The Michigan State Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Lansing, Michigan, established in 1947 by lawyers and judges to help the legal profession meet its responsibilities to the public. The Foundation provides leadership and grants to improve access to the justice system, with a primary focus on civil legal aid to low-income individuals, law-related education, and conflict resolution.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$40.2M
+103.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.3M
-4.4% YoY
Grant Count
49
+28.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$251K
-25.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Michigan State Bar Foundation provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system, including support for civil legal aid to low-income individuals, law-related education, and conflict resolution.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Civil legal aid to low-income individuals
- Law-related education for children and adults
- Conflict resolution programs
- Administration of justice improvements
- Legal self-help services and centers
- Eviction diversion programs
- Assistance with federal disability benefits applications
Grantmaking
The Foundation has made grants totaling more than $210 million since inception. Civil legal aid programs receive the largest share of Foundation grants.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding focus in Michigan, with some activity in Virginia and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $40,164,129
- Total Revenues: $29,616,731
- Total Expenses: $13,778,507
- Total Giving: $12,489,673
Previous Year (2023):
- Revenue: $19.9M
- Expenses: $14M
- Total Assets: $19.7M
- Total Liabilities: $4.69M
Staffing: 5 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $40,164,129 | $19,720,425 | $11,655,602 |
| Revenue | $29,616,731 | $19,857,772 | $12,794,353 |
| Expenses | $13,778,507 | $14,032,060 | $13,406,074 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,107,709 | $438,663 | $375,517 |
| 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
227 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Michigan State Bar Foundation
Administration of Justice Grants
MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION
Amount
US $12,000 - US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Civil Legal Aid for Low-Income Households Project Grants
MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Civil Legal Services for Low-Income Households
MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lakeshore Legal Aidmetro ($3,000,395), Legal Aid of Western Michigan ($1,100,808), Michigan Advocacy Program (lsscm) ($1,033,235).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CENTER FOR CIVIL JUSTICE FLINT, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $106,313 |
| DETROIT METROPOLITAN BAR ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION DETROIT, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $7,749 |
| ENFUSE ACTION COLLECTIVE LLC PORTLAND, MI | IMPROVEMENTS IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE | $11,535 |
| HENRY FORD LEARNING INSTITUTE DEARBORN, MI | IMPROVEMENTS IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE | $19,950 |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AID WARREN, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $490,289 |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE WARREN, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $441,300 |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDEASTERN WARREN, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $22,000 |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDEASTERNCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE WARREN, MI | MSHDA - EDP - LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION | $194,410 |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDEASTERNCOUNSEL AND ADVOCACY LAW LINE WARREN, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $22,409 |
| LAKESHORE LEGAL AIDMETRO WARREN, MI | LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS | $78,204 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jennifer Bentley — Principal Officer
- Traci Kuiper — Chief Financial Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JONATHAN E OSGOOD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KAREN LEPPANEN MILLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEVEN G HOWELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL L PITT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| THOMAS W CRANMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HON WILLIAM B MURPHY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| W ANTHONY JENKINS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HON VICTORIA A ROBERTS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICHARD A SOBLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| THOMAS R BEHM | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT F RILEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICHARD K RAPPLEYE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| RONDA L TATE TRUVILLION | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JULIE I FERSHTMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| CRAIG H LUBBEN | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER S BENTLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASST SEC/TREAS | 50 | $175,423 |
| TRACI L THRANA-KUIPER | CFO | 45 | $42,500 |
| LAURA C MUSACHIO | ATJ CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR | 45 | $102,555 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**October 2025:** Foundation announced new board members and officer appointments
Press Release: Foundation Welcomes Distinguished Members of the Legal Community\**October 2025:** Foundation welcomed distinguished members of the legal community to the Fellows Program
Press Release: Foundation Welcomes Distinguished Members of the Legal Community\**December 2025:** Michigan State Bar Foundation awarded $102,500 in project grants to Autism Alliance of Michigan and Justice Speaks Legal Aid
Press Release: Foundation Awards Over $110,000 in Grants to Support Innovative\**Recent Initiative:** Legal Assistance Relief Fund expanded access to legal aid in unemployment benefits cases
Press Release: Legal Assistance Relief Fund will expand access to Legal\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Michigan State Bar Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Michigan State Bar Foundation provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system, including support for civil legal aid to low-income individuals, law-related education, and conflict resolution. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Civil legal aid to low-income individuals • Law-related education for children and adults • Conflict resolution programs • Administration of justice improvements • Legal self-help services and centers • Eviction diversion programs •…
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan State Bar Foundation?
The Foundation has made grants totaling more than $210 million since inception. Civil legal aid programs receive the largest share of Foundation grants. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $12,489,673 (2024) • Typical award range: $1,000–$5,065,263 • Active grant programs include: • Administration of Justice Grants Program • Civil Legal Aid for Low-Income Households Project Grants **Recent Grant Awards:** • $102,500 in project grants to Autism Alliance of Michigan and Justice Speaks Legal Aid (…
Where does Michigan State Bar Foundation make grants?
Primary funding focus in Michigan, with some activity in Virginia and North Carolina.
What size grants does Michigan State Bar Foundation award?
In 2024, Michigan State Bar Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $12.3M — an average of about $251K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Michigan State Bar Foundation's EIN?
Michigan State Bar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1459016. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michigan State Bar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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