“The American Bar Association Immigration Pro Bono Development and Bar Activation Project is soliciting applicants for a limited number of mini-grants of $3,000 to $5,000 to increase private bar involvement in providing legal assistance to newcomers to the U.S.The grant are part of a nationwide effort funded through the ABA by the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Institute to increase pro bono services to immigrants, refugees and newcomers.The mini-grants are the latest in a series of awards the ABA has made to bar-sponsored immigration pro bono programs. Since 1993, the ABA has awarded $797,000 to volunteer lawyer programs for the purpose of assisting immigrants. In 1998 alone, the ABA awarded $550,000 for this purpose.Funded projects must demonstrate a concrete plan to involve the private bar in pro bono representation of foreign-born people, and must show collaboration with local community-based operations currently providing legal services to newcomers.Proposals must be postmarked by March 15. Information and a copy of the request for proposals are available by contacting Bob Lang in the ABA Immigration Pro Bono Development and Bar Activation Office at 202-662-1698.”