INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-2008 GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION & GENERAL GUIDELINES
* Note to Applicants: Please review this entire document and the grant application carefully; the IOLTA grant application has changed in 2007 *
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT & GUIDELINES
The Boston Bar Foundation (BBF) is pleased to announce the availability of applications for the 2007/2008 IOLTA Grants Program.
THE MASSACHUSETTS IOLTA PROGRAM
The Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) is a program mandated by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). It requires lawyers and law firms to establish interest-bearing accounts for client funds that are nominal in amount or expected to be held for a short period of time. Interest on these accounts is forwarded from a bank or savings and loan association to the Massachusetts IOLTA Committee. The MA IOLTA Committee then distributes these IOLTA funds to three charitable entities proportionally, according to the population/geography served by each: the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (67%), the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (26%) and the Boston Bar Foundation (7%).
The Supreme Judicial Court Order limits the use of IOLTA to two purposes: 1) to provide civil legal services to low-income clients and 2) to improve the administration of justice.
The Boston Bar Foundation awards IOLTA funds in a highly competitive application process using review criteria that advance the SJC’s mandated use of IOLTA funds.
In 2006-07, the Boston Bar Foundation distributed $1,053,521 in IOLTA funds to 45 projects. Grants ranged in amounts from $5,000 to $300,000. The average BBF IOLTA grant award was approximately $ 23,000. CORE FUNDING OBJECTIVES OF BBF IOLTA GRANT MAKING:
The Boston Bar Foundation invites applications from eligible non-profit organizations in Massachusetts for projects that advance the following objectives:
o Provide civil legal services to low-income persons and/or underserved populations, especially organizations and programs that respond to an identified and unmet legal need.
o Result in the development and strengthening of pro bono programs which generate substantial voluntary legal services by the private bar to low-income and underserved populations.
o Conduct activities that demonstrably contribute to the improvement of the administration of justice in Massachusetts, i.e., projects that directly improve the courts’ effectiveness, address systemic problems in the court system, or provide information to low-income, underserved or special needs populations regarding their legal rights and/or accessibility to the courts.
ELIGIBILITY FOR A BOSTON BAR FOUNDATION IOLTA GRANT:
The Boston Bar Foundation awards IOLTA grants to organizations—no funding is available for individuals. Priority is given to 501(c)(3) organizations, though under certain circumstances grants may be made to other 501(c) organizations with specific charitable programs that fit the Foundation’s guidelines and funding priorities.
The following are excluded from consideration for BBF IOLTA grants:
o religious organizations; political campaigns; capital campaigns; endowment campaigns; scholarship funds; organizations established primarily to lobby; universities or law schools, or programs/clinics run through universities or law schools; mock trial programs; law enforcement or correctional agencies; independent conferences/events, research and/or studies unrelated to a program that delivers legal services or improves access to justice of low-income or underserved populations; or funds in support of travel, either by groups or individuals.
Please be advised that IOLTA funding can be used only for programs that involve civil legal issues; programs involving criminal or delinquency legal issues cannot be funded by the IOLTA Grants Program.
IOLTA funds may not be used to support any social service or lobbying components of an applicant’s proposed program, nor to fund programs that provide for the constitutional or statutory obligations of government. To be eligible to receive IOLTA funds from the Boston Bar Foundation, an applicant must comply with the following:
1. Submit a complete written proposal pursuant to Boston Bar Foundation guidelines and format requirements, with an Executive Summary that is not to exceed one page. 2. Demonstrate a capacity to administer, implement, execute, and evaluate the program for which funds are granted in an effective and efficient manner. 3. Agree to submit a mid-year report of no more than 4(four) pages and also a final report summarizing how the funds have been spent, activities undertaken, results attained, and valuable experience or products that could be shared with other agencies, as well as any other information requested by the Boston Bar Foundation. 4. Enter into a written agreement with the Boston Bar Foundation in which the applicant agrees to comply with all the grant policies of the Boston Bar Foundation and carry out the program for which the funds are requested. 5. Deliver services to clients in a non-discriminatory manner without regard to the clients’ race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference or national origin. 6. Publicly acknowledge the support of the Boston Bar Foundation in the organization’s written materials. 7. Agree to cooperate with the BBF’s grant management activities, e.g. staff site visits.
