Louisiana Bar Foundation
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $21.8 million (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Varies by program
- Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (varies by program)
- Geographic Focus: Louisiana (all 64 parishes)
Contact Details
- Website: www.raisingthebar.org
- Phone: Not publicly listed
- Email: Not publicly listed
- Address: 1615 Poydras St Ste 1000, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Grant Portal: https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/lbfgrants
Overview
Founded in 1971, the Louisiana Bar Foundation is a major civil legal aid funder with total assets of $40 million and annual revenues exceeding $31.6 million (2024). The foundation's mission is to preserve, honor, and improve the system of justice by funding, developing or promoting efforts which enhance the legal profession. They provide funding to over 70 non-profit organizations throughout Louisiana's 64 parishes, focusing on civil legal services for vulnerable populations. The foundation operates primarily through Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) funds and private contributions.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Building Capital Development: Up to $50,000 on a 50/50 matching basis
- Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP): Up to $5,000 per year, disbursed quarterly
- Access to Justice Fund: Amount varies
- Children's Legal Services: Amount varies
- Domestic Violence Programs: Amount varies
- Jock Scott Community Partnership Panels: Amount varies
- Kids' Chance Scholarships: Amount varies
- Law-Related Education Program: Amount varies
- Legal Service Corporations: Amount varies
- My Community Cares: Amount varies
- Pro Bono Projects: Amount varies
- Special Programs and Projects: Amount varies
Priority Areas
- Civil legal aid services
- Domestic violence prevention and support
- Housing matters
- Family law services
- Children in need of care
- Consumer health and protection
- Disaster relief legal services
- Veterans and military family support
- Immigration legal services
- Services for elderly and disabled populations
What They Don't Fund
Not explicitly stated on available materials
Governance and Leadership
Executive Leadership:
- Donna C. Cuneo - Executive Director
- Laura C. Sewell - Associate Executive Director
- Andrew Kerr - Chief Development Officer
The foundation emphasizes supporting "a trusted network of more than 70 organizations that lead community-driven efforts to help those facing non-criminal, civil legal challenges."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the Grantee Portal at https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/lbfgrants. The portal is used for submitting applications, award documents, and quarterly reports.
Decision Timeline
- Most grant applications open in October 2025
- Most applications close in December 2025
- LRAP and Kids' Chance applications open December 2025, close February 27, 2026
- Decision notification timeframes not publicly specified
Success Rates
Not publicly available
Reapplication Policy
Not specified in available materials
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities:
- Strong alignment with civil legal aid mission
- Focus on serving vulnerable populations including women, children, elderly, disabled individuals, unemployed, disaster victims, veterans, and immigrants
- Clear demonstration of community impact across Louisiana parishes
- For Building Capital Development grants, ability to provide 50/50 matching funds
- Connection to legal services or law-related education
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The foundation funds a broad range of civil legal aid services with over 70 current grantee organizations
- Multiple grant programs available with varying focus areas and amounts
- Strong emphasis on serving vulnerable populations throughout all 64 Louisiana parishes
- Applications primarily submitted through online portal with specific windows in late 2025
- Building Capital Development grants require matching funds
- LRAP provides quarterly disbursements for qualifying legal professionals
- Foundation has substantial assets ($40 million) and distributes approximately $21.8 million annually
References
- Louisiana Bar Foundation website (www.raisingthebar.org) - Accessed December 2024
- Louisiana Bar Foundation Grants Page (https://raisingthebar.org/grants/) - Accessed December 2024
- GuideStar Profile for Louisiana Bar Foundation (EIN: 23-7100704) - Accessed December 2024
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Louisiana Bar Foundation Financial Data (2024) - Accessed December 2024