The Appleseed Network
Appleseed is a network of 18 justice centers across the United States and Mexico working together to reduce poverty, combat discrimination, and invigorate democracy. We unite research, organizing, policy advocacy, and impact litigation to build systemic solutions for our communities’ most pressing problems.
Appleseed Justice Centers are deeply rooted in the communities where they work. They are staffed by highly skilled professionals— lawyers, policy analysts, community organizers — who know how to use political leverage, mobilize coalitions, and fight for solutions that build resilient communities.
Appleseed Network (homepage)
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1999 whose mission is to work to achieve justice and equity for all Alabamians.
Arkansas Appleseed Legal Justice Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization launched in September 2021 to advance inclusive, collective, and systemic solutions to issues of equity, poverty, and justice facing Arkansans.
Arkansas Appleseed was launched to expand the policy advocacy capacity in Arkansas, complementing the state’s existing advocacy infrastructure.
Georgia Appleseed advances justice and equity for all Georgia’s children, with a particular focus on Black and Brown children, children experiencing poverty, LGBTQ+ children, children with disabilities, and children in foster care. Justice requires that every child has access to strong, nurturing schools and a healthy home.
The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice is working to build a Hawaiʻi where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change systems that perpetuate inequality through research, policy development, education, coalition building and advocacy.
Chicago Appleseed is a volunteer-led, collaborative non-profit organization advocating for fair, accessible, and anti-racist courts in Chicago, Cook County, and across the state of Illinois.
Kansas Appleseed is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to the belief that Kansans, working together, can build a state full of thriving, inclusive, and just communities. We're working for a future where:
- All Kansans have the resources they need to support themselves and raise healthy families.
- All Kansans can participate fully in the community under equal protection of the law.
- All Kansans benefit from a fair and effective system of justice.
Kansas Appleseed works with community partners to understand the root causes of problems, support strong grassroots coalitions, and advocate for comprehensive solutions so all Kansans can reach their full potential. When necessary, Kansas Appleseed pursues impact litigation to protect Kansans' rights and wellbeing.
Louisiana Appleseed uncovers and corrects injustices and barriers to opportunity through legal, legislative and market-based structural reform. Working with our huge pro bono network, we identify, research, and analyze social injustices; make specific recommendations; and advocate for effective solutions to deep-seated structural problems.
MA Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues.
Missouri Appleseed believes all Missouri families deserve the opportunity to thrive. Through research, advocacy, and education, Missouri Appleseed works to improve the systems and policies at the intersection of public health, criminal justice, and child welfare.
Since 1996, Nebraska Appleseed has fought for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. We take a systemic approach to complex issues – such as child welfare, immigration policy, affordable health care and poverty – and we take our work wherever we believe we can do the most good, whether that’s in the courthouse, at the statehouse, or in the community.
For about 20 years, New Jersey Appleseed (NJA) has been that “someone” in a number of instances, stepping up to fight for those who might be on the wrong side of power but are on the right side of the argument. It has confronted some of the most pressing and complex problems that threaten vulnerable communities and individuals in the state, providing a legal voice to those who might otherwise not be heard.
New Mexico Appleseed corrects structural barriers to opportunity by designing and advocating for effective solutions to poverty through policy, legislative, and market-based reform. While many organizations offer important direct services—serve meals, educate children, and assist the poor—New Mexico Appleseed’s goal is to make systemic change that yields permanent or long term improvement on issues like hunger, homelessness, family economic security, child maltreatment and education.
New Mexico Appleseed designs, tests, and implements practical solutions that address the causes and consequences of poverty.
New York Appleseed advocates for integrated schools and communities in New York City and New York State. With evidence-based advocacy and close work with stakeholders, we achieve direct impact in the community and beyond. We extend and magnify this impact across North America through participation in the Appleseed network.
Oklahoma Appleseed is a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization that fights for justice and opportunity for all Oklahomans. We approach big issues--like Criminal & Juvenile Justice, Education Justice, and Election Justice--by tackling their root causes. We take our work wherever we believe we can do the most good, whether that’s in the courthouse, at the Capitol, or in the community.
