High interest rates often force plaintiffs to settle their cases for very little money. As the only nonprofit litigation funder in the U.S., we offer a clear option to for-profit lenders. Refer a client to our nonprofit program to secure the fair funding they need.
Access to justice funding is a nonprofit model designed to remove the money barriers that prevent plaintiffs from seeing their cases to a fair end. By providing lawsuit advances with low simple interest, The Milestone Foundation ensures that people do not have to choose between basic needs and a fair settlement. This approach helps the civil justice system by leveling the field against big defendants who use delay tactics to pressure plaintiffs into low offers. Unlike for-profit lenders, nonprofit funding focuses on the attorney and the long-term well-being of the consumer. This model has already saved plaintiffs millions, according to the 2025 Annual Report from The Milestone Foundation, which shows how ethical funding maintains legal fairness.
Learning how this nonprofit model works is the first step toward better results for your personal injury clients. Many attorneys have questions about how these programs run compared to typical lawsuit loans. To give a clear look, we must first answer one key question: What Is Access to Justice Funding? The answer begins with
What Is Access to Justice Funding?
Access to justice funding is a way to help people get the legal help they need. In civil cases, many people face big costs. They may have to pay for medical bills or rent while they wait for a case to end. These costs can make it hard to keep fighting for a fair result. Many people feel forced to settle for less money just to pay their bills. This type of funding gives people the cash they need to stay in the fight.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, access to justice means people can use the legal system to protect their rights. But if you cannot pay your bills, you cannot always wait for a court case. This is why fair funding is so key. It helps balance the scales. It makes sure that money is not the only thing that decides who wins.
Breaking Financial Barriers in Civil Law
The cost of a legal case is often very high. Plaintiffs must pay for expert witnesses and court fees. They also face their own daily living costs. If a person is hurt and cannot work, these costs add up fast. Without help, a plaintiff might take a low offer from an insurance firm. This is where The Milestone Foundation steps in. We provide a bridge to help you reach the end of your case.
We are the first and only 501(c)(3) nonprofit group in the U.S. that does this work. Our mission is to make sure every person can get a fair day in court. Since we started, we have given more than $7 million to help people. We have served over 1,000 plaintiffs across the country. We also work with more than 430 law firms to help their clients.
The Nonprofit Difference in Litigation Support
Most firms that lend money for legal cases are for-profit. They often charge very high rates that grow over time. We are different. As a nonprofit with Tax ID 81-1207829, our goal is to help you, not to make a profit. We use a simple interest model that stays low. We also do not have hidden fees. You get the money you need without the fear of high costs later.
Our rates are clear and easy to understand. For pre-settlement funding, we charge 15% simple annual interest. If you need help after your case is over, our post-settlement rate is 10% simple annual interest. The interest never compounds. This means you do not pay interest on your interest. It is a fair and honest way to get the help you need.
How Fair Funding Supports Fair Results
Our funding is non-recourse. This means you only pay us back if you win your case. If you lose, you owe us nothing. This takes the risk away from you and your family. To get this help, you must have an attorney. This rule helps us make sure your case is on the right track. It also protects your legal rights.
Fair funding changes the way cases work. It gives you the time to wait for a full and fair settlement. It also helps your attorney do the best work for you. By taking away the stress of bills, you can focus on your health and your case. We are proud to be a mission-driven choice for people across the nation. No hidden fees or high rates will stand in your way.
How the Nonprofit Model Expands Access to Justice
The Milestone Foundation is the first and only 501(c)(3) nonprofit group for consumer legal funding in the United States. Unlike standard funders, we do not answer to private backers who demand high returns on their cash. This base split lets us focus on our mission. We grow access to justice funding for people who face money pressure during long legal fights. By cutting the profit goal, we offer rates that are much lower than the market rate.
Breaking the Profit-First Cycle
Most for-profit legal funders face pressure to make 15% to 25% yearly gains for their owners. To hit these goals, they charge compounding interest rates that can range from 32% to over 200% each year. These high costs can take 40% to 60% of a final payment. This leaves people with very little to cover their own needs. This unfair cycle often forces people to settle early for less money just to stop the debt from growing.
The Milestone Foundation breaks this cycle by using ethical consumer litigation funding steps. Since we are a nonprofit, every dollar we get goes back into our mission. We do not pay out profit to owners. Our 15% simple yearly interest rate never compounds. This helps people keep more of their funds when the case ends. This path ensures that the legal system stays fair for all people, no matter their wealth.
A Decade of National Impact
Since we started in 2016, we have built a 10-year track record of helping people and their lawyers. We have given more than $7 million to over 1,000 people who needed help with bills. Our team saw 75% growth in 2025 alone. This shows the rising need for fair money options. We now help with cases in 34 states. We have also set up links with more than 430 law firms across the country.
Our normal advance of $5,550 gives a vital safety net for families. It helps them during the 11 to 18 months it takes to finish a case. We give these funds on a non-recourse basis. This means a person owes us nothing if they lose their case. This rule removes the risk for the client. It also lets the lawyer focus on the best legal result without money stress.
