You are the reason we exist.

We are here to encourage and facilitate financial support of your work by the many law firms in the District of Columbia, as stated succinctly in our mission.

We take our mission very seriously. You will find that your application is carefully reviewed, as is your performance throughout the year. Please keep this in mind as you apply, and as you document your good works to ensure continued support. Together, we can reach our goal of ensuring access to justice to all the citizens of the District of Columbia.

Applying for and receiving grants

The Bar Foundation administers two separate grant programs.  IOLTA/Foundation Grants, awarded annually and funded by IOLTA and private contributions, are for a period of one year, beginning in July.   Applications must be submitted electronically.  Grant applicants will be scheduled for a site visit or interview with the Bar Foundation.  IOLTA/Foundation application interviews and site visits are scheduled between April and May of the application year.  Awards are announced by the end of June.

The Bar Foundation also administers DC's publicly-funded grant program supporting specific legal services initiatives.  Download the Interpreter Bank RFP  or the Housing/Neighborhood Lawyering RFP, and the FY10 Public Funding Application Package.   Awards are announced by the end of March of the application year.   FY10 application forms for IOLTA/Private grants will be posted when available.

Grant applications should be submitted electronically to: grants [@] dcbarfoundation.org

Applying is only the first step in the process. Should your organization be considered for a grant, a site visit or applicant interview will be scheduled. Purposes of the site visit and interview include understanding the mission of your organization, evaluating the quality of the programs and determining if programs meet real needs of District of Columbia residents.

Grantee reporting obligations

Organizations that receive IOLTA/ Foundation funding are required to provide substantive mid-year and year-end reports on their accomplishments and the use of Bar Foundation funds.  A copy of the mid-year report form for FY2009 IOLTA/Foundation grants is available here.  Report deadlines are listed above.

Organizations that receive funding through the DC Publicly Funded Grant program report quarterly, and submit a year-end report.  The FY09 quarterly report form is available here.  Report deadlines are listed above. 

For further information, please contact Claudia Withers, Director of Programs, at 202-467-3750 ext. 13 or withers [@] dcbarfoundation.org.