Indiana Bar Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6.8 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program; IOLTA grants reviewed annually after May 1 deadline
• Grant Range: Varies significantly - from $8,000 scholarships to over $1.2 million for major civil legal aid organizations
• Geographic Focus: Statewide (Indiana)
• Total Grants 2024: $4.7 million to 13 organizations
• IOLTA Distribution: $1.5 million annually
• Civil Legal Aid Fund: Nearly $3 million annually

Contact Details

Website: https://www.inbarfoundation.org/

Address: 615 N. Alabama Street, Suite 426, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: 317-269-2415

Email: info@inbarfoundation.org

Program-Specific Contacts:

• IOLTA Manager (Michael Tranovich): 317-269-7868
• Director of Development (Theresa M. Browning, CFRE): 317-269-7864
• Director of Civil Legal Assistance Programs: Abbie Bush

Application Portal: Grant Interface platform at grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ibf

Overview

The Indiana Bar Foundation, founded in 1950 and operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 35-6032377, has emerged as a statewide and national leader in expanding civic education and contributing to an accessible civil legal system for all Indiana residents. With a mission to "inspire and lead change to improve civic education and legal assistance for all Hoosiers," the Foundation distributed $6.8 million in grants in 2023 and $4.7 million to 13 organizations in 2024.

Since its inception, the Foundation has generated over $17 million through its IOLTA program alone to support civil legal aid and pro bono efforts in Indiana. The organization operates in partnership with the Indiana Supreme Court to distribute nearly $4.5 million annually through combined IOLTA grants ($1.5M) and the Civil Legal Aid Fund (nearly $3M). Under the leadership of President & CEO Charles Dunlap since 2001, the Foundation has expanded its reach to touch the lives of thousands of low-income Hoosiers through its network of grantee organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts) Grants

• Amount: $1.5 million distributed annually
• Deadline: Applications due May 1 each year
• Purpose: Support civil legal assistance organizations providing pro bono and access to justice programs
• Application Method: Online through Grant Interface platform

Civil Legal Aid Fund

• Amount: Nearly $3 million distributed annually
• Purpose: Support Indiana organizations providing civil legal services to low-income residents
• Distribution: Based on statutory formula in partnership with Indiana Supreme Court
• Application Method: Grant Interface platform

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

• Purpose: Offset student loan costs for law graduates working in civil legal aid programs
• Programs: Hon. Richard M. Givan Fund and Hon. J. Terrence and Peggy Cody Fund
• Application Period: Applications typically due in November (2025 deadline: November 7)

Law School Scholarships (Total distributed: $8,000 in 2024)

• Hon. Cale J. Holder Scholarship: Based on dedication to law administration, financial need, desire to be a practicing litigator, leadership capacity, academic achievement, and military service
• Rosalie F. Felton Scholarship: $1,500 for IU McKinney School of Law students (deadline: May 1)
• Neil E. Shook Scholarship: $1,500 for 2nd year McKinney students (deadline: May 1)
• Phelps & Fara Scholarship: For McKinney students with interest in family law
• Steckler-Dillin-Noland Scholarship Fund: $1,500 rotating scholarship for 2nd or 3rd year McKinney students

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on two main pillars:

Civil Legal Assistance

• Organizations providing free civil legal services to low-income Indiana residents
• Pro bono legal services and access to justice programs
• Housing stability and eviction prevention (Foundation channeled over $1.1 million in federal funds for this work in 2024)
• Family law matters (approximately 50% of Pro Bono Indiana's supported efforts)
• Wills, powers of attorney, and estate planning for low-income individuals
• Second chance efforts (driving privileges restoration, expungements)
• Reducing unrepresented litigants in courts
• Ensuring fairness and justice regardless of economic status

Civic Education

• We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution
• Indiana High School Mock Trial Program
• U.S. Senate Youth Program
• Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council
• Indiana Kids Election
• Sixth-grade civics resources for educators

What They Fund

Based on 2024 grant recipients, the Foundation supports:

• Legal aid societies and legal services organizations
• Pro bono coordination organizations
• Victim advocacy and human rights organizations
• Child advocacy programs
• Legal clinics serving specific communities or regions
• Programs providing direct legal services delivery
• Public education about the law
• Programs advancing justice in Indiana

