Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) (Louisiana)

 
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    CFDA#

     

    Funder Type

    Private Foundation

    IT Classification

    C - Funds little to no technology

    Authority

    Louisiana Bar Foundation

    Summary

    The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) supports programs that provide free legal services for the poor in all 64 parishes. The foundation is currently supporting the following grant programs:

    • Building Capital Development Grant: The Building Capital Development (BCD) Grants Program awards grants to current grantees with the purpose of assisting in the acquisition of an office building and/or property. Acquisition projects will be eligible for consideration, including planning, architectural and renovation expenses.
    • Children's Legal Services Grants: The Children's Legal Services grant program helps to provide legal assistance to needy children in areas of law which affect their safety, well-being, and future development. Annual grants are available to: organizations providing direct legal representation of children, in matters ranging from delinquency to access to special education, mental health, and foster care services; organizations engaging in impact litigation and/or systemic legal reform efforts on behalf of children; organizations that provide lay advocacy for children in legal proceedings; and organizations that assist with the administration of justice with respect to children. As with all Bar Foundation funds, priority will be given to organizations providing direct legal representation. 
    • Domestic Violence Programs: These agencies enable people to leave abusive relationships and seek safety for themselves and their children. Essential services provided by these agencies are shelter, 24-hour crisis line, legal services, education of domestic/dating violence, and establishing collaborative relationships with law enforcement, judges, clerks of court, and prosecutors. 
    • Law-Related Education Grants: The LBF awards grants to non-profit 501c3 entities for law-related educational programs benefiting children and/or the public. Law-related education is the teaching of legal rights, responsibilities, and the role of the citizen by bringing together teachers, community leaders, and legal professionals. These programs provide lesson plans for teachers to initiate the critical thinking and problem solving built around the civic content of rules, laws, and the legal system. Topics include the concept of mediation, conflict resolution, the electoral college, and crime statistics and consequences.
    • Legal Service Corporations: Eligible programs are funded by the LSC federal agency and provide civil legal services to the indigent in each parish of the state. Attorneys and paralegals, provide free legal services in many areas of the law including: spouse abuse, divorce, child custody, adoptions, child support, child in need of care matters, child abuse and neglect, medicare benefits, unemployment compensation, veterans benefits, social security and SSI claims, welfare, public housing, and landlord/tenant matters.
    • Other Direct Legal Services Providers: Through staff attorneys and paralegals, these programs provide legal services of a special nature such as mental health and child advocacy mediation.
    • Pro Bono Projects: Often operated by the local bar association, these projects utilize the local private bar to handle cases for the poor pro bono in many legal areas as indicated above.
    • Loan Repayment Assistance Program: The LBF is dedicated to making a career in civil legal aid more competitive with other legal fields. Our Loan Repayment Assistance Program does just that by providing forgivable loans to attorneys working at an organization supported by the LBF.
    • Self-Represented Litigants: Louisiana courts and legal service programs are struggling to meet the increasing needs of self-represented litigants (SRL). This demand threatens the fair administration of justice across our state. To help ensure equal access and justice for all, LBF created a new funding category for nonprofit organizations to develop innovative solutions to assist and empower individuals to gain meaningful access to our courts. These initiatives include self-help centers, pro se clinics, unbundled legal services, mediation programs, and much more.
     

    History of Funding

    Previous grantees can be seen at https://www.raisingthebar.org/what-we-do/list-of-grantees.

    Additional Information

    The Foundation will not make grants to:

    • political campaigns;
    • organizations engaging in lobbying activities on a regular and recurring basis; 
    • support travel, either by groups or individuals; 
    • endowment campaigns; 
    • fund individual scholarships or stipends; or 
    • lawyers in the private practice of law.

    Limitations on Use of Grant Funds to Purchase or Renovate Real Property 

    • An Expenditure of Grant funds in a grant year for costs associated with the purchase of real property that exceeds annual fair market rental costs for property similar in size, location and improvements will be approved only if the expenditure will allow a Recipient either:
      • To obtain long-term occupancy costs that are less than fair market rental costs for property similar in size, location and improvements; or
      • To obtain long-term occupancy costs that are less than fair market rental costs for property reasonable suited to Recipients program, even if long-term occupancy costs are greater than fair market rental costs for property similar in size, location and improvements if the Expenditure will allow the Recipient:
        • To consolidate office location or permit continued occupancy after expiration of a lease; or
        • To provide access to a unique space otherwise unavailable. Even if one of the above factors (1) or (2) is present, the LBF may choose not to fund the proposed Expenditure if the LBF finds that the proposed Expenditure would not be in accordance with the purpose or objectives of this Grant Program.
    • No Expenditure shall be approved for a purchase of real property if the purchase price exceeds fair market value for that property. 
    • No Expenditure shall be approved, even if in technical compliance with these Guidelines, if the Expenditure is designed or intended to evade the purpose of these Guidelines to ensure that all Grant funds are used in accordance with the purpose and objectives of the Grant Program. 
    • These Guidelines shall not apply to Grant funds that are being used for debt service or similar payments for real property (1) that the Recipient purchased or received as a gift prior November 3, 2006, or (2) the purchase or renovation of which was approved five or more years prior to the grant year for which the Grant funds are to be allocated. 
    • These Guidelines shall not apply to Grant funds used for costs associated with real property if the costs are being incurred in accordance with a Budget previously approved by the LBF. 
    • The LBF may deny approval of Expenditures that would otherwise be permissible if the LBF finds that the Expenditure would conflict with the purpose of the Grant Program because of plans (1) to purchase or renovate real property jointly with or to lease real property to other persons or entities, or (2) to allow programs of the Recipient not qualified to receive Grant funds to use the real property. 

    Contacts

    Renee B. LeBoeuf

    Renee B. LeBoeuf
    1615 Poydras Street, Suite 1000
    New Orleans, LA 70112
    504-561-1046
    504-566-1926
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Eligibility varies by program area. Generally, the foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations serving the state of Louisiana.

    Deadline Details

    Applications are accepted throughout the year. The Grants Committee is scheduled to meet in April and announcements of the grant award decisions will be mailed to applicants in May.

    Award Details

    Award amounts vary based on program area.


    The Building Capital Development (BCD) Grants Program awards grants up to $25,000. Acquisition projects will be eligible for consideration, including planning, architectural and renovation expenses, for up to eight (8) years of funding or a maximum of $200,000. Renovation only projects will be eligible for consideration for up to five (5) years of funding or a maximum of $125,000. Matching is required.


    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program provides forgivable loans of up to $5,000 per year. The loan is disbursed quarterly and is forgiven after completion of 12 months employment at the legal aid provider.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts


    • New Funding Opportunities for K-12 School Safety - Sponsored by NetApp - Playback Available
    • Funding to Address High Crime Areas within Your Community - Sponsored by NetApp - Playback Available
    • Funding to Enhance Response, Investigation, and Prosecution of Domestic Violence - Sponsored by Panasonic - Playback Available

 

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