Rising for Justice provides free, high-quality legal services and protects the rights of some 250,000 low-income DC residents. Each year, dozens of students from area law schools, joined by attorneys from local law firms, receive training on representing low-income clients. When the pandemic closed courtrooms, attorneys began conducting intake, providing client consultations, and participating in emergency hearings by phone. Cases have been prepared for Landlord-Tenant court, and assistance provided to the US District Court in emergency litigation related to the impact of COVID-19 on conditions in the DC jail and Correctional Treatment Facility. As the moratorium on evictions is lifted, thousands of DC residents will be at risk of homelessness – but they are 19 times likelier to prevail if they are represented by a lawyer. This critical work is very much needed as we face the long road ahead.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 3

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 2; DC-Ward 3; DC-Ward 4; DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Students; Disabled; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: Law schools at the following local universities:; American University ; Catholic University; Georgetown University; George Washington University; Howard University; University of the District of Columbia


  • Number of people we serve annually:  
    Rising for Justice provides legal assistance to more than 3,000 low-income residents each year.
  • Number of hours of volunteer legal work we record annually:  
    The 90 law students Rising for Justice trains provide over 30,000 hours of free legal help.

Awards & Recognition

Rising for Justice has been selected to be refeatured in the 15-16 Catalogue for Philanthropy.

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Budget (FY2015)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Rising for Justice is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.

The Catalogue for Philanthropy looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to the Catalogue to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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