IOLTA Grants Program

The Massachusetts Bar Foundation's IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts) Grants Program is the cornerstone of the MBF's mission of promoting equitable access to the justice system. The program distributes IOLTA funds to civil legal aid organizations serving low-income Massachusetts residents.

History: The MBF has served as a steward of IOLTA funding since 1987.

Geographic Scope: Massachusetts only

Funding:

• 2025/2026 award: $6.7 million to 93 organizations (record-breaking amount)
• 2024/2025 award: $4.8 million to 82 organizations
• Expected 2026/2027 award: Approximately $6 million

Focus Areas:

• Housing
• Immigration
• Domestic violence
• Education advocacy
• Healthcare advocacy
• Court-connected mediation
• Conciliation
• Lawyer for the day programs
• Improving the administration of justice

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) organizations receive priority, though other nonprofit organizations with charitable programs may apply)
• Legal service and law-related agencies
• Various nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts
• Must be a Massachusetts organization
• No funding to individuals
• Must provide civil (not criminal) legal services to low-income clients or improve the administration of justice

What They Don't Fund:

• Fundraising activities related to political campaigns
• Endowment campaigns
• Scholarship campaigns
• Capital campaigns

Contact:

• Phone: (617) 338-0500
• Address: Massachusetts Bar Foundation, 20 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
• Email: foundation@massbar.org

Grant Review Process:

• Over 80 MBF Fellows volunteer annually to review applications
• Multi-step process involving regional and subject matter committees
• Site visits conducted by regional committee members
• Two rounds of review: regional and subject matter

Application Process

Portal: All applications must be submitted via the online application portal at massbarfoundation.org/grants

Important Notes:

• New applicants MUST contact the MBF Grants Office to discuss their proposal prior to submission
• Save log-on credentials upon creation (needed for future access to the portal and reporting)

Key Steps:

1. Review the MBF's Grant Funding Priorities Statement before applying
2. Review full eligibility guidelines
3. Access the application portal and click the blue "Apply" button
4. For new applicants: Follow instructions to create unique log-on credentials
5. Complete application submission

Previous Deadline (2025/2026): March 21, 2025

Application Components: (Based on eligibility requirements and general application practices, though specific form fields not detailed in provided text)