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2009 Grant Application  

Deadline for submission is the end of the business day July 3, 2008

The Louisiana Bar Foundation awards grants to Louisiana non-profit organizations that provide access to the justice system and civil legal assistance to Louisiana’s low-income citizens. Grants categories are as follows:

Legal Assistance to the Poor (LAP)
Grants are awarded to non-profit 501c3 entities for the provision of direct legal services to indigent clients. The LBF recognizes four (types of programs that qualify for LAP funding: Legal service Corporations (LSC); Pro Bono Projects (PBP); Domestic Violence Programs (DVP); and Other/Specialized Legal Services (OLS).

Law Related Education (LRE)
Grants are awarded to non-profit 501c3 entities for the provision of law-related educational programs to children and/or the public.

Juvenile Justice Programs (JJP)
Grants are awarded to non-profit 501c3 entities that assist with the administration of juvenile justice. The LBF recognizes three types of programs that qualify for this funding: Teen Courts, Court Appointed Special Advocates and other Juvenile Justice Programs

Guidlines

A) Applications should be made for the 2009 twelve month (calendar year) budget period. If the applicant has a different fiscal year, please indicate in the application your organization’s financial statement year-end date.

B) Grant requests must be consistent with the tax-exempt public purposes prescribed by the Foundation and with applicable Internal Revenue Code regulations and rulings (including those under Section 501(c)(3). Those programs submitting an application with a ‘pending’ IRS status must receive an official ruling prior to the start of the evaluation of grant applications (September) in order for the application to be considered.

C) Applicants must identify a desginated Foundation category for funding in order to be considered by the Grants Committee.

D) All grant recipients are expected to meet the Foundation’s criteria by which their projects will be reviewed at least annually and to assist the Foundation in conducting periodic evaluations.

E) Applicants should demonstrate fiscal responsibility, program stability and an ability to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of quality services.

F) Significant weight will be given to applicants with a history of a clear ability to provide a successful program.

G) Consideration will be given to the proportion of the public proposed to be served within a geographic area and the breadth of services proposed to be offered. Short-term and long-term impact per grant dollar will be given consideration in this context.

H) Funds will not be awarded to provide legal assistance with respect to any fee-generating case. (For Legal Services Corporation grantees and subgrantees, only those fee-generating cases permitted for non- LSC funds to provide representation in cases in which statutory attorney fees are awarded and in which representation is allowed under the provisions of 45 CFR §1609, when: a. the collection of such fees will not diminish the return to the client; and b. such fees are paid directly to the pro bono project or donated to the pro bono project by the attorney will be permitted.)

I) All grant recipients will be expected to execute the Foundation’s Grant Agreement within 30 days of notification of an award.

J) Applicant organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt organizations under the laws of the
State of Louisiana and the Internal Revenue Code or as other not-for-profit entities. Those programs submitting an application with a ‘pending’ IRS status must receive an official ruling prior to the start of the evaluation of grant applications in order for the application to be considered.

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.

K) For applicants seeking grants for the provision of legal aid to the poor, the following additional
guidelines will apply:

  • pro bono publico programs will be encouraged;
  • the use of grant funds in contracting or subcontracting with private attorneys is discouraged;
  • priority will be given to applications requesting funds for the direct representation of clients; and
  • programs which actively participate in a local or state Pro Bono Project will receive high priority.

L) Any grant is contingent upon, and expressly subject to, the availability of funds from the Grants Program administered by the Louisiana Bar Foundation. The grant of an award or the payment of any part or portion thereof, is subject to the sole exclusive discretion of the Bar Foundation and may be withheld or withdrawn by the Foundation for any reason whatsoever. In the event that the payment of an award is restrained or otherwise precluded by any court order or delayed, deferred or withdrawn by the Foundation in its sole discretion, the grant agreement contract acknowledges that the Foundation is not responsible or liable for any losses, claims or damages, special or consequential losses or damages, loss of anticipated revenue, recoveries, or collections, or any other financial or economic loss, however caused, arising out of the non-payment of an award, or any portion thereof. No additional or future funding may be implied when a grant is made.

M) If, after receiving any applicant’s grant proposal, the staff or Grants Committee feels additional information will be helpful or necessary to properly consider the application, they may request that such information be timely supplied.

N) Grants are awarded through an annual and competitive process. All decisions of the Louisiana Bar Foundation are final for funding in 2009.

Please be sure to read the guidelines, policies and instructions for required forms.
Guides are available to you throughout the grant application process.

Here are a few things to note:

  • the Statistical Summary Sheet is required for all Legal Assistance to the Poor (LAP) and Juvenile Justice Program (JJP) applicants.
  • Law-Related Education to the Public programs do not complete a Statistical Summary Sheet.
  • if more than one form is appropriate, you should prepare separate grant applications as required in the instructions.

Please keep in mind that a grant application will not be considered unless all required information is submitted in accordance with the application guidelines and checklist. If you need any assistance during the application process, there is a “Help” link  on every page of the application or you may call Kevin Murphy at 504/561-1046. The Grants Committee is scheduled to meet on November 7, 2008 and announcements of the 2008 grant award decisions will be mailed to applicants on or before December 7, 2008.

Any grant is contingent upon and expressly subject to the availability of funds administered by the Louisiana Bar Foundation. The grant of an award or the payment of any part or portion thereof, is subject to the sole executive discretion of the Louisiana Bar Foundation and may be withheld or withdrawn by the Foundation for any reason whatsoever. In the event that the payment of an award is restrained or otherwise precluded by any court order or delayed, deferred or withdrawn by the Foundation in its sole discretion, the grant agreement contract acknowledges that the Foundation is not responsible or liable for any losses, claims or damages, special or consequential losses or damages, loss of anticipated revenue, recoveries, or collections, or any other financial or economic loss, however caused, arising out of the non-payment of an award, or any portion thereof. No additional or future funding may be implied when a grant is made. Grants are awarded through an annual and competitive process. All decisions of the Louisiana Bar Foundation are final for funding in 2009.