The Legal Services Corp., an independent nonprofit established by Congress that provides funding to 130 independent nonprofit legal aid programs across the country, announced a $489,100 grant award to Iowa Legal Aid from its Pro Bono Innovation Fund, part of a $5.1 million national initiative to expand pro bono legal services for low-income Americans. Iowa Legal Aid plans to use the funding to enhance its expungement and collateral consequences project by increasing volunteer attorney involvement, expanding capacity across 10 regional offices, implementing virtual clinics for rural areas, and collaborating with community partners like Drake Law School. The project aims to serve 600 clients and recruit 40 new volunteer attorneys. Legal Services Corp. research shows that half of eligible low-income Americans seeking legal help are turned away due to resource shortages, a news release said.