Starting in 2025, the program will expand from eight to 18 host organizations
The Law Foundation of Ontario has announced a major expansion of its Public Interest Articling Fellowship (PIAF) program, more than doubling the number of grants for articling positions in the nonprofit justice sector.
Beginning in 2025, the program will increase from eight to 18 host organizations, boosting funding from $1.9 million to $4.75 million over the next three years.
The PIAF program provides nonprofit organizations with funding to host an articling student for a 10-month term. This initiative helps law students gain valuable experience in public interest law while addressing the ongoing need for legal assistance in underserved communities. The program is part of the Law Society of Ontario’s broader articling framework, which governs legal training for law students.
The expanded PIAF grants are expected to provide greater diversity in the types of legal placements offered. New areas of law, such as elder law, health law, and animal rights, have been added to the program, broadening the scope of public interest work available to students. Additionally, 30 percent of the new placements will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area.
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The expansion includes a focus on northern Ontario. The PIAF program will open for the first time to legal clinics in the region in response to a 2023 needs assessment conducted by the Law Foundation. This strategic move aims to improve access to justice in remote areas, aligning with the Foundation’s priorities for northern communities.
To support grantees, the program has also introduced several administrative improvements, including a 2 percent year-over-year increase in funding for the duration of the three-year grant cycle. The renewal process for grantees has been streamlined to reduce the administrative burden on host organizations.
The 2025-2028 PIAF cycle includes a wide range of host organizations working in various public interest law areas. Notable new additions include the Algoma Community Legal Clinic, Animal Justice Canada, the Centre for Health Science and Law, Community Justice Collective, Nipissing Community Legal Clinic, and Pro Bono Ontario. According to the Law Foundation, these organizations and returning hosts, such as Amnesty International Canada, John Howard Society of Canada, and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, provide vital services and advocacy across a broad spectrum of legal and human rights issues.
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By expanding the PIAF program, the Law Foundation of Ontario aims to strengthen the nonprofit justice sector and support the development of future legal professionals committed to public service.