Geographic Parameters of Boston Bar Foundation Grantmaking:
The Boston Bar Foundation’s grant making focuses on organizations and programs in the Greater Boston area, i.e., within Route 128. There are, however, limited exceptions: e.g., when a determination is made by the Grants Committee that a substantial percentage of an organization’s clients live within Greater Boston, even though the organization may technically be located beyond the boundaries of Route 128. GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA:
The Boston Bar Foundation awards IOLTA funds in a highly competitive application process using stringent review criteria. The Boston Bar Foundation makes funding determinations for eligible non-profit grant applicants based on a number of criteria, including whether the program advances the core funding objectives (outlined on p.1, above) of the IOLTA program, its financial stability, collaboration and efficient use of resources, its mission and demonstrated impact on the community. o Fiscal stability of the organization and/or sustainability of project:
The Boston Bar Foundation awards IOLTA grants to programs which demonstrate fiscal stability and that actively seek financial support from other sources. The Boston Bar Foundation favors funding programs that minimize overhead costs and demonstrate a sound, long-term funding plan with a diversified revenue stream.
Grant applications should detail sources of income in addition to the IOLTA funds requested. Applicants should provide detail about the entire organizational budget and for the specific expenses for which Boston Bar Foundation support is sought. Requests for renewed funding of a previously supported program must include a rationale for any increase in funding requested. o Organizational Mission & Impact:
The Boston Bar Foundation supports innovative or supportive civil legal services programs that provide direct representation/advocacy by an attorney for low-income clients on matters relating to legal needs and/or access to the justice system. It also supports programs that train pro bono attorneys to manage cases, especially in underserved areas of law.
In making its grant determinations, the BBF will consider organizational impact and effectiveness in fulfilling a compelling unmet legal need, as well as the number of clients served by each project (for projects that serve a relatively small client base, a determination will be made whether the project fills a crucial but unmet need). Grant applicants should clearly outline the legal needs the program will address, as well as the target population for the services.
For programs that seek to improve the administration of justice, preference is given to projects that demonstrably increase the efficiency of the court system and/or address systemic or access issues in the court system, particularly those that affect low-income, underserved or special needs populations. o Collaboration:
The Boston Bar Foundation favors projects and initiatives that collaborate with existing programs, avoid duplication of services and maximize available resources to serve unmet current or emerging legal needs. Projects that demonstrate an innovative approach to the delivery of legal services or access to the access to justice through interdisciplinary collaboration with other service providers that work with low income populations are particularly encouraged to apply. GRANT APPLICATION TIMETABLE:
07-08 IOLTA BBF Application Deadline: May 25, 2007 Notification of Grantees: August 01, 2007 Disbursement of First Half Funds: September 04, 2007 Semi-Annual Progress Report Due: February 15, 2008 Disbursement of Second Half Funds: March 05, 2008 Year-End Report Due: September 10, 2008
GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW PROCEDURES:
All IOLTA grant applications submitted to the Boston Bar Foundation will be screened initially by the BBF staff to establish 1) the eligibility of the applicant to receive IOLTA funds, and 2) that the application is complete and includes the required documentation. Please submit all required information and materials. Incomplete grant applications--e.g., missing or incomplete information that is required--may be disqualified from consideration. Boston Bar Foundation staff will be contacting each applicant to schedule a site visit (or telephonic interview where a visit is not possible) during the month of June 2007.
All applications will then be submitted to the Boston Bar Foundation Grants Committee, which will review the applications received and submit their recommendations to the Board of Trustees of the Boston Bar Foundation for approval. Please be advised that there is no appeal process for funding decisions.
APPLICATION FORMAT REQUIREMENTS:
A complete IOLTA grant application should include the following:
1) Part 1: Grant Application Cover Sheet
2) Part 2: Budget Forms (2A: Expenses; 2B: Revenue & General Organizational Finances)
3) Part 3: Executive Summary
4) Part 4: Grant Proposal Narrative, the maximum length of which is four (4) pages, responding to the questions in the attached Grant Proposal Narrative Format
Information to be submitted as Appendices to the Grant Application include:
a) One copy of the applicant organization’s most recent audited financial statement
b) IRS Exemption letter/certificate
c) Copy of the applicant organization’s current Board of Directors
All proposals should be submitted on one side of 8 ½” x 11” paper, unbound.
