If your program supports children's issues, visit (the YLD Children's Assistance Fund website) for information about the IBF/ISBA YLD Children's Assistance Fund grant application process.

Illinois Bar Foundation 2010 Grant Guidelines

Deadline for Submission: March 31, 2010

The Illinois Bar Foundation Grants program seeks to support organizations whose work provides meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means. Nonprofit organizations wishing to submit proposals to the Illinois Bar Foundation should review these guidelines to determine their eligibility and to understand the application process.

Eligibility

The Illinois Bar Foundation awards grants only to 501(c)(3) organizations serving the State of Illinois whose work fits within IBF’s organizational objectives. Bar Associations, though generally 501(c)(6) organizations, are encouraged to apply for project support. Bar Associations should call the Foundation staff prior to submission for specific instructions.

Objectives of IBF’s Grants Program

Grants awarded by the Illinois Bar Foundation will support three organizational objectives:

• Enhance the availability of legal aid to those of limited means.

Projects funded under this category will assist Illinois residents with limited means to resolve their legal problems in the most effective way possible. Programs addressing areas of greatest need or with the greatest impact will receive priority.

• Encourage pro-bono legal work.

Projects funded under this category will create new pro bono opportunities, with an emphasis on practice areas outside of family law; provide educational opportunities for pro bono attorneys; or retain and recognize the efforts of current pro bono attorneys.

• Educate Illinois residents regarding their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Projects funded under this category will create educational materials for legal aid clients on the legal problems they may encounter. The project should have a clear distribution plan that includes posting on Illinois Legal Aid Online.

The Illinois Bar Foundation prefers projects that have a statewide or regional impact. Programs with a local impact must show evidence of the significance of the program to the locality and local support for the project.

The Illinois Bar Foundation prefers projects that are new or innovative approaches that require seed money to launch and programs that are the result of collaboration among multiple organizations. The Foundation will fund general operating expenses only when the organization’s mission fits squarely within the Illinois Bar Foundation’s organizational objectives.

Excluded Activities

The Illinois Bar Foundation will not fund grant applications for:

• Projects with no nexus to the State of Illinois
• Endowment campaigns
• Political campaigns, election activities or other political activities that are inconsistent with the organization’s tax-exempt status.
• Fundraising benefits or mass appeal solicitations (However, the Foundation reserves the right to participate in organizations’ fundraising benefits with funds outside the traditional grants program when it deems necessary or appropriate).

• Fraternal groups
• Individual places of worship
• Sectarian organizations (unless participation in the program is not limited by religion)
• Individual pre-K – 12 schools (public or private)
• Individual Scouting organizations
• Scholarships for individuals

Instructions for Completing a Grant Application

• Download a Grant Application in Word
• Submit only one application per organization.
• Applications should be emailed to IBFGrants@isba.org or mailed to the Foundation’s Chicago or Springfield addresses.
• Do not use staples, spiral binding, folders or special covers. Use paper clips or binder clips.
• Review the Application Check List to ensure the submission of all materials. Applications will not be considered complete until all materials are received.

Application Deadline

Applications are due to the Illinois Bar Foundation by 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2010.

Timeline for Application & Review

Proposals submitted by the March 31st deadline will be considered at the Foundation’s June Board of Directors meeting. The Foundation reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, at any time, in its sole discretion. The Foundation generally receives substantially more requests than it can fund and there is no guarantee that any particular project or organization will receive funding or receive the full amount requested. We encourage you to call if you have questions about these guidelines or about a particular proposal.

Grant Evaluation Criteria

Proposals submitted to the Illinois Bar Foundation will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The relative importance of the program to the Foundation’s objectives.
• The impact of the program on the issue it addresses.
• The availability of funding from other sources.
• Whether Foundation funding will leverage funds from other sources.
• Whether the organization is doing an effective job of coordinating its services with other similar organizations.
• The involvement of the legal community in the program.
• Whether the organization is efficient and well managed.
• The capability of the organization to successfully manage the program.
• Whether the Foundation grant will have a material impact on the organization’s operating budget.
• Whether the organization has mechanisms in place to regularly evaluate and improve the services it provides.

Conditions of Illinois Bar Foundation Grants

• All materials submitted to the Foundation become the property of the Foundation and will not be returned.
• Information contained in the proposals submitted may be shared with third parties and outside organizations as part of the Foundation’s review process.
• The Foundation, in its discretion, may request a site visit and/or additional information to assist in its review and evaluation of the proposal.
• The Illinois Bar Foundation reserves the property rights, copyrights and all other rights of reproduction with respect to any intellectual property for which service is provided as a condition of this grant
• Grant awards must be used strictly in accordance with the proposal and budget submitted in writing to the Foundation. A grant recipient must petition the Foundation for permission to make any changes or alternate use of grant funds.
• If there are significant changes in a grant recipient’s mission, structure or personnel (especially management staff) during the grant period, the grant recipient must notify the Foundation as soon as possible.
• Foundation funds must be expended within 12 months of the date of the award. The Executive Director may grant a six-month extension if there has been a good-faith effort to complete the project.
• Grant recipients are responsible for the proper expenditure of funds and for maintaining adequate supporting records consistent with generally accepted accounting practices.

For More Information

For more information about the Illinois Bar Foundation’s grant guidelines and procedures, contact Lisa Corrao, IBF Executive Director, at 312.920.4683.