The Summer Grant Program funds innovative public interest projects that benefit the GLBT community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS.  Past grantees include Melissa Nystrom (GLBT Community Center) and Sarah White (Northwest Women’s Law Center).  Committee members meet monthly from September through April to develop the Grant Program and select recipients.  For questions or to volunteer, please e-mail . 

Volunteers.  Meetings are typically on the first Monday or Tuesday of every month, either noon telephonic meetings or evening in person meetings.  Contact for details.  

Sponsoring Organizations. The grant committee seeks potential sponsoring organizations to list in the 2009 Grant Application.  If you are a legal organization or part of  legal organization interested in formulating a project focused on the civil rights of GLBT persons or persons with AIDS/HIV and might be interested in hosting a QLaw grantee for the summer of 2009, please contact Summer Grant Subcommittee Chair Cynthia Buhr, at for more details.

QLaw Foundation Grant.  The QLaw Foundation Public Interest Summer Grant funds innovative public interest projects that benefit the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender ("LGBT") community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS. The focus of the grant is to address unmet legal needs and to help ensure that the next generation of legal advocates for LGBT rights develops the critical skills necessary to develop careers in the public interest. Previous grant projects include the development of a Washington state-focused GLBT "Know Your Rights" booklet and a research and policy analysis internship with the Northwest Women's Law Center.

Qualifications.  Law students who seek summer internships promoting LGBT rights or the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS may apply. The QLaw Foundation values diversity and encourages all interested students to apply. QLaw specifically encourages applications from:

• Students attending Washington state law schools or those seeking internships for the benefit of Washington state residents.
• Students with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to LGBT rights and/or the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Projects and Organizations.  Students are encouraged to create their own projects and connect with sponsoring organizations well in advance of the application deadline.  The QLaw Foundation will offer applicants a list of sponsoring organizations that have projects addressing issues relevant to LGBT rights or the rights of people with HIV/AIDS. These organizations are existing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or government agencies with staff attorneys who are qualified and available to supervise the student.

Application Process.  Applications are available here and must be submitted by March 20, 2009.  For more information about the application process, go to q-law.org or contact:

Cynthia Buhr

Grant Subcommittee Chair & QLaw Foundation Board of Directors

206-328-8048