Although South Carolina Appleseed existed in one form or another for many years, starting as a subsidiary of South Carolina Legal Services, it came into its own in 1996. When Congress cut funding and placed restrictions on the types of work that the organization could do, the organization split from the Legal Services Corporation. Our Director started doing business in space donated by the Pro Bono Program at the University of South Carolina. The South Carolina Bar Foundation, led by the late Joseph Shine, showed a commitment to systemic advocacy for the low income community by increasing funding to the organization. In 1998, we began an affiliation with the Appleseed Foundation and officially became the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center.
Today, from those humble beginnings, we have an office in downtown Columbia and a staff that includes attorneys, outreach workers, and community organizers, alongside other support and admin staff. Our goal is to influence policymakers to ensure the law is fair, to educate the public and their advocates about the law, and to assist attorneys in bringing systemic litigation where the law is unfair.
Texas Appleseed is a public interest justice center. Our nonprofit works to change unjust laws and policies that prevent Texans from realizing their full potential. We anchor a dynamic network of pro bono partners and collaborators to develop and advocate for innovative and practical solutions to complex issues. Texas Appleseed also conducts data-driven research that uncovers inequity in laws and policies and identifies solutions for lasting, concrete change. The many issues on which we work are united by the goal of greater justice. When justice is beyond reach, Texas Appleseed provides the ladder.
For over 25 years, through litigation, teamwork, and advocacy, DC Appleseed has helped make the District of Columbia a better place to live and work. Throughout our history, we have taken on some of the District’s toughest problems, developed proposed solutions to those problems, and then worked to get our proposed solutions adopted and implemented. Our efforts, however, continue beyond implementation. We monitor the implementation to make sure that policies designed to benefit District residents, particularly low-income residents and people of color, actually work as intended.
The thousands of hours of pro bono time donated by our volunteer attorneys, business leaders, and community experts multiply the impact of our financial support many times over. DC Appleseed is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to DC Appleseed are tax-deductible.
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1999 whose mission is to work to achieve justice and equity for all Alabamians.
Arkansas Appleseed Legal Justice Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization launched in September 2021 to advance inclusive, collective, and systemic solutions to issues of equity, poverty, and justice facing Arkansans.
Arkansas Appleseed was launched to expand the policy advocacy capacity in Arkansas, complementing the state’s existing advocacy infrastructure.
Georgia Appleseed advances justice and equity for all Georgia’s children, with a particular focus on Black and Brown children, children experiencing poverty, LGBTQ+ children, children with disabilities, and children in foster care. Justice requires that every child has access to strong, nurturing schools and a healthy home.
The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice is working to build a Hawaiʻi where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change systems that perpetuate inequality through research, policy development, education, coalition building and advocacy.
Chicago Appleseed is a volunteer-led, collaborative non-profit organization advocating for fair, accessible, and anti-racist courts in Chicago, Cook County, and across the state of Illinois.
Kansas Appleseed is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to the belief that Kansans, working together, can build a state full of thriving, inclusive, and just communities. We're working for a future where:
- All Kansans have the resources they need to support themselves and raise healthy families.
- All Kansans can participate fully in the community under equal protection of the law.
- All Kansans benefit from a fair and effective system of justice.
Kansas Appleseed works with community partners to understand the root causes of problems, support strong grassroots coalitions, and advocate for comprehensive solutions so all Kansans can reach their full potential. When necessary, Kansas Appleseed pursues impact litigation to protect Kansans' rights and wellbeing.
Louisiana Appleseed uncovers and corrects injustices and barriers to opportunity through legal, legislative and market-based structural reform. Working with our huge pro bono network, we identify, research, and analyze social injustices; make specific recommendations; and advocate for effective solutions to deep-seated structural problems.
MA Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues.
Missouri Appleseed believes all Missouri families deserve the opportunity to thrive. Through research, advocacy, and education, Missouri Appleseed works to improve the systems and policies at the intersection of public health, criminal justice, and child welfare.