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the Foundation's focus is clearly on:

• Organizations that serve low-income populations (not general legal services)
• Indiana-based organizations and programs
• Civil (not criminal) legal matters
• The Foundation does not appear to fund: general charitable causes unrelated to legal services or civic education, organizations outside Indiana, or for-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

Key Staff

Charles Dunlap, J.D. - President & CEO (since 2001)

• Responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the Foundation
• Administers IOLTA program, Civil Legal Aid Fund, housing stability programs, and civic education initiatives
• Immediate past president of the National Association of IOLTA Programs
• Treasurer of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance
• Member of Indiana University Center for Civic Literacy National Advisory Committee
• Former board member of the National Conference of Bar Foundations

Kayla O'Brien - Chief Administrative Officer

Abbie Bush - Director of Civil Legal Assistance Programs

Amelia Miller - Director of Civic Education Programs

Kim Berry - Director of Development

Michael Tranovich - IOLTA Manager

Board of Directors

Chair: Alexander Orlowski (Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Indianapolis)

Vice-Chair: Drew Howk (Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman, P.C., Indianapolis)

Secretary/Treasurer: Jacquelyn Pillar (Pillar Jones, LLC, Crown Point)

Notable Board Members:

• Hon. Steven David
• Hon. James Sweeney
• Hon. Elizabeth Tavitas

The board consists of 19 total members representing diverse legal, educational, and professional backgrounds across Indiana.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IOLTA Grants and Civil Legal Aid Fund

• Applications submitted through Grant Interface online portal: grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ibf
• IOLTA applications due annually on May 1
• Civil Legal Aid Fund distributed according to statutory formula

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

• Apply through the Grant Interface platform
• Applications typically open earlier in the year with November deadline

Law School Scholarships

• Applications open in early 2026 for most scholarships
• Some scholarships have May 1 deadlines
• Check Foundation website for specific application links and timing

Decision Timeline

IOLTA Grants: Applications reviewed after May 1 deadline; awards typically announced in the following months

Scholarships: Vary by program; some awarded annually with announcements in spring/summer

Civil Legal Aid Fund: Distributed annually based on statutory formula in partnership with Indiana Supreme Court

The Foundation awarded grants to 18 organizations in 2023 and 13 organizations in 2024, suggesting a focused pool of regular grantees rather than wide-open competition.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation appears to work with an established network of civil legal assistance organizations. In 2024, the Foundation distributed $4.7 million to 13 organizations, suggesting grants go to established providers of civil legal services rather than being awarded through broad competitive processes.

Reapplication Policy

For organizations: The Foundation appears to support its grantee organizations on an ongoing annual basis, with many organizations receiving funding year after year (e.g., Indiana Legal Services, Pro Bono Indiana, Legal Aid societies).

For individual scholarships: Students may apply for relevant scholarships for which they meet eligibility criteria each cycle.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission

The Foundation's mission focuses specifically on improving civic education and legal assistance for all Hoosiers, with particular emphasis on low-income populations. Organizations should demonstrate:

• Direct service to low-income Indiana residents
• Provision of civil (not criminal) legal assistance
• Pro bono service delivery or modest means programs
• Measurable impact on access to justice

Areas of Demonstrated Need

Based on grant recipients and Foundation priorities, successful applicants address:

• Family law matters (approximately 50% of some grantees' work)
• Housing stability and eviction prevention (significant federal funding channeled for this purpose)
• Second chance initiatives (driving privileges, expungements)
• Estate planning for low-income individuals (wills, powers of attorney)
• Victim advocacy and child protection

Geographic Coverage

The Foundation values statewide reach while recognizing regional needs. The 2024 grantee list includes organizations serving:

• Statewide (Indiana Legal Services, Pro Bono Indiana)
• Regional areas (Northeast Indiana, Tippecanoe County, Evansville, Whitewater Valley)
• Urban centers (Indianapolis)
• Specific communities (Metro Community Outreach in Gary)

Organizational Capacity

Successful grantees demonstrate:

