Civil Survival Project

Civil Survival organizes system-impacted people, provides legal representation and reentry support, and advocates for policy reform to restore opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system in Washington State.

Civil Survival will be joining thousands of individuals all over Washington by participating in GiveBIG on May 5, 2026. GiveBIG is a statewide fundraising campaign that brings our communities together to raise money and awareness for our local nonprofits.

By supporting Civil Survival, you’re ensuring our directly impacted community members have what they need to into thrive. 

Your contribution will allow Civil Survival to continue addressing unconstitutional drug possession convictions, representing people in vacating or sealing their criminal records, and alleviating the burden of legal financial obligations (LFOs). In 2025, our legal team took on 1,904 cases, vacating over 500 convictions, and eliminating over $16 million in criminal legal debt. We hosted a Mass Assistance Day in Spokane County, helping 54 clients with 294 cases, erasing $467,058 in debt. 

For every $1 donated, we can eliminate over $8 in debt for clients in poverty:

• $25 provides four free criminal history reports to community members.
• $50 provides two free legal consultations for community members.
• $100 waives $800 of debt for clients.
• $250 helps our staff attend a community resource day.
• $500 waives $4,000 of debt for clients.
• $750 vacates an unconstitutional drug possession.
• $1,000 waives $8,000 of debt for clients.

In addition to our revolutionary work for hundreds of clients a year, Civil Survival has engaged in years of policy advocacy and organizing work. In 2025 alone:

• We led the passage of the Fair Chance Employment Act, opening doors to employment for the formerly incarcerated community. 
• We welcomed our second cohort of system-impacted community leaders for our Unlocking Legislative Advocacy fellowship.
• We brought civic engagement training to behavioral health facilities across the state

Your support can help us do so much more! Give Big today to help Civil Survival continue our incredible work.