Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $4.3-6.7 million (recent awards range from $4.3M to historic high of $6.7M)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications typically due in March; decisions announced by June/July
• Grant Range: Variable (awards often for less than full amount requested)
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (statewide)
• Total Assets: $14.5 million (2023 990 filing)
• Total Revenue: $8.6 million (year ending 12/2023)

Contact Details

• Website: massbarfoundation.org
• Phone: (617) 338-0500
• Email: foundation@massbar.org
• Address: 20 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
• Pre-Application Contact: New applicants MUST contact the MBF Grants Office at foundation@massbar.org to discuss proposals before submitting

Overview

Founded in 1964, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (MBF) is the Commonwealth's premier legal charity and the philanthropic partner of the Massachusetts Bar Association. The MBF represents the commitment of lawyers and judges in Massachusetts to improve the administration of justice, promote understanding of the law, and ensure equal access to the legal system for all residents, particularly those most vulnerable.

As one of three charitable entities in Massachusetts charged with distributing Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA) funds—receiving 26 per cent of total IOLTA interest—the MBF has been a steward of these funds since 1987. The Foundation recently awarded a historic $6.7 million through its IOLTA Grants Programme to 93 civil legal aid programmes, the highest amount in MBF history. With over $14 million in assets and annual revenue exceeding $8 million, the MBF addresses a critical need in Massachusetts civil legal aid.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

1. IOLTA Grants Programme (Primary Programme)

• Annual grants totalling approximately $4-7 million
• Supports 80-93+ programmes annually
• Funds non-profit organisations providing civil legal services to low-income clients or improving administration of justice
• Application deadline: Typically in March (for September-August grant cycle)

2. Special Grants Projects

• Funding for requests outside standard IOLTA eligibility requirements
• Supports innovative or experimental models for delivering civil legal services
• Available as finances permit
• Application via letter of inquiry process

3. Legal Intern Fellowship Programme (LIFP)

• Stipends of $8,000 to law students
• For summer internships at legal aid organisations
• Recent cohorts have included up to 15 awards
• Application deadline: Typically early March

4. Gants Judicial Scholarship

• Educational support in the judicial field

Priority Areas

The MBF funds programmes addressing:

• Housing instability and homelessness prevention
• Domestic violence survivor support
• Immigration assistance and humanitarian protection
• Education access including special education advocacy
• Health care access advocacy
• Economic insecurity and family stability
• Court-connected mediation and conciliation programmes
• "Lawyer of the Day" programmes for court assistance
• Child advocacy and family law

What They Don't Fund

• Individual applicants (organisations only)
• Fundraising activities related to political campaigns
• Endowment campaigns
• Scholarship campaigns
• Capital campaigns
• Organisations outside Massachusetts
• Criminal defence (focus is civil legal services)

Governance and Leadership

Officers

• G. Perry Wu, Esq. - President (Harvard College, Columbia Law School graduate; President's Circle Fellow of MBF; Life Fellow of American Bar Foundation)

Board of Trustees

The Board includes judges and attorneys from diverse practice areas. Trustees are elected from among the MBF Society of Fellows and serve four-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Staff

• Susannah Thomas - Executive Director
• Allison D. Ford - Development Director

Leadership Quote

MBF President G. Perry Wu has stated: "This historic level of funding reflects not only a milestone for the MBF but also a deepened investment in closing the civil justice gap in Massachusetts. These grants help protect people's ability to defend their rights and secure stability in times of crisis."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IOLTA Grants Programme:

1. Pre-submission requirement: New applicants MUST contact the MBF Grants Office at foundation@massbar.org to discuss proposals before submitting
2. Review the Grant Priorities Statement and Request for Proposals & Application Instructions (available on website)
3. Create login credentials for the online application portal
4. Submit application via the online portal by deadline
5. Applications typically become available in January each year

Special Grants:

1. Contact MBF Grants Office at foundation@massbar.org to discuss project eligibility
2. If eligible, submit one-page letter of inquiry summarising project
3. Executive Committee reviews at next scheduled meeting
4. If approved, full proposal requested

Decision Timeline

IOLTA Grants:

• Applications typically open: January
• Application deadline: Typically third week of March
• Grant Advisory Committee review: April-May
• Awards typically announced: June/July
• Grant cycle: September 1 - August 31

Review Process

Each application undergoes two rounds of review:

1. Regional Committee Review: Members meet with applicants for in-depth review
2. Subject Matter Committee Review: Paper review only

Over 80 attorneys and judges from the MBF's Society of Fellows volunteer to review applications, conduct site visits, and make funding recommendations.

Success Rates

• The MBF typically receives over 100 applications annually
• Recent funding cycles have supported 82-93 programmes
• Awards are often for less than the full amount requested

Reapplication Policy

Organisations may reapply annually. The grant cycle operates September 1 - August 31, with new applications accepted each year.

Application Success Factors

MBF-Specific Guidance

Mandatory Pre-Contact for New Applicants: The MBF explicitly requires new applicants to contact the Grants Office before submitting. This is not optional—use this opportunity to confirm your programme aligns with their priorities.

Focus Areas That Get Funded (Based on Recent Awards):

• Direct legal services addressing housing, domestic violence, immigration, education advocacy, healthcare advocacy
• Court-connected programmes: mediation, conciliation, lawyer for the day programmes
• Programmes serving low-income Massachusetts residents who cannot otherwise access legal help

Examples of Successfully Funded Organisations:

• Children's Law Center of Massachusetts - youth legal advocacy
• De Novo - civil legal assistance and psychological counselling
• DOVE Inc. - legal services for domestic violence survivors
• Health Law Advocates - overcoming healthcare access barriers
• Housing Families, Inc. - homelessness prevention through legal services
• Massachusetts Advocates for Children - educational opportunity advocacy
• Veterans Legal Services - civil legal needs of military veterans

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

1. Clear alignment with IOLTA mission: Either provide civil legal services to low-income clients OR improve administration of justice
2. Massachusetts focus: Must benefit Massachusetts residents
3. Demonstrated capacity: Show organisational ability to deliver legal services effectively
4. Impact documentation: Quantify how many clients you serve and outcomes achieved
5. Realistic budget: Since awards are often less than requested, demonstrate financial sustainability

Common Ineligible Requests:

• Political fundraising
• Capital campaigns
• Endowment building
• Scholarship programmes
• Out-of-state organisations
• Individual applicants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Contact MBF first if you're a new applicant - This is mandatory and helps ensure your application is appropriate before you invest time in the full proposal

2. Focus on civil legal services for low-income clients OR justice administration improvement - These are the only two eligible categories for IOLTA funding

3. Expect competitive process - Over 100 applications annually with many receiving less than requested; be realistic in your budget

4. Leverage the pre-submission consultation - Use this opportunity to understand what reviewers look for and refine your approach

5. Document your Massachusetts impact - Be specific about geographic reach within the Commonwealth and populations served

6. Apply annually - The grant cycle runs September-August, with applications typically due in March; organisations may reapply each year

7. Consider Special Grants for innovative models - If your programme doesn't fit standard IOLTA criteria but aligns with the MBF mission, explore the Special Grants pathway

References

• Massachusetts Bar Foundation Homepage
• IOLTA Grants Programme
• MBF Grants Overview
• Special Grants Projects
• MBF Board & Staff
• MBF About Page
• Grant Awards Announcements
• IOLTA Applications Information
• Legal Intern Fellowship Programme
• Society of Fellows Grant Review
• ProPublica Non-profit Explorer - MBF 990 Filings
• Massachusetts Bar Association - MBF Overview

Last verified May 2026