Nonprofit Success Stories

Over the years, the Nonprofit Legal Assistance Program at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center has provided pro bono counsel for ongoing legal representation to over 500 nonprofits.

The following are the stories of some of the nonprofits we have matched with pro bono legal counsel:

Community of Hope
Community of Hope’s mission is to improve the health and quality of life of low–income individuals in the District by providing health care, housing with supportive services, educational opportunities, and spiritual support.

To increase its services, Community of Hope wanted to construct a new 50,000–square–foot Health and Resource Center in Ward 8. It would house 18 patient examining rooms, a laboratory, procedure rooms, and a separate dental floor, which includes 11 dental chairs for cleaning, x–rays, fillings, and dentures. This new facility is now complete and accommodates 22,000 medical visits, 15,000 dental visits, and 3,500 behavioral health visits annually.

When Community of Hope began work on the facility, the organization needed assistance with the purchase and development of the property. The Nonprofit Legal Assistance Program matched Community of Hope with Patton Boggs.

Street Sense
Street Sense is a biweekly newspaper about the homeless experience in D.C. The organization offers jobs for the homeless and formerly homeless as writers and vendors.

With a growing presence of almost 200 vendors in the community, Street Sense sought assistance in developing a risk management strategy. The Nonprofit Legal Assistance Program matched the organization with Hunton & Williams.

Washington Parks & People
Washington Parks & People transforms parks across underserved neighborhoods in D.C. into safe community spaces.

When the organization was approached about four vacant lots in Columbia Heights, the Nonprofit Legal Assistance Program matched Washington Parks & People with Goulston & Storrs to help acquire the properties. The lots are now the permanent home to 25 organic gardens, an orchard, greenhouse, butterfly garden, berry patch, and learning spaces used by local groups.