From the Grants and Pro Bono Committee
Norman L . Pernick , Cole Schotz , P . C . Chair , Grants Committee
This is my favorite time of year , because all of the hard work that the Foundation and the Grants & Pro Bono Committee ( the “ Committee ”) do seeking donations , soliciting grant applications from across the country , and reviewing applications and deciding priorities , comes to fruition in October and November with the approval of grants and the disbursement of funds to organizations servicing so many in need across the country . The College and the Foundation are again poised to continue to change so many lives due to your generosity . We are now in the middle of the Foundation ’ s campaign to raise funds for 2024 grants , and we hope that by seeing the direct affect across the country that the funds you contribute make that you will again donate generously to the College ’ s effort .
2023 Pro Bono Grants . Once again , the College and the Foundation were able to award grants to pro bono legal service programs that provide assistance to the most vulnerable . This year , because of the generosity of the Fellows and the support of the Foundation , we increased the maximum grant amount from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000 . The College and Foundation awarded $ 518,024 to 44 organizations , funding programs in 25 states plus the District of Columbia . They include grantees in metropolitan areas small and large , including Boston , Chicago , Greenville , Little Rock , Miami , Mobile ,
New Orleans , Philadelphia , Seattle , and Washington , DC . The proposed grantees include grants to 6 new grantees who have not previously received a grant from the Foundation . A full list of our 2023 grantees can be found here .
The grantees are usually local bankruptcy pro bono programs formed by or supported by the bankruptcy bar and bankruptcy judges in that locale . The programs reflect a variety of ways to expand services . Some grantees provide for training and recruitment of additional volunteers to take on pro bono cases . Other applicants request support for self-help or pro se clinics to educate and advise unrepresented individuals in bankruptcy court . Grantees may seek funding for tools to expand the reach of the grantees to serve clients and volunteers , such as bankruptcy software programs , preparation of how-to videos , or tools to provide for website integration . Some provide in person and virtual trainings to volunteers and communications with clients . With a few rare exceptions , the grants do not fund paid lawyers delivering services to clients ( although the grants may support the administrative aspect of running and coordinating volunteer and pro bono efforts ).
As part of our grant process , we ask the agencies that receive the College ’ s funds to tell us their stories of people that they have helped . I am sure you will agree with me after reading just a few of these from our 2022 recipients what an incredible impact your donations continue to have :
• 1st Circuit - Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association . T is a 64 year-
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