Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $26,149,625 (2025)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Applications reviewed annually; decisions typically made by end of year
Grant Range: $25,000 minimum - $5,450,000 (based on 2025 awards)
Geographic Focus: Illinois statewide
Total Grantees: 55 organizations (2025)

Contact Details

Address: 1 E Wacker Dr., Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 938-2906
Fax: (312) 938-3091
Website: www.ltf.org

Key Contacts:

Mark Marquardt, Executive Director: (312) 938-2133, mark@ltf.org
David Holtermann, Deputy Executive Director for Grants & Legal Affairs: (312) 938-3076, david@ltf.org
Terri L. Smith-Ashford, Deputy Executive Director for Finance & Operations: (312) 938-3001, tlsmith@ltf.org

Overview

Established in 1983 by the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations, the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois (LTF) is the largest funder of nonprofit legal aid programs based in Illinois. The Illinois Supreme Court designated LTF to administer the state's Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program and distribute grants supporting civil legal aid throughout the state. With total assets generating over $26 million in annual giving, LTF has distributed more than $120 million in grants since its founding. The organization supports 55 legal aid organizations across Illinois that collectively closed more than 128,000 legal cases in 2024 on behalf of low-income residents. LTF's mission centers on ensuring access to civil legal services for Illinois residents living below 150% of the federal poverty line, focusing on critical needs including health, personal safety, family stability, housing, and economic security. The organization holds a Four-Star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Program: Calendar year basis (January 1 - December 31)

Grant Range: $25,000 minimum (policy established in 2023) to over $5 million for largest providers
Application Method: Fixed annual cycle; applications typically open in July for the following calendar year
Application Deadline: Typically August (specific date varies by year)
Total 2025 Distribution: $26,149,625 to 55 organizations

Examples of 2025 Grant Awards:

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (Southern/Central Illinois): $5,200,000
Prairie State Legal Services (Northern Illinois): $5,450,000
Legal Aid Chicago (Chicago/Cook County): $2,000,000
Illinois Legal Aid Online: $1,195,000
CARPLS Legal Aid (Cook County hotline): $1,390,000
National Immigrant Justice Center: $1,365,000
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services: $1,037,000

Priority Areas

LTF prioritizes funding that supports:

Service Delivery Goals:

Legal aid services available throughout Illinois (all geographic regions)
Balanced delivery mechanisms including advice and referral hotlines, brief service projects, and full representation by staff and pro bono attorneys
Services addressing the most critical needs that would not otherwise be met

Substantive Focus Areas:

Housing and eviction defense
Domestic violence and family safety
Child custody and family law matters
Foreclosure prevention
Elder abuse protection
Access to healthcare and public benefits
Immigration legal services
Economic security issues
Criminal records relief (sealing and expunging)
Disability rights and discrimination

Target Population:

Illinois residents with incomes below 150% of federal poverty guidelines
Individuals who cannot afford private legal counsel
Services must be provided without charge to clients

What They Don't Fund

Organizations not based in Illinois
Services that charge clients any fees (for LTF-funded services)
Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Programs that do not provide direct legal assistance to individual clients in civil matters
Annual grants below $25,000 (minimum threshold)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

LTF is governed by a nine-member board with balanced representation from Illinois legal institutions. The Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Illinois Supreme Court each appoint three directors. A Justice of the Supreme Court serves as Court Liaison.

Current Officers:

President: Hon. Maryam Ahmad (Chicago)
Vice President: Joseph J. Torres (Chicago)
Treasurer: Jennifer L. Kincaid (Silvis)

Directors:

Hon. Barbara Crowder (Ret.), Edwardsville
Kristine Honiotes, Joliet
Kaylan V. Huber, Danville
Ray J. Koenig III, Chicago
David J. Robinson, Springfield
Larry R. Rogers, Jr., Chicago

Supreme Court Liaison: Justice Mary Kay O'Brien (Third Judicial District)

Board meetings occur regularly throughout the year, with officer elections held annually at the June meeting.

Executive Leadership

Mark Marquardt, Executive Director (since 2015), previously served as Deputy Director. Marquardt has stated: "For the 1.8 million Illinoisans living in poverty, legal aid is the only realistic option when confronted with a serious legal problem." He also emphasized that "Thanks to the foresight of the Supreme Court of Illinois, LTF is better positioned to support the legal aid system as it exists today, and to invest in new technologies and service strategies to help even more people in the future."

