The Massachusetts Bar Foundation (MBF) is the Commonwealth's premier legal charity and the philanthropic partner of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Founded in 1964, the organization represents the commitment of lawyers and judges in Massachusetts to improve the administration of justice and ensure equal access to the legal system for all residents.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.3M
+40.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.3M
+83.7% YoY
Grant Count
82
+20.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$77K
+52.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Massachusetts Bar Foundation represents the commitment of the lawyers and judges of Massachusetts to improve the administration of justice, to promote an understanding of the law, and to ensure equal access to the legal system for all residents of the Commonwealth.
The MBF's primary focus is addressing the justice gap in Massachusetts. Civil legal aid programs in the state must turn away over 40% of eligible cases due to lack of resources. The Foundation works to close this gap by funding legal aid programs that serve low-income individuals and families across the Commonwealth.
Grantmaking
The MBF distributes funds primarily through its IOLTA Grants Program. As one of three charitable entities in Massachusetts charged with distributing Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA) funds, the MBF receives 26 percent of total IOLTA interest and has been a steward of these funds since 1987.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The MBF funds legal aid programs statewide across Massachusetts, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires, serving all regions of the Commonwealth.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of 2024):
- Total Assets: $20.3 million
- Total Revenue: $10.7 million
- Investments: $11.6 million
Historical Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $14.5 million
- Total Giving: $3.7 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,312,820 | $14,454,668 | $9,089,779 |
| Revenue | $10,660,538 | $8,597,967 | $4,148,301 |
| Expenses | $7,306,050 | $4,328,115 | $3,188,298 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $478,402 | $99,014 | $111,191 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants Judicial Scholarship Program
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
IOLTA Grants Program
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Approximately $6 million - $6.7 million
Deadline
March 21, 2027
Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP)
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
$8,000 per stipend (up to 15 stipends awarded)
Deadline
March 7, 2027
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSANNAH THOMAS | Executive Director | 40 | — |
| G PERRY WU ESQ | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MELISSA LANGA ESQ | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| EDWARD F DOMBROSKI JR ESQ | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PAUL J KLEHM ESQ | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| HON MEGAN H CHRISTOPHER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY E WINTER ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HON MARGUERITE T GRANT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAMES F MARTIN ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MAGARET J HURLEY ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Michael J Leard Esq | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HON MARK D MASON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER P SULLIVAN ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FRANK J CIANO ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Patrick Francomano Esq | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Tara Dunn Jackson Esq | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Mary Jeanne Stone ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Akosua A Agyepong Esq | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Patrice C Dixon Esq | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| Hon Jonathan J Kane | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2026 Annual Meeting:** Scheduled for January 26, 2026, with trustee elections and recognition of honorees
Burnham Recognized, Trustees Elected at MBF Annual Meeting \u2014 Massachusetts\**2025 Grantee Receptions:** The MBF celebrated IOLTA Grant Recipients at receptions in October 2025
**2025 President's Award:** Harvey Weiner, Esq. was honored with the 2025 President's Award at the Eastern Massachusetts reception in September 2025
MBF Awards $6.7 Million in Grants to Legal Aid Programs Across Massachusetts\**60th Anniversary:** The Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024
Contact Information
Address: 20 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 338-0500
Email: foundation@massbar.org
Website: massbarfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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