Frequently Asked Questions

About the Campaign

  • The Campaign for Justice was established in 2004 so that Maine’s legal community could have an effective and efficient way of directly supporting civil legal aid in our state. By collaborating, the six provider organizations can combine resources, minimize fundraising expenses, and eliminate multiple solicitations by the individual providers.

    The provider organizations in this collective effort are Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Legal Services for Maine Elders, Maine Equal Justice, Maine Law Clinical Programs, Maine Volunteer Lawyer Project, and Pine Tree Legal Assistance.

  • Civil legal aid is a cornerstone in ensuring justice for all, allowing individuals to assert their rights and defend themselves in non-criminal legal matters, regardless of financial circumstances. Having access to civil legal aid helps keep families together, workers employed, and homes safe.

    Our country is facing a civil justice crisis, with the need for legal aid much greater than the capacity of providers. It’s estimated that only 12% of the civil legal problems of Maine’s low-income residents are addressed through civil legal aid. Too many Mainers are facing their civil legal problems alone, which makes the efforts of the Campaign for Justice so critical.

  • Every dollar donated to the Campaign for Justice directly benefits the six provider organizations. Your gift will be used to address the greatest needs and most urgent priorities of the providers. When combined with gifts from your peers in the legal community, your donation has the power to transform the lives of Maine’s most vulnerable residents like:

    ·  A grandmother who fell prey to a scammer who stole her identity by pretending to be a government agent.

    ·  A disabled veteran involved in a dispute with his landlord over unsafe housing conditions.

    ·  A new mother who has fled domestic violence and is seeking protection for herself and her infant daughter.

    Your donation will be used to help at-risk Maine residents keep their families, homes, jobs, and health secure.

  • The Campaign for Justice is the only fundraising effort in Maine founded by lawyers for lawyers to directly benefit civil legal aid providers in our state. Through the generosity of Maine lawyers, we can pool our donations to make the greatest impact by addressing the most urgent priorities of the six Campaign for Justice civil legal aid providers.

    The Campaign for Justice is an opportunity for Maine attorneys to be a part of a collective effort that benefits thousands of our neighbors.

  • No. The Campaign for Justice and Maine Justice Foundation are separate entities.

    When the Campaign for Justice was established in 2004, it was administered by the Maine Bar Foundation (now known as the Maine Justice Foundation) on behalf of the six civil legal aid provider organizations. Over time, the providers’ organizational capacity evolved, and in 2024, full responsibility for the Campaign for Justice was transferred to the providers collectively with Pine Tree Legal Assistance administering it and holding the DBA for the Campaign for Justice.

    When mailing a gift, send it to: Campaign for Justice, PO Box 547, Portland, ME 04112.

    When making a gift through a DAF or other type of distribution, please ensure that you indicate your donation is intended for the Campaign for Justice by selecting Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. (EIN 01-0279387) and noting Campaign for Justice in the message.

Giving to the Campaign

  • One-time Gifts

    You can make a secure online donation by credit card today. If you prefer to give by check, please complete this form and mail to Campaign for Justice, PO Box 547, Portland, ME 04112.

    Monthly Gifts

    Monthly gifts are a convenient way to give, while providing a regular revenue stream for the partners. Monthly gifts can be modified or canceled at any time by contacting us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.

    IRA Gifts

    If you are age 70 ½ or older, giving directly from your traditional IRA is one way to make a charitable gift while reducing your tax liability and satisfying your required minimum distribution (RMD).

    Gifts from Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)

    To give through the online portal of your DAF, please select Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. (EIN 01-0279387) and enter Campaign for Justice in the message detail.

    *Please note that as of 2024, Maine Justice Foundation no longer administers the Campaign for Justice. To ensure that your gift is directed to Campaign for Justice, be sure to confirm you’ve selected Pine Tree Legal Assistance as the beneficiary and noted Campaign for Justice in the message detail.

    Gifts of Stock or Securities

    Donation of stock may provide you with tax advantages. To learn more about this giving option, please contact us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.

    Gifts-in-Kind

    A gift-in-kind is a contribution of tangible goods or services. The Campaign for Justice accepts in-kind gifts that can be used in a manner consistent with our mission and needs. If you are interested in making this type of donation, please contact us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.

  • To give through the online portal of your DAF, please select Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. (EIN 01-0279387)* and enter Campaign for Justice in the message detail. For further information, please contact us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251

    *Please note that as of 2024, Maine Justice Foundation no longer administers the Campaign for Justice. To ensure that your gift is directed to Campaign for Justice, be sure to confirm you’ve selected Pine Tree Legal Assistance as the beneficiary and note Campaign for Justice in the message detail.

  • Campaign for Justice is administered by Pine Tree Legal Assistance on behalf of six provider organizations. Campaign for Justice is registered in Maine as a DBA with the legal name Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. (EIN 01-0279387).

    All gifts to Campaign for Justice are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Because individual financial circumstances vary, please consult with your tax attorney/advisor about the deductibility of your donation.

  • Yes. Many donors find making a tribute gift is meaningful both to themselves and to the person they wish to honor or remember.

    When making your donation online, select the “Add a dedication” button below the personal information fields.

    If mailing your donation, please complete the tribute section of this form.

    If you’d like us to notify the honoree, next of kin, or someone else about your gift, please complete the notification section online or include that information in your note with your mailed donation. Please note: The amount of your gift is never shared with the honoree.

  • You will receive a receipt for your gift in the same format in which your donation was made. Online gifts receive an email while gifts received by mail will receive a letter.

    All donors are listed in our annual report, unless otherwise requested. We may also publicly recognize our donors on our website, our social media channels, and event displays. If you wish to be excluded from public recognition, simply select that option when making your gift.

    If you have a specific preference about how your name appears in public listings, please let us know when you make your donation.

    You may change your recognition preferences at any time by contacting us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.

  • Yes! Equal access to justice affects us all, not just those in the legal community. You can make your gift here.

Other Questions

  • Maine lawyers are generous with their time and talents. There are many volunteer opportunities with the Campaign:

    Team Captains: Representing the Campaign at their firms, Captains promote awareness, share their involvement, facilitate on-site events, and invite their coworkers to donate.

    Law Day Callers: Law Day volunteers donate one hour (or more) to call their peers to ask them to support the Campaign.

    Campaign Cabinet: Our dedicated Campaign Cabinet serves by invitation as leaders, advisors, and advocates for our fundraising efforts.

    Throughout the year, there may be other opportunities for lawyer to volunteer. If you’re interested in getting more involved, please contact us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.

  • The Campaign for Justice is a dedicated fundraising effort and does not provide legal assistance, advice, or representation. If you need legal assistance with a civil matter, visit the State of Maine Judicial Branch website for a listing of legal aid resources in Maine.

  • Please contact us at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.

  • You can contact us with your questions at hello@campaignforjustice.org or 207.400.3251.