Other Key Staff:

David Holtermann, Deputy Executive Director for Grants & Legal Affairs
Terri L. Smith-Ashford, Deputy Executive Director for Finance & Operations
Hanna Kaufman, Director of Justice Innovation Initiatives
Kenya Garrett-Burnett, Director of Community Justice Initiatives
Lisa Colpoys, Senior Consultant, AI Initiative
Shelley Davis, Senior Consultant, Program on Organizational Health & Sustainability

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through LTF's annual grant cycle on a calendar year basis (January 1 - December 31).

Application Timeline:

July: Application window opens for the following calendar year
August: Application deadline (typically early-to-mid August)
Fall-Winter: Review period
Late Fall/Early Winter: Funding decisions announced
January 1: Grant period begins

Application Requirements:

Review detailed CY Grant Guidelines (published in July)
Complete online application with required documentation
Organizations must have at least one paid, full-time equivalent staff attorney licensed for minimum 3 years (waivers may be considered)
Submit organizational information, program descriptions, budgets, and impact data

Contact for Application Questions: David Holtermann, Deputy Executive Director for Grants & Legal Affairs, at (312) 938-3076 or david@ltf.org

Decision Timeline

While specific timelines are not publicly disclosed, the annual cycle suggests:

Applications submitted in August
Review period: Fall (approximately 3-4 months)
Decisions announced: Late Fall/Early Winter
Grant period begins: January 1

Organizations are notified directly of funding decisions.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, LTF currently supports 55 organizations statewide, and the competitive nature of the process suggests applicants should demonstrate strong alignment with LTF's priorities and a track record of effective service delivery.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. However, the annual grant cycle structure suggests that organizations can reapply in subsequent years. Current grantees must reapply annually for continued funding; LTF does not provide automatic multi-year grants.

Application Success Factors

Based on LTF's documented priorities and approach:

Organizational Capacity:

Employment of at least one full-time attorney with 3+ years of experience (required)
Demonstrated organizational effectiveness and sustainability
Strong financial management and accountability
LTF values organizations that are "intentional and meticulous about examining and analyzing and improving everything" they do (as noted by Executive Director Mark Marquardt regarding successful grantees)

Geographic Coverage:

LTF prioritizes supporting legal aid services throughout Illinois, particularly in underserved regions
Organizations serving areas with limited existing legal aid access may have strategic advantage
Multi-county or regional service models valued

Service Delivery Innovation:

LTF supports diverse delivery mechanisms including hotlines, brief services, and full representation
Organizations demonstrating innovative approaches to reaching more clients
Engagement with technology and efficiency improvements
Participation in LTF's strategic initiatives (AI Initiative, Illinois Racial Justice Alliance, etc.)

Critical Needs Focus:

Strong alignment with priority areas: health, personal safety, family stability, housing, economic security
Services addressing gaps not covered by other providers
Clear demonstration of impact on clients' lives

Data and Impact Measurement:

Ability to track and report case outcomes and client demographics
Documentation of community need for services
Clear metrics demonstrating effectiveness and efficiency

Collaboration and Systems Thinking:

Engagement with broader legal aid community
Coordination with other service providers to avoid duplication
Pro bono attorney recruitment and management
Participation in statewide initiatives and networks

Financial Need and Sustainability:

Clear demonstration of need for LTF funding
Diversified funding sources (not over-reliant on single funder)
Sound financial management practices
Realistic budgets tied to programmatic goals

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Minimum grant threshold: LTF will not award grants below $25,000 annually; ensure your request meets this minimum and aligns with organizational capacity to manage and report on funding effectively.
Geographic strategy matters: LTF explicitly seeks to support legal aid "throughout the state" - organizations serving underserved regions or demonstrating statewide reach may have advantages.
Delivery mechanism diversity valued: LTF prioritizes "a variety of methods to deliver services" including hotlines, brief services, and full representation; demonstrate how your approach fills gaps in the service delivery ecosystem.
Critical needs over general services: Focus applications on LTF's explicitly stated priorities: health, personal safety, family stability, housing, and economic security. Generic legal aid services receive less priority than those addressing "critical needs that would not otherwise be addressed."
Innovation and continuous improvement are cultural values: Executive Director Mark Marquardt has praised organizations that are "intentional and meticulous about examining and analyzing and improving everything" - demonstrate your organization's commitment to evaluation, learning, and innovation.
Engage with LTF's strategic initiatives: Organizations participating in LTF's AI Initiative, Illinois Racial Justice Alliance, or other special programs demonstrate alignment with LTF's forward-thinking approach; consider how your organization can engage with these initiatives.
Annual competition is real: Even current grantees must reapply each year, making every application competitive; do not assume continuation funding is automatic, and ensure each application demonstrates impact, alignment, and sustainability.

References

All sources accessed December 2024.