FreeState Justice
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Maryland LGBTQ Legal Defense Fund
This fund was established to serve those in our state who are at greater risk for discrimination and bias. In the workplace, schools, housing, healthcare, the criminal justice system, and public accommodations, LGBTQ people in Maryland continue to face inequality, harassment and, discrimination. This fund provides free legal services — including filing fees, litigation costs, and legal services staff — to those in our community who could not otherwise afford representation
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Despite the progress of recent years for the LGBTQ population, the LGBTQ community continues to struggle with legal challenges such as harassment, complex family law issues, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, foster care,
healthcare, and public accommodations. FreeState Justice seeks to address these challenges for those in the LGBTQ community, especially those at greatest risk for discrimination such as youth, communities of color, individuals with low- or limited-incomes, and people who are transgender or gender non-conforming. FreeState provides free legal representation to members of the community facing discrimination who would not otherwise be able to afford representation. We learn the challenges our community faces through listening and witnessing the problems our clients face. Using this knowledge, we identify issues and develop policy and regulatory solutions to improve the wellbeing of all LGBTQ families and individuals across the state.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
FreeState Justice seeks to promote equity in all its work, and does this through an intersectional approach to its service. FreeState Justice recognizes the need to serve populations within the LGBTQ community that are at greatest risk for discrimination. We adopt the philosophy that we better serve the entire LGBTQ community by focusing on those with the greatest need. If we are able to remove barriers and improve outcomes for LGBTQ Marylanders at the intersections of gender, sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, age, and other identities, then we will simultaneously break down those same barriers for those with greater access and privilege. Additionally, we plan to diversify our programming by broadening the legal matters that we handle, growing out network by investing in outreach to our clients, community, and potential supporters, and further build power in the community by making even larger efforts to involve the community in policy wins.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
In terms of volunteers, we engage 300 attorneys on our pro bono referral panel, a group of attorneys trained by our staff in effective advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ populations to provide free legal services to low income clients that we do not have the staff capacity to assist in house. We also engage dozens of volunteers annually in our various outreach events, such as Pride festivals and resource fairs. FreeState also has an internship program designed for undergraduate students and law students who share the vision of FreeState Justice. FreeState currently has two interns filling these positions who give great support to our full time staff.
Those that we employ and work with each have a unique skill set to offer FreeState as we all share a similar vision and philosophy of working hard for a more equitable future. Along with a necessary level of capability and competency, our team is also very passionate and driven to this work and this cause.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Many major non-discrimination protections have been fought for and won in the state of Maryland, but
big gaps continue to exist especially for LGBTQ youth. Major policy improvements and protections are still
needed in the state's public education, juvenile justice, and foster care systems.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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FreeState Justice
Board of directorsas of 01/10/2019