Mission: To provide legal assistance to poor people through private attorneys who submit funding requests for specific cases in the area of civil rights, worker rights, discrimination, voting rights, and administrative law. Additionally, the foundation promotes and advocates for community development that includes programs in public education, civic engagement, and cultural activites. 

 

Purpose: To fill some of the void in the provision of legal services to the poor authorized by Congress and to promote and advocate for community development.

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History: During Ronald Reagan's re-election bid for governor of California in the 1970s he questioned the need for government sponsored legal services for the poor. As governor he severly curtailed the program in that state. When he ran for president of the United States the Legal Services Corporation, a quasi-governmental agency adminstering legal services programs for the poor across the country authorized the formation of foundations to carry on the mission of legal services for the poor utilizing carry over monies from an ending budget. Approximately 17 such foundations were created by 1981 including the Texas Rural Legal Aid Foundation, led by David Hall and based in Weslaco, Texas. By 1986, the need for full-time adminstrator became evident and Jose Angel Gutierrez was hired as the new CEO/President. The foundation was relocated to Dallas, Texas and has undergone several name changes to the present name. In the 1990s community development was added to the mission of the foundation and non-lawyers were elected to the board of directors. Among the board members from the 1990s were Jesus Chavaria, founder of Hispanic Business, Dean Barbara Aldave of St. Mary's University Law School, Juan Magallanes of Brownsville, Texas and William Leo of La Joya, Texas. 

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Funding Sources: Individual donors made chariable, tax-deductible contributions. Fundraising events are held across the state for the foundation's general mission and purpose and for specific designated funds such as the current Porvenir Massacre Fund. Other sources of funds are grants and contracts, attorney fees generated by some cases, and fees for educational seminars on issues of the day, cultural programs, events, and exhibits. 

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