for this transformative grant," said John Floreancig, General Counsel & CEO at ILAS. "This funding will significantly enhance our capacity to plan for and sustainably address the increasing legal needs of our community, ensuring that every individual receives personalized legal support and assistance. ILAS was founded with the specific mission to serve as a law firm for our community, and we witness daily the profound impact of our work. Every person who seeks our services can meet personally with an attorney, discuss their situation, receive legal advice, and review their options including full direct representation. At ILAS, we recognize that one of the greatest disparities in our community is access to legal support, and we are dedicated to removing barriers and prioritizing people.”
This approach has enabled ILAS attorneys to annually assist more than 5,000 individuals, helping them restore their driver's licenses, prevent evictions, resolve family law disputes - including divorce and child custody matters - and address other critical civil legal needs.
Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is among three Indiana legal aid organizations awarded grants from Lilly Endowment aimed at bolstering the organizations’ long-term financial sustainability. This recognition underscores ILAS’s prominent position in Indiana’s legal aid sector, reaffirming its dedication to sustaining a locally governed model focused on delivering timely and beneficial assistance to clients.
For more information about Indianapolis Legal Aid Society and its work, visit www.indylas.org.