Please DO NOT STAPLE application materials . APPLICATION DEADLINE & SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
2007-08 BBF IOLTA Grant applications should be submitted by mail or by hand
on or before 5:00pm on FRIDAY MAY 25, 2006:
BBF Grants Committee c/o Georgia D. Katsoulomitis Boston Bar Foundation 16 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108
NOTE: Late applications will not be accepted without advance notification & approval by the BBF Managing Director.
For questions or additional information regarding the application process, please contact: Georgia Katsoulomitis, BBF Managing Director Tel: 617-778-1948 E-Mail: [email protected]
# # # INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-2008
GRANT APPLICATION MATERIALS (5 PAGES)
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION: ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007 1
INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-08 PART 1: GRANT APPLICATION – COVER SHEET
NAME OF ORGANIZATION/APPLICANT: ______ADDRESS: ______
CITY: ______COUNTY: ______
ZIP: ______PHONE: ______
FAX: ______
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: ______
PROJECT NAME (if applicable): ______
AMOUNT REQUESTED: ______PAYABLE TO (if different than above): ______
TAX-EXEMPT ELIGIBILITY: ______(Please attach copy of IRS exemption letter.)
______agrees to carry out the activities described in this proposal, if granted funds by the Boston Bar Foundation, and to report to the Boston Bar Foundation on the progress and results as requested by the Boston Bar Foundation.
Date: ______Submitted by: ______
Title: ______Organization: ______
IF THE BOSTON BAR FOUNDATION HAS ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL, CONTACT:
NAME: ______
TITLE: ______
PHONE: ______EMAIL:______
IF WE ARE AWARDED A GRANT BY THE BOSTON BAR FOUNDATION, PLEASE SEND THE CHECK TO:
NAME: ______
TITLE: ______
ADDRESS: ______
______
EMAIL: ______PHONE: ______2 INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-08 PART 2A: GRANT APPLICATION – BUDGET SHEET: EXPENSES
NAME OF ORGANIZATION / APPLICANT:______
PROJECT NAME: ______
ORGANIZATION FISCAL YEAR: ____/____/____ - ____/____/____
GRANT PERIOD: September 01, 2007 - August 31, 2008
A. PROJECT EXPENSES :
Personnel Expenses:
% OF TIME AMOUNT TOTAL SALARY ALLOCATED TO TOTAL EMPLOYEE REQUESTED JOB TITLE & BENEFITS (FTE) PROJECT PROJECT COST * FROM BBF
*Total Employee Project Cost = Total Salary & Benefits (FTE) X % of Time Allocated to the Project
TOTAL PERSONNEL EXPENSES: $ ______$ ______(BBF REQUEST)
Non-Personnel Expenses:
AMOUNT REQUESTED ITEM TOTAL FUNDING FROM BBF Office Space Equipment Rental / Purchase Supplies Training Insurance Printing/Copying Telephone/Fax Postage and Delivery Litigation Contract Services / Consultants & professional Fees (Please specify) Other: Indirect Costs (Please explain)
TOTAL NON-PERSONNEL EXPENSES: $______$ ______(BBF REQUEST)
TOTAL PROJECT EXPENSES: $______TOTAL BBF FUNDING REQUEST: $______3
INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-08 PART 2B: GRANT APPLICATION – BUDGET SHEET: REVENUE & GENERAL FINANCIAL INFO
B. PROJECT REVENUE :
Revenue Source Status * $ Amount
* Status: Please note whether support is currently available, pending or conditional on BBF grant
TOTAL PROJECT REVENUE: $______
C. GENERAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
List your organization’s annual operating results or budget for the following years:
Revenue Over (or Under) Unrestricted Fund Year Total Revenues Total Expenditures Expenditures Balances 2007 2006 2005 2004
D. TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS IN RESERVE OR ENDOWMENT(S): $______
Please explain any current budget deficits –or- other significant matters which may affect your organization’s current or future financial position: 4
INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-08 PART 3: GRANT APPLICATION – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Please provide the following summary information. For your convenience, you may choose to copy and fill out this Executive Summary or create your own one-page version using the headings below.
