The New Jersey State Bar Foundation has expanded its support for nonprofits in the state to include grant funding for law students and new lawyers to work in a public interest setting. In addition to the existing NJSBF Cosponsorship Program, which helps underwrite law-related education programs at nonprofit organizations, grant funding is available for Nonprofit Summer Associates and Nonprofit Law Fellows.
All three grant-based programs for New Jersey nonprofits are made possible through funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey.
In 2023, the Foundation awarded more than $900,000 in financial support to 35 nonprofit organizations to cosponsor programs as part of its goal to broaden public education so that free legal information is available to New Jersey residents. Examples of projects cosponsored include publications, videos, seminars on law-related programs for the public, senior citizens, immigrants, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and more. Applications for the 2024-2025 grant funding cycle are being accepted through Jan. 26, 2024. An informational webinar about the program will occur on Jan. 10, 2024.
“The Foundation’s cosponsorship program, which was established in 1990, has enabled us to build a network of organizations who help to educate about the law”, said Charles J. Stoia, president of NJSBF. “With our new grant programs, I am thrilled that the Foundation is able to provide the newest members of the legal community with opportunities to serve nonprofits, support public interest projects, and help further education efforts.”
The Foundation is providing grant funding for up to 10 summer associates to work for a host nonprofit organization during the summer of 2024. This program provides an opportunity for law students to serve the public in the nonprofit community and develop advocacy and other legal skills. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 8.
Grant funding is also available for up to three law fellows. Each fellow will work at the host organization on a project that will allow the attorney to practice in the area of public interest. Applicants and host organization will work together to submit a joint application for funding. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 29.
Katrina Homel, chair of the Foundation’s Task Force on Fellowship Development and Foundation secretary, shared, “These new grant programs will help create unique learning and service opportunities for law students and new attorneys. We are looking forward to welcoming the inaugural group of summer associates and law fellows in 2024 and seeing how they will make a difference for the nonprofits and the communities they serve.”
An informational webinar about the new summer associate and fellowship programs will be held Nov. 28.
Please visit njsbf.org for more information about the grant programs, including guidelines and deadlines, and to access the online applications. A list of grant recipients will be announced in 2024.