For nearly 30 years, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund (WEJF) and supporters like you have helped make equal justice possible in Wisconsin.

Through your generosity and the dedication of countless donors, volunteers, board members, and partners, WEJF has raised more than $7 million to support civil legal aid across our state. Together, we have helped ensure that, regardless of income, people facing civil legal problems like evictions, adverse employment actions, wrongful benefits denial, and domestic violence, could access the representation and advocacy they needed.

When WEJF was founded in 1997, civil legal aid organizations lacked the capacity and resources needed to cultivate support from Wisconsin’s legal community on their own. WEJF was created to fill that gap and to serve as a bridge between donors and the organizations working every day to expand access to justice.

Nearly three decades later, we are proud to say that WEJF’s hard work has paid off.

Thanks in no small part to the support of WEJF and its donors, our beneficiary organizations—Legal Action of Wisconsin and Disability Rights Wisconsin—have developed the capacity to lead their own fundraising and donor engagement efforts. With the full support of the WEJF Board and our beneficiaries, WEJF will begin winding down operations later this year.

The transition of WEJF’s work to its beneficiary organizations does not mean our collective work is done.

In fact, the need for civil legal aid remains as urgent as ever, as does the need for your support.

As we begin this transition, we hope you will join us in showcasing our beneficiaries’ amazing work and in celebrating everything we have accomplished together.

Please save the date for WEJF’s final Eisenberg Event:

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Milwaukee Athletic Club

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This special evening will honor nearly 30 years of impact, recognize the people who made that impact possible, and celebrate the future of civil legal aid in Wisconsin. Additional details and invitations will be shared soon.

For now, we simply want to express our deepest gratitude. WEJF’s story has always been a story of people who believed that justice should be accessible to everyone. Thank you for helping write that story.

Questions about the transition? See our Frequently Asked Questions below!

How should I direct my upcoming donations given this transition?

In 2026 nothing changes. You may give directly to WEJF and join us at the final Eisenberg Event.

Starting in 2027, WEJF will no longer be operating and accepting donations. You may continue to support the work WEJF funded by giving directly to our beneficiaries, Legal Action of Wisconsin and Disability Rights Wisconsin.

If I want to continue supporting both beneficiaries after 2026, how should I direct my gifts?

You can support both organizations in whatever way is meaningful to you. You may continue to support each firm or give to one or the other. Historically, WEJF designated funds in a 70/30 split with Legal Action receiving 70 percent and Disability Rights Wisconsin receiving 30 percent.

What happens to existing commitments?

All 2026 gifts to WEJF will be distributed to beneficiaries as usual.

The endowment will be distributed consistent with its governing guidelines.

Donors with planned gifts should update their documents to name the beneficiaries directly.

When is the final event?

The final Eisenberg Event will be the evening of October 24th at the Milwaukee Athletic Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Why now?

Nearly three decades later, we are proud to say that WEJF’s hard work has paid off.

Thanks in no small part to the support of WEJF and its donors, our beneficiary organizations—Legal Action of Wisconsin and Disability Rights Wisconsin—have developed the capacity to lead their own fundraising and donor engagement efforts. With the full support of the WEJF Board and our beneficiaries, WEJF will begin winding down operations later this year.

The transition of WEJF’s work to its beneficiary organizations does not mean our collective work is done.

In fact, the need for civil legal aid remains as urgent as ever, as does the need for your support.

Why not continue alongside the beneficiaries?

Continuing would duplicate efforts and create unnecessary overhead. Direct fundraising by the organizations to you, their donors, strengthens donor relationships and maximizes impact.

What happens to WEJF funds?

All remaining funds, including the endowment, will be distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with established guidelines.

What happens to the beneficiaries?

They continue their work uninterrupted—and are positioned for growth, with your help and support! The need for civil legal aid is as urgent as ever. With funding cuts reverberating across nonprofits, our beneficiaries are counting on your continued support.

How do I learn more about the beneficiaries?

We encourage you to learn more about Legal Action and Disability Right Wisconsin (DRW) and get involved. You can explore their websites at legalaction.org and disabilityrightswi.org

You can also contact Rachel Fox Armstrong at Legal Action via email at rfa@legalaction.org or by phone at 414-274-3097. Samantha Garcia at DRW can be contacted via email at samanthag@drwi.org or by phone at 608-308-2625.