Who we are:

Founded in 1912, the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is Western New York’s oldest and largest provider of free legal services for individuals and families impacted by poverty.

Each year, we provide essential legal representation and support to children, veterans, immigrants, and those who face significant financial hardships.

Our work is carried out through five core units: Civil Legal Services, Criminal Defense, Attorneys for Children, Appeals and Post-Conviction, and the Regional Immigration Assistance Center.

In the past year alone, our services benefited more than 30,000 Western New Yorkers. And throughout our history, we've assisted in over 1 million cases. From fighting wrongful convictions and preventing evictions to ensuring children’s voices are heard in court, Legal Aid safeguards the rights and well-being of our region’s most vulnerable residents.

Why Donate?

Donations made through Give 716 will directly support clients in crisis by addressing urgent, unmet needs that fall outside traditional funding sources, including:

1. Youth who are survivors of abuse and neglect, who will receive “Night-One Knapsacks” filled with age-appropriate comfort items such as pajamas, blankets, toiletries, books, and stuffed animals. And additional support beyond what fits in a knapsack, helping to stabilize lives and create meaningful, age-appropriate experiences.
2. Adults impacted by extreme poverty, who will receive vital assistance to help them engage more fully in their legal matters. This includes transportation support such as bus and metro rail day passes; seasonally appropriate clothing; and nutritious food and self-care kits that reduce stress, promote dignity, and support physical and emotional well-being during an already challenging time.

By removing these real-world barriers, your support helps our clients take meaningful steps toward safety, stability, and justice.

Thanks to the generosity of Lamparelli Construction Company, Inc., Aebly & Associates, and Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc. your donation could have double the impact through their matching pledges.

The mission of Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is to provide access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York community through quality legal representation and assistance.