From the Grants and Pro Bono Committee
Norman L . Pernick , Cole Schotz , P . C . Chair , Grants and Pro Bono Committee
I am very proud and excited to acknowledge the tremendous work of the 40 + members of the Grants and Pro Bono Committee ( the “ Committee ”) over the past year . Support for access to justice is an important part of the mission of the Foundation and the College , and that mission is executed by the Committee . On behalf of the Committee and our grantees , I thank the College , the Foundation , the DEI Committee and the fellows , whose support and generosity make the grants possible . You have made the College and the Foundation the largest private funder of pro bono programs in the Country , and you have enabled us to provide a lifeline of assistance to the most vulnerable and diverse populations our grantees serve .
Pro Bono Grants
In 2023 , the College and Foundation awarded $ 518,024 ( an increase of $ 61,437 over 2022 ) to 44 organizations , funding programs in 25 states plus the District of Columbia . Our grantees come from across the country , in cities large and small , as well as in rural areas . We fund programs designed to maximize the reach of our grantees by increasing volunteers and expanding and leveraging resources . Applications include requests to fund ( i ) pro bono clinics and volunteer attorney trainings to recruit additional volunteers , or expand the reach of volunteer attorneys , ( ii ) self help desks and pro se clinics to assist those individuals who must navigate the process on their own , ( iii ) development of training or informational videos to reach pro bono attorneys or potential clients , ( iv ) software and hardware upgrades to enable remote connections to clients , and ( v ) community education and outreach , to provide individuals with needed information on debt and bankruptcy relief .
The following are two examples of programs funded with the 2023 grants :
• Legal Aid Society of San Diego launched San Diego ’ s Bankruptcy Self-Help Center in 2016 and its Bankruptcy Clinic in 2017 (“ the Clinic ”). LASSD continues to be the only organization in San Diego providing these services . Their services not only benefit the public , but they also benefit private attorneys , trustees and judges in San Diego who all regularly refer debtors and creditors to the Clinic . By ensuring that proper individuals get accurate information about their general options and the bankruptcy process , the Clinic helps the court system run more smoothly and efficiently , which benefits all involved . Last year , using ACBF funds , LASSD was able to make it vastly easier for clients to attend virtual 341a hearings . In the past , some of their clients found it difficult to participate in Zoombased 341a hearings because they did not have access to a private location with secure and reliable internet , or they did not understand how to use the technology . In response to this problem , LASSD used ACBF funds to purchase equipment that made it possible for them to use Zoom in their offices for their hearings . This allowed them to provide technical guidance while
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