Report of the North Dakota Bar Foundation To the SBAND General Assembly , June 10 , 2020
By Jack McDonald , Chair
The North Dakota Bar Foundation ( NDBF ) is a nonprofit organization that fulfills two roles and is guided by its mission . One role is to administer the state ’ s Income on Lawyer Trust Accounts ( IOLTA ) program , which collects funds from lawyer trust accounts and uses the funds to provide programs for civil legal services to those who can afford it least , for public education about the law , and for the improvement of the administration of justice .
The NDBF ' s second role provides a more public service function . We use the money we raise from our own membership contributions and raised during our annual silent auction and other fundraising to support public service programs . Today , I will provide a brief update on both missions of the NDBF .
Update on IOLTA accounts
As of December 31 , 2019 , this program generated $ 80 , 504.01 in net IOLTA revenue and interest . For the fiscal year 2020 , the NDBF Board of Directors will continue its support of legal services to those who cannot afford a lawyer by funding a grant to Legal Services of North Dakota to provide direct legal services to the poor .
In 2015-2016 , the NDBF received funds from a settlement between the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) and Bank of America in the amount of $ 1,018,394 , which was credited to the IOLTA account . The funds were only to be used to support legal aid organizations in the state of North Dakota for foreclosure prevention legal assistance and community redevelopment legal assistance .
Distribution of Bank of America Funds
The NDBF received two grant requests for the Bank of America Settlement funds . The first was from Legal Services of North Dakota , and the second from High Plains Fair Housing . The NDBF awarded two grants as follows :
Legal Services of North Dakota $ 908,132 [$ 227,033 / year for four years ]
High Plains Fair Housing $ 109,606 [$ 54,803 / year for two years ]
The NDBF Board of Directors has required annual reports from both entities on the use of the funds granted , and the program is working well .
Distribution of IOLTA funds in 2019
In 2019 , the following grant was awarded :
Legal Services of North Dakota |
$ 30,000 |
TOTAL |
$ 30,000 |
The NDBF ' s public service mission
The NDBF provides funds to programs that encourage pro bono and other public service by lawyers and those involved with the justice system .
The NDBF Board of Directors approved continued funding for the Law School in honor of Professor Randy Lee . In addition , scholarships were approved for the Law Review Case / Note Comment award , homecoming scholarships for the top first-year law students , and a grant to UND School of Law for its public interest law internship program .
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