Community Service Should Never Be a Financial Barrier.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission includes ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent anyone from fulfilling their court-ordered service requirements.
Why There Is an Administrative Fee
The Foundation of Change is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 33-5003265). We do not receive government funding. Our administrative fees are used exclusively to sustain the real costs of operating our community service platform — including secure server infrastructure, verified time tracking systems, anti-fraud architecture, certificate generation, the independent verification portal, and ongoing program compliance.
We recognize that for some individuals, even a modest administrative fee can present a genuine financial hardship. For this reason, we offer a Financial Hardship Assistance program that provides a reduced enrollment rate for qualifying participants. Eligible individuals receive the exact same program — the same coursework, the same verified hour tracking, the same signed certificate — at a reduced administrative rate.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility is determined through professional referral from a verified legal representative. If any of the following apply, you may be eligible for a reduced administrative rate.
Public Defender or Court-Appointed Counsel
Individuals represented by a public defender or court-appointed attorney have already been determined by the court to meet financial eligibility thresholds. Your attorney can verify your eligibility directly by contacting our office.
Legal Aid Organization Referral
Clients referred by recognized legal aid organizations, legal defender associations, or pro bono legal clinics are eligible. Your legal representative can confirm your referral by emailing our office directly.
How to Apply
The application process is handled through your legal representative and is typically completed within one business day.
Your Attorney Contacts Us
Your public defender, court-appointed counsel, or legal aid representative emails info@thefoundationofchange.org to request access to the Financial Hardship Assistance program on behalf of their clients.
We Verify and Provide the Code
Our team verifies the referring attorney or organization and provides them with an enrollment code for the reduced administrative rate. This is typically completed within the same business day.
Your Attorney Shares the Code With You
Your attorney provides you with the enrollment code. You then enter it at checkout when enrolling at thefoundationofchange.org/start-now to receive the reduced rate.
What's Included
Hardship assistance participants receive the full, unmodified program with no reductions in service, documentation, or verification.
No reduced service. No separate certificate. The same program, at a reduced administrative rate.
For Attorneys & Legal Aid Organizations
If you represent clients who qualify for financial hardship assistance, contact our office to receive an enrollment code. Once verified, you can share the code directly with any qualifying client you refer to our program.
info@thefoundationofchange.orgView full attorney resources →The Foundation of Change is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 33-5003265) holding a Platinum Transparency Rating from Candid. Our financial disclosures, governance documents, and organizational details are publicly available. All administrative fees — including reduced hardship rates — are used exclusively to sustain platform operations, compliance infrastructure, and program delivery.