Trust Through Openness
As an IRS-checked 501(c)(3) group, we maintain the highest standards of trust and truth. We have earned the GuideStar seal for openness. This shows our promise to share our money data and impact with the public. We give clear, plain-language contracts that show all terms at the start. We never charge hidden fees like sign-up or cost-to-process fees, which are common in the for-profit world.
Our goal is to serve as a legal-duty partner for plaintiff lawyers. We know that your duty is to protect your client’s needs. Our nonprofit model is built to support that goal. By choosing a partner with an IRS check and a clear social mission, you can be sure of your choice. You get the most low-cost help out there. We believe that fair money is a key part of a truly just legal system.
The Financial Barrier: Why Plaintiffs Struggle Without Fair Funding
Plaintiffs often face a long wait for their case to end. On average, a legal case takes about 11 to 18 months to reach a final result. During this time, bills and costs can pile up. Without help, many people feel forced to settle for less than they deserve. This pressure creates a huge gap in the legal system. It makes it hard for normal people to stand up to big companies.
The high cost of waiting for a settlement
In the United States, about 300,000 people get some form of legal funding each year. Most of these people are in a tough spot. They have lost income or have high medical bills from an injury. Since a case can take over a year to finish, they need cash now to pay for rent and food. But many for-profit lenders charge very high rates. These lenders take a large slice of the final award which leaves the plaintiff with less.
This is why ethical consumer litigation funding is so vital. It helps people stay in the fight without losing their future. It gives them the breathing room they need to wait for a fair offer. Attorneys often see their clients struggle to pay for basic needs while their case is still in court. When a client is under stress, they might accept a low settlement just to get by.
How compound interest traps plaintiffs
Many for-profit companies use compound interest. This means the debt grows much faster every month. Rates in this industry often range from 32% to over 200% each year. These high costs can eat up 40% to 60% of a plaintiff’s total settlement. By the time the case ends, the person may have very little money left to live on. They win their case but still lose their financial safety. This is a big problem in the legal world.
This debt trap makes it hard for people to truly move on with their lives. True access to justice funding should protect the plaintiff, not just the lender. Groups like the State Bar of California work to find ways to help people get the legal aid they need. They want to make sure the law works for everyone. When funding is fair, the plaintiff can focus on healing instead of worrying about a growing loan.
Closing the justice gap with fair rates
Nonprofit funding offers a clear way out of this debt trap. Instead of high fees and growing rates, it uses low simple interest and has no hidden fees. This model can lead to 53% to 91% in cost savings for the plaintiff. That is a massive change when a case lasts for a long time. It ensures that most of the money stays where it belongs. The person who was harmed should be the one who gets the benefit of the settlement.
The goal of fair funding is to give people the tools to win their case fairly. It keeps the focus on the mission of the law and access to justice funding. This approach ensures that a settlement actually helps the person who was hurt. It turns the legal system into a fair place for everyone, not just those with deep pockets. By removing the money barrier, we help ensure that justice is not just for the wealthy.
Simple Interest vs. Compound Interest: A Cost Comparison
The cost of a lawsuit advance depends on how the funder counts interest. Most for-profit firms use compound interest. They charge interest on the main loan plus any interest that built up before. This makes the debt grow fast each month. By contrast, The Milestone Foundation uses a nonprofit model. We offer ethical consumer litigation funding with simple interest. Simple interest is only on the first amount you borrow. This keeps your costs low and fair.
How interest rates impact your settlement
In a for-profit plan, a long case can lead to a debt that takes most of your payout. These firms often charge rates from 32% to over 200% each year. Because these rates compound, the total debt can double in just a few years. The Milestone Foundation charges 15% simple annual interest for pre-settlement needs. We also offer 10% for post-settlement funding options. This plan helps save the plaintiff’s money. It also helps with access to justice funding for all.
Comparing the total cost of funding
Look at what a $10,000 advance costs over two years. A nonprofit advance from The Milestone Foundation costs $13,000 in total. A typical for-profit firm with compound interest would charge $20,328 for that same loan. Some high-rate firms could even charge as much as $32,251. This big gap shows why simple interest is better for people who need to pay bills while they wait for a case to end.
| Funding Source | Interest Type | Annual Rate | Total Owed ($10k/24mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Milestone Foundation | Simple Interest | 15% | $13,000 |
| ClaimAngel (For-Profit) | Compounding | 27.8% | $15,560 |
| Industry Average | Compounding | 32%+ | $20,328 |
| High-Rate Funder | Compounding | 100%+ | $32,251 |
Why simple interest protects plaintiffs
Simple interest puts a limit on how much a funder can take from a case. When interest never compounds, the plaintiff keeps more of their cash. They can use it for health care or rent. This is a key part of the work for nonprofit funders. By choosing simple interest, plaintiffs can see 53% to 91% cost savings. This is when you compare them to for-profit firms. Based on rules from the Internal Revenue Service, nonprofit groups must help the public. This is why our model puts the plaintiff first.