Since 1996, Nebraska Appleseed has fought for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. We take a systemic approach to complex issues – such as child welfare, immigration policy, affordable health care and poverty – and we take our work wherever we believe we can do the most good, whether that’s in the courthouse, at the statehouse, or in the community.
For about 20 years, New Jersey Appleseed (NJA) has been that “someone” in a number of instances, stepping up to fight for those who might be on the wrong side of power but are on the right side of the argument. It has confronted some of the most pressing and complex problems that threaten vulnerable communities and individuals in the state, providing a legal voice to those who might otherwise not be heard.
New Mexico Appleseed corrects structural barriers to opportunity by designing and advocating for effective solutions to poverty through policy, legislative, and market-based reform. While many organizations offer important direct services—serve meals, educate children, and assist the poor—New Mexico Appleseed’s goal is to make systemic change that yields permanent or long term improvement on issues like hunger, homelessness, family economic security, child maltreatment and education.
New Mexico Appleseed designs, tests, and implements practical solutions that address the causes and consequences of poverty.
New York Appleseed advocates for integrated schools and communities in New York City and New York State. With evidence-based advocacy and close work with stakeholders, we achieve direct impact in the community and beyond. We extend and magnify this impact across North America through participation in the Appleseed network.
Oklahoma Appleseed is a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization that fights for justice and opportunity for all Oklahomans. We approach big issues--like Criminal & Juvenile Justice, Education Justice, and Election Justice--by tackling their root causes. We take our work wherever we believe we can do the most good, whether that’s in the courthouse, at the Capitol, or in the community.
Although South Carolina Appleseed existed in one form or another for many years, starting as a subsidiary of South Carolina Legal Services, it came into its own in 1996. When Congress cut funding and placed restrictions on the types of work that the organization could do, the organization split from the Legal Services Corporation. Our Director started doing business in space donated by the Pro Bono Program at the University of South Carolina. The South Carolina Bar Foundation, led by the late Joseph Shine, showed a commitment to systemic advocacy for the low income community by increasing funding to the organization. In 1998, we began an affiliation with the Appleseed Foundation and officially became the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center.
Today, from those humble beginnings, we have an office in downtown Columbia and a staff that includes attorneys, outreach workers, and community organizers, alongside other support and admin staff. Our goal is to influence policymakers to ensure the law is fair, to educate the public and their advocates about the law, and to assist attorneys in bringing systemic litigation where the law is unfair.
Texas Appleseed is a public interest justice center. Our nonprofit works to change unjust laws and policies that prevent Texans from realizing their full potential. We anchor a dynamic network of pro bono partners and collaborators to develop and advocate for innovative and practical solutions to complex issues. Texas Appleseed also conducts data-driven research that uncovers inequity in laws and policies and identifies solutions for lasting, concrete change. The many issues on which we work are united by the goal of greater justice. When justice is beyond reach, Texas Appleseed provides the ladder.
For over 25 years, through litigation, teamwork, and advocacy, DC Appleseed has helped make the District of Columbia a better place to live and work. Throughout our history, we have taken on some of the District’s toughest problems, developed proposed solutions to those problems, and then worked to get our proposed solutions adopted and implemented. Our efforts, however, continue beyond implementation. We monitor the implementation to make sure that policies designed to benefit District residents, particularly low-income residents and people of color, actually work as intended.
The thousands of hours of pro bono time donated by our volunteer attorneys, business leaders, and community experts multiply the impact of our financial support many times over. DC Appleseed is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to DC Appleseed are tax-deductible.
Appleseed Mexico
Appleseed México offers free legal advice to civil society organizations and conducts legal research to achieve systemic change, through a better understanding of the legal environment of the sector, attention to vulnerable groups and the promotion of the pro bono culture.
Appleseed México offers free legal advice to civil society organizations and conducts legal research to achieve systemic change, through a better understanding of the legal environment of the sector, attention to vulnerable groups and the promotion of the pro bono culture.
