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.  The application period for 2007 IOLTA/Foundation Grants is now closed.  Click here for a copy of the  FY08 IOLTA/Foundation grant application package.  Applications must be submitted electronically.  Grant applicants will be scheduled for a site visit or interview with the Bar Foundation.  IOLTA/Foundation application interviews will be scheduled between April 23, 2008 and May 25, 2008.  Awards will be announced on June 20, 2008.

The Bar Foundation also administers DC's publicly-funded grant program supporting specific legal services initiatives.  Click here for a copy of the RFP and Application for Housing & Neighborhood Legal Services Grants, and for the RFP and Application for a Shared Legal Interpreter Bank.   Applications were due February 11, 2008.   Awards were announced March 20, 2008. 

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. FY07 Mid-Year Reports were due on January 15, 2008.  A copy of the mid-year report form for FY2007 grants is available here.   Year-end reports are due July 31, 2008.   Click here for the FY2007 final report format.

Organizations that receive funding through the DC Publicly Funded Grant program report quarterly, and submit a year-end report.  The FY08 report form has been revised; it is available here.  Year-end reports were due May 30, 2008. If your organization received a no-cost extension to a 2007 public grant, check with the Director of Programs about your reporting obligations.

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