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Post-Graduate Legal Fellowship Program

Illinois Bar Foundation

Foundation Annual Grants for NonprofitsEducational Equity GrantsProfessional Development Grants

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Post-Graduate Legal Fellowship Program

Overview: Supports professional development of young attorneys while increasing access to justice for low-income Illinois residents. Partnership between Illinois Bar Foundation and participating law schools.

Program Structure:

  • Illinois Bar Foundation and participating law schools share cost of each fellowship

  • Provides salary and benefits for a recent law school graduate

  • Fellow works as a staff attorney at their alma mater's legal aid clinic

    • Program Purposes:

  • Increase access to civil legal aid for low-income Illinois residents by providing effective legal services by qualified lawyers

  • Help new attorneys develop practical legal skills and hone interpersonal, professional and business skills

  • Enhance employment prospects at conclusion of fellowship

  • Instill in young attorneys a spirit of public interest law

  • Enable continued service to low-income clients throughout their careers

    • Participating Law Schools (Historical):

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law

  • UIC John Marshall Law School

  • DePaul University College of Law

  • Northern Illinois University College of Law

  • University of Illinois College of Law

    • Current Status:

  • PAUSED as of 2022

  • Foundation evaluating program and considering changes needed to adapt to post-COVID-19 legal landscape

  • Program suspended to assess evolving needs of law schools

    • Contact Information:

  • Illinois Bar Foundation

  • 20 South Clark, Suite 810

  • Chicago, IL 60603

  • Phone: 312.726.6072

  • Email: IBFInfo@illinoisbarfoundation.org

    • What Illinois Bar Foundation actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    14
    Total given
    $150K
    Median grant
    $8,750
    Range
    $7,500–$18K
    • By dollars: Illinois 95%, Missouri 5%. Top recipient cities: Chicago, IL; East St Louis, IL; Rockford, IL.
    • 7% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 29% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation · East St Louis, IL

      To support their Rural Service Territory project To support their holistic legal…

      $18K

    • Prairie State Legal Services · Rockford, IL

      To support their Volunteer Lawyer program in Rockford, IL

      $18K

    • Public Interest Law Initiative · Chicago, IL

      To support their Pro Bono Initiative program

      $18K

    • Illinois Legal Aid Online · Chicago, IL

      To support their Statewide Legal Service Website project

      $15K

    • Ascend Justice · Chicago, IL

      To support their Pro Bono project

      $10K

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitseducation-equityprofessional-development

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