OVERVIEW: The Delaware Bar Foundation supports programs that help vulnerable people obtain free or low-cost legal services. It also supports legal studies and research. Funding is limited to the state of Delaware.
IP TAKE: There are several ways to secure support from this legal services funder, which considers unsolicited grant requests at certain times of the year. While some of its work focuses on providing free or low-cost legal services to vulnerable people, it also makes grants to community organizations throughout the state.
PROFILE: Established in 1981, the Delaware Bar Foundation is a legal bar association foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. The foundation receives IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) and non-IOLTA funding to support its operations. It is governed by 12 members, who serve on the board of directors, serving four-year terms. The foundation aims to “improve the administration of justice in Delaware by providing legal services for the poor, promoting study and research in the field of law, fostering knowledge of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and enhancing public respect for the rule of law.” It funds local efforts for civil legal services.
The Delaware Bar Foundation has a formal grant process to support local programs. It is interested in funding efforts for public access to legal self-help and forms, justice through advocacy, and civic lessons for students. Other interests include job readiness programs for offenders transitioning from prison, reducing domestic violence, preventing homelessness, stopping housing discrimination, and advocating for people with disabilities. In addition to its community grants program, the funder also administers a Bank of America Foreclosure Prevention and Community Redevelopment Grant Program and IOLTA Grant Process, which awards larger grants once per year.
Grants range between about $350 and $400,000. Learn more about this funder’s giving by examining its recent tax records. Past Delaware grantees include Combined Campaign for Justice, Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, La Esperanza, Camp Barnes and Liberty Day.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. It posts a link to its community grant application on the foundation website, and applications should be sent to the foundation via mail and to the attention of Executive Director Melissa Flynn. The board reviews community grant applications twice per year, on April 1 and October 1. The foundation awards IOLTA grants on July 1 and requires those applications to be submitted by the first week of April. Direct general questions to the staff at info@delawarebarfoundation.org or 302-658-0773.
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