1. Legal name of the lead organization, address, and name of Executive Director 2. IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit: Yes No 2a) If no, identify your fiscal agent and attach the written agreement from fiscal agent. 3. Contact person for this project and title (if different from Executive Director): 4. Telephone number and fax number (with area codes) 5. Amount requested from BBF: $______% of Total Project Budget ______% of Total Organizational Budget 6. Total organizational budget: $______7. Type of Funding Request (please specify): ___General Operating Support ___Project-related funding ___NEW Project ___EXISTING Project 8. If seed funding is sought for a new project within an existing organization, briefly: a) describe the demonstrated need for the new project; b) outline plans for long-term sustainability, i.e. proposed sources of funding beyond the BBF IOLTA grant; and c) describe how the BBF grant could be leveraged to secure funding and support for this project. 10. Short summary (4 sentences) of the organization’s/project’s mission.
11. Short summary (4 sentences) of the project proposal and its strategic link with the missions of the BBF and the IOLTA program (i.e., civil legal services for low-income individuals/populations and/or improvements in the administration of justice). 13. Describe the proposal’s a) target population and b) approximate number of clients served annually. 14. Describe the organization’s/project’s geographic reach. Is the organization/project located within Greater Boston (i.e., within Route 128)? If not, what percentage of the clients served live within Greater Boston/ Route 128? 5
INTEREST ON LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) 2007-2008 PART 4: GRANT APPLICATION – GRANT PROPOSAL NARRATIVE FORMAT
Each grant application must include a written Grant Proposal Narrative, the maximum length of which is not to exceed 4 (four) pages. Please provide all the requested information, in the following order, using the headings below:
A. ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: Provide brief description of the applicant organization, including date incorporated or established and mission statement. Submit a list of the current governing board as an appendix to the application.
B. PROJECT OBJECTIVE(S): Describe objectives of the project for which funds are requested, including history of operation. If funds are being sought for “general support” or maintenance funding, please indicate so and describe intended use.
C. TARGET POPULATION & ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICE: Provide a description of the target population and client eligibility guidelines for the project. Indicate the approximate total number of people served and to what extent the program serves low-income populations.
D. METHODS FOR MEETING PROJECT OBJECTIVES: Describe the methods by which the project’s objective are to be accomplished, including project activities, type and number of staff and volunteers, client intake and assessment procedures (if applicable).
E. PROJECT BUDGET INFORMATION: Briefly describe the amount of funds requested, when expenses are anticipated the program year, and the request as a percentage of the total project budget. Include a budget for the project (as well as for the parent organization), and how funds will be expended, using the form provided (applications should be made for no more than a 12-month budget period). Adjust the project budget to reflect the September 01, 2007 – August 31, 2008 BBF IOLTA funding cycle.
F. SOURCES OF REVENUE: Detail other revenue sought or available for this project, and indicate status of non-BBF funding (e.g., currently available, pending, etc.). If grant request is for seed money for a new project, please include a detailed plan that addresses future funding and the sustainability of the project without reliance on further BBF funding.
G. RATIONALE FOR INCREASED FUNDING REQUEST: If you are applying for renewed BBF IOLTA funding for an on-going project/organization, please provide a reason/rationale for any substantial increase (i.e., an increase of more than 10% of the prior year’s grant award) in the amount requested this year.
H. TIMEFRAME FOR PROJECT COMPLETION (if applicable): Describe the period of time expected to complete the project if funding is sought for a short-term endeavor. (N/A if funds sought for on-going project.)
I. EVALUATION AND MEASURES OF PROJECT EFFECTIVENESS: Describe the method to be used in evaluating and measuring the effectiveness of the project; i.e. how the organization will determine whether the project has fulfilled its objectives.
J. AUDIT MECHANISM: Indicate audit mechanism that will be utilized to provide accountability for funds requested. Attach copy of most recent audit report, if available, or most recent financial statements (one copy only) in the appendix.
K. PROOF OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS: If you are a recognized tax-exempt organization, attach a copy of your IRS determination letter(s) in the appendix. If not, describe your charitable activities. [# END #]