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Litigation Grants

Scales of justice

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Addressing inequities and challenging discrimination through legal action can come with a significant financial burden. To help reduce this financial barrier to accessing justice, CNIB offers litigation grants to eligible individuals wishing to challenge inequities and discrimination.

Grant objectives, considerations and eligible expenses

Members of CNIB staff and our dedicated Legal Support Committee – comprised of volunteer legal professionals and community advocates – review applications quarterly.

When reviewing applications, we reflect on grant considerations and ensure that matters meet the objectives set out below:

  • Align with CNIB’s Strategic Plan, The Way Forward;
  • Significantly impact CNIB participants and other people in Canada who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision (i.e. inequity or human rights violations related to blindness);
  • Impact issues beyond the applicant's personal interests; and
  • Would be unlikely to proceed without CNIB's support.

Expenses eligible for reimbursement through our litigation funding include:

  • Legal Fees: Services provided by a legal professional
  • External Fees: Services provided by third parties, such as expert witnesses
  • Disbursements: Additional items or services related to litigation, such as filing fees
  • Administrative Fees: Expenses related to travel and accommodation for in-person hearings, witness expenses, etc.

Other expenses related to litigation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that grant decisions are final with no opportunity for appeal. That said, if there is a significant change in circumstances and/or if new information exists that was not available previously, then applicants may reapply.

Please note that alignment with grant objectives and considerations does not guarantee financial support.

Grant decisions are communicated by CNIB staff to applicants and are always allocated in accordance with the grant agreements.

Apply for legal action funding

To apply, please submit your information through our online Litigation Grant Application Form 

When filling out the application, please complete all questions to demonstrate how your application aligns with grant considerations and meets objectives.

We are here to help 

For any questions relating to grant considerations, the application process, or if you have difficulties with the form and/or require an alternative format, please call us toll-free at 1-800-563-2642.  If you prefer written communication or would like to request a call back, please fill out CNIB’s Contact Form.

While CNIB does not provide legal advice or legal representation, we can help ensure you get connected to a community legal service or other legal support organization. Please consult our Legal Referral Services webpage for more information.

Please see below for application deadlines and Committee meeting timelines, starting in 2025:

  • Applications submitted by March 1, 2025 will be reviewed at the April 2025 Committee meeting.
  • Applications submitted by June 1, 2025 will be reviewed at the July 2025 Committee meeting.
  • Applications submitted by September 1, 2025 will be reviewed at the October 2025 Committee meeting.
  • Applications submitted by December 1, 2025 will be reviewed at the January 2026 Committee meeting.

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