The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) is the charitable arm of the Chicago Bar Association, established in 1948. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the organization brings together the legal community to improve access to justice and strengthen the fairness and effectiveness of the legal system. The CBF operates as a public charity and employs approximately 15 people.
Key facts about The Chicago Bar Foundation
- EIN
- 36-6109584
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $9,526,902
- Grants made (2025)
- 52
- Average grant
- $183,210
- Median grant
- $21,250
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (11 of 52, 2025)
- Total assets
- $10,135,132
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Chicago Bar Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Chicago Bar Foundation's 52 itemized 2025 grants were Illinois (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (47 grants). 77% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (7 grants).
Is The Chicago Bar Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 52 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $228K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.1M
+191.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.5M
+30.1% YoY
Grant Count
52
+62.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$183K
-19.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Chicago Bar Foundation brings the legal community together through advocacy, funding, and innovation to improve access to justice for people in need and to make the legal system more fair, equitable, and effective.
Guiding Principle: The common cause as a legal community is to improve access to justice for people in need and to make the legal system fair, equitable, and effective for people of all backgrounds and incomes.
Strategic Approach: The CBF pursues a two-pronged strategy:
- Invest in proven solutions for today
- Spearhead innovative initiatives and legal reforms for the long term
Core Values:
- Effective and equitable access to justice for all
- The special responsibility of lawyers to uphold the value of effective and equitable justice for all
- The collective influence of the legal community as a powerful force
- Working together to serve the community and ensuring the inclusion of diverse perspectives
- A culture of innovation, adaptation, and continuous improvement
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): The CBF is committed to incorporating JEDI into all aspects of its work, viewing it as integral to reaching a vision of a justice system that is fair, equitable, and accessible for everyone in the community.
Grantmaking
Typical awards range from $2,500 to $2,209,850.
Grant Range
s:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The CBF primarily focuses on Illinois, with particular emphasis on the Chicago area. Grant-making also extends to Virginia and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 52 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $10,135,132
Annual Giving: $9,777,502
Annual Revenue: $5,044,839
Financial Oversight: The CBF Board of Directors is assisted by two committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee - Oversees annual budget and finances, annual audit, tax returns, and fiscal policies
- Investment Committee - Oversees and monitors the investment portfolio pursuant to a comprehensive Investment Policy, with strategic guidance from Northern Trust
Auditing: The CBF is audited annually by Sassetti. The organization maintains Silver level transparency recognition and publishes its audit and Form 990 tax return annually on its website.
Tax Status: The CBF is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,135,132 | $3,483,220 | $5,312,564 |
| Revenue | $15,447,025 | $11,084,533 | $9,898,837 |
| Expenses | $12,409,031 | $10,141,985 | $10,150,586 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $152,667 | $95,209 | $17,129 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
186 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Carpls ($2,209,850), Legal Aid Chicago ($1,459,066), Center for Conflict Resolution ($1,306,184).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CARPLS Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT, & PROJECT SUPPORT | $2,209,850 |
| LEGAL AID CHICAGO Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT, & PROJECT SUPPORT | $1,459,066 |
| CENTER FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT, & PROJECT SUPPORT | $1,306,184 |
| LAW CENTER FOR BETTER HOUSING Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT & GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT | $1,071,005 |
| CHICAGO VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT, & PROJECT SUPPORT | $769,909 |
