Our History
The Wyoming legislature established the Civil Legal Services Act in 2010. The Act gave the State Supreme Court the option of: (1) operating a statewide civil legal services program directly as a Court entity; or (2) creating a new 501(c)(3) entity. The Commission established an independent entity – to be ready if the Court decided to go that direction.
In 2014, the entity formed in 2010 (through filings with the Wyoming Secretary of State), obtained nonprofit tax-exempt status and began active operations as a legal assistance foundation. It was named the Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation (the Foundation) and began publicly operating through fundraising activities that could not be undertaken by court-based programs within the Judicial Branch.
Mission Statement
The Wyoming Foundation for Civil Justice strengthens and defends access to justice and civil legal services in Wyoming through fundraising and other supportive activities. Our guiding principle is that every individual should have full and equal access to justice, regardless of his or her financial means.
In 2015, the Foundation assumed the functions of the Wyoming State Bar Foundation, including administration of the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program.
In 2026, the Foundation was renamed the Wyoming Foundation for Civil Justice. We sustain the future of Wyoming legal aid through our grant program, educational resources and longstanding partnerships. By expanding awareness of civil justice and financial resources, we stand up for people who can’t otherwise access or afford civil legal representation.