• Established track record in civil legal services
• Professional staffing and infrastructure
• Ability to coordinate with pro bono attorneys
• Measurable service delivery outcomes
• Partnership potential with the legal community

What the Foundation Values

Based on President & CEO Chuck Dunlap's statements and the Foundation's priorities:

• "Making a real impact across Indiana" - demonstrable outcomes matter
• Supporting organizations that fulfill the promise of "justice for all regardless of economic status"
• Reducing the number of unrepresented litigants in courts
• Building partnerships with the Indiana legal community for pro bono participation
• Long-term relationships with grantees (many organizations funded year after year)

For Scholarship Applicants

The Foundation values:

• Financial need combined with merit
• Commitment to serving Indiana's legal needs
• Leadership capacity and dedication to law administration
• Interest in practicing litigation and providing access to justice
• Military service (for some scholarships)
• Specific practice area interests (e.g., family law)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Established Network: The Foundation works with an established network of civil legal service providers. New applicants should build relationships before applying and demonstrate capacity similar to current grantees.

• Focus on Low-Income Populations: All civil legal assistance funding targets services for low-income Hoosiers who cannot afford private attorneys. Applications must clearly demonstrate how they serve this population.

• Partnership with Indiana Supreme Court: The Foundation administers significant funding in partnership with the state's highest court, suggesting high standards for accountability and professionalism.

• May 1 Deadline Critical: IOLTA grant applications due May 1 annually - this is the primary funding opportunity for civil legal assistance organizations.

• Statutory Formula for Some Funds: The Civil Legal Aid Fund is distributed by statutory formula rather than competitive application, suggesting established organizations may be designated recipients.

• Long-Term Relationships: Organizations like Indiana Legal Services, Pro Bono Indiana, and various legal aid societies receive funding year after year, indicating the Foundation values sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

• Significant Grant Amounts: Individual organizational grants can exceed $1 million (Indiana Legal Services received over $1.2M in IOLTA funding in 2024), indicating the Foundation makes substantial investments in organizations that align with its mission.

2024 Grant Recipients

The Indiana Bar Foundation awarded more than $4.7 million to 13 organizations in 2024:

1. Ability Allies
2. Center for Victim and Human Rights
3. Child Advocates
4. Indiana Legal Services (received over $1.2M in IOLTA funding)
5. Indianapolis Legal Aid Society
6. Kids' Voice of Indiana
7. Legal Aid Corp. of Tippecanoe Co.
8. Legal Aid Society of Evansville
9. Metro Community Outreach (Gary)
10. Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
11. Pro Bono Indiana
12. Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana
13. Whitewater Valley Pro Bono

References

1. Indiana Bar Foundation Official Website - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/ - Accessed February 2026
2. Indiana Bar Foundation Civil Legal Assistance Programs - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/civil-legal-assistance/ - Accessed February 2026
3. Indiana Bar Foundation IOLTA Program - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/iolta/ - Accessed February 2026
4. Indiana Bar Foundation Board & Staff - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/board-and-staff/ - Accessed February 2026
5. "Indiana Bar Foundation Invests $4.7M in Legal Aid and Education to Empower Hoosiers" - Indiana Bar Foundation Press Release, 2024 - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/indiana-bar-foundation-invests-4-7m-in-legal-aid-and-education-to-empower-hoosiers/
6. "Indiana Bar Foundation announces grants" - Northwest Indiana Business Magazine - https://nwindianabusiness.com/industries/business-law/indiana-bar-foundation-announces-grants/75120/
7. Indiana Bar Foundation Grant Recipient Highlights - Pro Bono Indiana - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/grant-recipient-highlight-pro-bono-indiana/ - Accessed February 2026
8. Indiana Bar Foundation Grant Recipient Highlights - Indiana Legal Services - https://www.inbarfoundation.org/grant-recipient-highlight-indiana-legal-services/ - Accessed February 2026
9. Cause IQ - Indiana Bar Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/indiana-bar-foundation,356032377/ - Accessed February 2026
10. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Indiana Bar Foundation - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/356032377 - Accessed February 2026
11. Indiana State Board of Accounts Audit Report - Indiana Bar Foundation FY 2023 - https://www.in.gov/sboa/WebReports/30110A.pdf - Accessed February 2026