| GREATER CHICAGO LEGAL CLINIC INC Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT, & PROJECT SUPPORT | $562,991 |
| CENTER FOR DISABILITY & ELDER LAW Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT, & PROJECT SUPPORT | $561,941 |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY - METRO FAMILY SERVICES Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT & GOVERNMENT/PROJECT GRANT | $424,318 |
| UPTOWN PEOPLES LAW CENTER Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT & PROJECT SUPPORT | $149,412 |
| THE RESURRECTION PROJECT Chicago, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $113,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Bob Glaves
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sang-Yul Lee | President | 3 | — |
| Thomas V Panoff | 1ST Vice President | 3 | — |
| Elizabeth P Lewis | 2ND Vice President | 3 | — |
| Nancy S Gerrie | Treasurer | 3 | — |
| Greta Weathersby | Secretary | 3 | — |
| Daniel Berkowitz | Director | 2 | — |
| Jason Bradford | Director | 2 | — |
| Hon Alison C Conlon | Director | 2 | — |
| Jennifer Crespo | Director | 2 | — |
| Vida Cruz | Director | 2 | — |
| Kareem Dale | Director | 2 | — |
| Megan Devaney | Director | 2 | — |
| Naderh Elrabadi | Director | 2 | — |
| Randall R Fearnow | Director | 2 | — |
| David Gordon | Director | 2 | — |
| Martin Gould | Director | 2 | — |
| Anne Geraghty Helms | Director | 2 | — |
| Robert T Howell III | Director | 2 | — |
| Hon Lashonda a Hunt | Director | 2 | — |
| Colby Anne Kingsbury | Director | 2 | — |
| Jennifer Kratochvil | Director | 2 | — |
| Elizabeth Lopez | Director | 2 | — |
| Marcie Lape | Director | 2 | — |
| Michael Lehrman | Director | 2 | — |
| Kathryn C Liss | Director | 2 | — |
| Francine Lynch | Director | 2 | — |
| Evan Meyers | Director | 2 | — |
| Jon Milonas | Director | 2 | — |
| Lisa Montez | Director | 2 | — |
| Ian H Morrison | Director | 2 | — |
| Hon Michael Slade | Director | 2 | — |
| Susan Valentine | Director | 2 | — |
| Sandra Yamate | Director | 2 | — |
| Robert Glaves | Executive Director | 60 | $155,462 |
| Melanie Macbride | Chief Grants & Operations Officer | 50 | $108,350 |
| Roya Samarghandi | Chief Advocacy & Innovation Ofc | 50 | $110,210 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The CBF launched a new pro bono project to help meet increased need for habeas relief amidst heightened immigration enforcement efforts
New Pro Bono Project Helps Meet Increased Need for Habeas Relief Amidst HeightenedThe CBF and Cook County awarded grants to fund community outreach efforts for the Cook County Limited Scope Legal Help Desk (CCLAHD) program
CBF and Cook County Award Grants to Fund Community Outreach Efforts for CCLAHDThe CBF has expanded community legal response initiatives for crises and emerging legal issues
CBF Launches Expanded Community Legal Response Initiatives for Crises andSpecial Project Grants continue to support innovative projects making courts more fair and accessible through user-friendly design and pro bono support
Making the Courts More Fair and Accessible Through CBF Special Project GrantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Chicago Bar Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Chicago Bar Foundation brings the legal community together through advocacy, funding, and innovation to improve access to justice for people in need and to make the legal system more fair, equitable, and effective. **Guiding Principle:** The common cause as a legal community is to improve access to justice for people in need and to make the legal system fair, equitable, and effective for people of all backgrounds and incomes. **Strategic Approach:** The CBF pursues a …
How do I apply for a grant from The Chicago Bar Foundation?
**Grant Programs:** **Special Project Grants** - The CBF makes special grants during the year to support innovative projects that make the legal system more fair, accessible, and efficient. These projects have broad impact on the courts and justice system and align with the CBF's overall priorities, including making courts more user-friendly and accessible to people without lawyers and supporting pro bono work. **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $2,500 to $2,209,850. **Recent Grantmakin…
Where does The Chicago Bar Foundation make grants?
The CBF primarily focuses on Illinois, with particular emphasis on the Chicago area. Grant-making also extends to Virginia and Colorado.
What size grants does The Chicago Bar Foundation award?
In 2025, The Chicago Bar Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $9.5M — an average of about $183K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Chicago Bar Foundation's EIN?
The Chicago Bar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6109584. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Chicago Bar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.