How Attorneys Can Use Nonprofit Funding to Protect Their Clients
Lawyers use nonprofit litigation funding to shield their clients from the pressure of low settlement offers. This mission-driven model helps lawyers refer a client for fair, low-cost cash while their case is pending. By picking a nonprofit partner like The Milestone Foundation, legal teams protect their clients. They ensure that families stay away from the trap of high-cost for-profit loans. This ethical approach lets the focus stay on the case instead of financial stress.
Upholding Your Duty to Clients
Keeping a client’s best interest in mind is the main goal of any law firm. More than 50,286 personal injury lawyers work in a large market across the country. About 60% of these pros work as solo lawyers and handle cases that take 11 to 18 months to end. During this time, clients often find it hard to pay for daily needs like rent or food. Giving access to justice funding through a nonprofit keeps the client safe. It also means they do not lose their pay out to high interest rates that grow over time.
The Partners for Justice Program
Lawyers can join our attorney membership program to make the referral path easy. This group, known as Partners for Justice, now has over 430 law firm partners in 34 states. The Milestone Foundation has given more than $7 million to date to help over 1,000 people. Firms can feel sure about the work because a group of legal experts oversees the foundation’s ethical rules. This Advisory Council started in June 2026 to help guide the group’s mission of ethical consumer litigation funding.
“The Milestone Foundation makes sure that money woes never force our clients to take a bad deal,” says one partner lawyer. “It is the best way to help a family while their case is in court.”
A Simple Path to Help
The path to get help is quick since a lawyer must represent the client to get funding. This rule makes sure that every case is real and has a good chance to win. Lawyers can send a client to the foundation through a simple portal. Once the group says yes, the money is sent in one or two days. This speed lets lawyers focus on the case while the foundation takes care of the client’s bills. It ensures that the quest for justice stays on track for every person.
Who Qualifies for Nonprofit Litigation Funding?
The Milestone Foundation provides ethical consumer litigation funding to help people manage costs during long legal battles. This nonprofit support ensures that money stress does not force a plaintiff to settle for less. To keep the process fair, certain rules must be met before an advance is given. This model focuses on access to justice funding rather than profit.
Required Legal Representation
The first rule for any applicant is that they must have a lawyer. The Milestone Foundation only gives funds to people with an attorney. This is because a legal expert must verify case details and handle the final pay back from the settlement. Working with a lawyer also protects a plaintiff’s rights during the legal case. If you have a case but no lawyer, you must find one before you can apply for pre-settlement funding.
Eligible Case Types and States
Funding is open for many types of civil suits where a person has been hurt. This includes personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability cases. We also support those in sexual abuse or mass tort suits. Now, the foundation serves plaintiffs in 34 states across the country. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we follow rules set by the Internal Revenue Service to stay mission-driven.
The Fast Approval Process
Getting help is quick once you apply online. The foundation does not run credit checks because the funding is non-recourse. This means you only pay back the money if you win your case. If you lose, you owe nothing. After a lawyer verifies the case facts, most reviews take about one week. Once approved, funds move to you within 1 to 2 business days. The average advance is about $5,550, which helps cover basic costs like rent and food while the case moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I lose my lawsuit?
If you lose your case, you do not have to pay back the funds. This is because nonprofit legal funding is non-recourse. The Milestone Foundation takes the risk so that you can seek justice without fear. You only pay the main amount and simple interest if you win your case. According to The Milestone Foundation, this rule protects you from debt if your claim is not won.
How long does it take to get a lawsuit advance?
You can usually get your funds within one to two business days after your case is approved. The process is fast because we know that you may need help with bills and costs right away. Once your lawyer sends the case details, our team works fast to review the file. According to The Milestone Foundation, getting funds fast helps you stay in the legal fight without being forced to settle.
Are there any hidden fees with nonprofit funding?
No, there are no hidden fees when you work with a nonprofit group. Unlike for-profit firms, we do not charge for applications or admin work. You only pay the main amount and a low simple interest rate. This clear cost helps you keep more of your money. According to The Milestone Foundation, this model saves you up to 91 percent compared to firms that use compound interest.
Can I get funding for a post-settlement case?
Yes, you can get funds even after your case has settled. This post-settlement funding helps while you wait for the court or insurance firm to release your money. It has a low rate of 10 percent simple annual interest. This lets you pay for your needs while the law system finishes the final steps. According to The Milestone Foundation, this fair rate ensures that you do not lose your gains to high-cost debt.
Ready to support your client with ethical funding?
Delaying a fair funding request often leaves your clients vulnerable to low settlement offers. When you choose a nonprofit path today. You help them avoid the trap of high compound interest and ensure they have the financial strength to see their case through to the end. This simple choice gives your clients the peace of mind they need while you work on their case. Starting the process right now protects their final recovery and gives you the time needed to reach a just outcome. It is a vital step toward fairness for those who need it most. Every day you wait can add stress to a client who is already struggling with bills and costs. You can change that by taking action today to secure the funding they need for their living expenses. Our team is ready to help you and your clients get through this tough time with clear and honest terms.
Ready to help? Refer a client to request fair funding today.