Adopting several of the legal arguments set out in the Public Comment previously submitted by the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center, Federal Courts in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, on June 30, 2026, struck down the United States Department of Education’s ("ED") Final Rule on eligibility under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (“PSLF”) program.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center is proud to announce the first two grantees selected through its inaugural Special Impact Litigation Program (SILP), a new initiative designed to support strategic litigation that advances social justice and addresses systemic inequities. Following a competitive national application process, the Center selected two organizations whose work exemplifies the power of impact litigation to protect fundamental rights and create lasting change.

Recently, the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center’s Senior Director of Litigation, George Mykulak and Vice President, Maria Imperial, attended the 2026 Equal Justice Conference, co-hosted by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) and the American Bar Association (ABA), which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Our 2025 Impact Report highlights the progress we made this year through impact litigation, advocacy, education, and grant-making — including major victories for disability rights, new immigration and foster care litigation, and continued support for organizations advancing civil rights across the country.

In accordance with the Center’s requirements for grant reporting, the 2026 grantees submitted their second quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center celebrated its 15th Anniversary with an inspiring evening at Jones Day in Washington, D.C. on October 9th 2025, highlighted by a dynamic Fireside Chat between Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) and independent journalist Terry Moran.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center has selected four organizations for 2026 grants, each receiving an award of $30,000.