Georgia Bar Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,792,055
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $8,910 - $1,762,596
• Geographic Focus: Georgia statewide

Contact Details

Website: Information available through State Bar of Georgia at www.gabar.org
Phone: 404-527-8700 | 800-334-6865
Email: rachel@gabarfoundation.org
Address: 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303

Executive Director: Rachel Barnhard (404-588-2239, rachel@gabarfoundation.org)

Overview

The Georgia Bar Foundation (GBF) was established in 1967 as a supporting organization of the State Bar of Georgia and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In 1983, it was formally designated by the Supreme Court of Georgia as the charitable arm of the Court, specifically to receive and manage Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) funds. With assets of $9.3 million and annual giving of approximately $2.8 million, the foundation has been instrumental in ensuring Georgians have access to legal resources, particularly those who cannot afford legal representation. Since 2015, GBF has awarded 129 individual grants totaling over $31 million, demonstrating sustained commitment to advancing access to justice across Georgia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Annual competitive grant cycle: Applications typically due in early June
• Grant range: $8,910 - $1,762,596
• Approximately 20 awards annually (expanded to 57 in 2025-26)
• Single annual application process with fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

• Legal services for underserved populations
• Children in the justice system
• Administration of justice improvements
• Legal professionalism programs
• Legal education for Georgia's children
• Civic education advancing understanding of democracy

What They Don't Fund

Programs outside Georgia or unrelated to legal services and justice system improvements

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees consisting of up to 20 members:

• 17 trustees appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia
• 3 ex-officio members from State Bar of Georgia officers

Leadership Team:

• Rachel Barnhard, Executive Director
• Lisa Smith, Operations Director/IOLTA Coordinator
• Carrie Raynor, Finance Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Monitor State Bar of Georgia website (www.gabar.org) for application announcements
2. Contact Rachel Barnhard at rachel@gabarfoundation.org with questions
3. Complete application through GBF's portal
4. Submit by June deadline (historically June 6-7)
5. Applications open in early spring for following fiscal year

Decision Timeline

Grant decisions made following June deadline, with awards announced for fiscal year beginning July 1. Specific notification timelines not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed, but historical data shows:

• 20 awards made annually (2020-2023)
• 57 organizations supported in 2025-26
• Since 2015: 129 grants totaling $31,381,855

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available. Contact Rachel Barnhard directly for reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

• Mission Alignment: Board makes decisions based on "strict alignment with the foundation's goals of advancing access to justice and legal education"
• Focus on Legal Services for the Poor: Core priority remains serving low-income Georgians lacking legal representation
• Examples of Funded Work: Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation ($100,000), Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Georgia Legal Services Program
• Eligible Organizations: 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government organizations, charitable/educational organizations exempt from income tax
• Geographic Requirement: Must serve Georgia communities
• IOLTA Connection: Understanding foundation's primary funding source demonstrates knowledge of mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is the charitable arm of the Supreme Court of Georgia, not a typical private foundation
• Primary funding comes from Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program
• Competitive process with typically 20 awards annually (expanded recently)
• Applications open early spring for following fiscal year - plan ahead
• Wide grant range supports both small and large projects - justify budget based on scope
• Foundation values proven track record and longstanding relationships
• Seek "strict alignment" with six core purposes rather than proposing new directions

References

• State Bar of Georgia - IOLTA/Georgia Bar Foundation page: https://www.gabar.org/bar-communities/law-related-organizations/iolta---georgia-bar-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl - Georgia Bar Foundation 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/georgia-bar-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Georgia Bar Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/580552594 (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=GEOR357 (Accessed January 2026)
• Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation: https://avlf.org/ga-bar-grant/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Atlanta Legal Aid: https://atlantalegalaid.org/about-us/foundation-and-government-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)