Through its Annual Grants Program, the California Bar Foundation supports innovative and worthy efforts to build a better justice system by funding projects in furtherance of its mission to improve access to the justice system, educate the public about legal rights and responsibilities, foster confidence in the rule of law, and promote philanthropy as a core value of the state's lawyers.

The Grants Program is open to nonprofit organizations serving the public of California, local, minority, and specialty bar associations, the State Bar of California and its entities, and California courts. Funding is project-based.

Grant Recipients

• 2007-2008 Annual Grant Recipients
• 2006-2007 Annual Grant Recipients
• 2005-2006 Annual Grant Recipients
• 2004-2005 Annual Grant Recipients

2008-2009 Grant Cycle

Grant Applications should be submitted for projects taking place in 2009. The Foundation typically awards one-year grants on a "one-time only" basis but will consider funding a project where expenditures are spent over up to a two-year period. The application timeline for grants to be used in 2009 is as follows:

• Application Period Opens: May 19, 2008
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2008 @ 4:30 p.m. (October 22, 2008, for State Bar Applicants)
• Winners Notified: December 2008
• Funding Period: January 1-December 31, 2009

Grant recipients will receive an award letter setting forth grant payment arrangements, and will also receive a Grants Condition Form setting forth the terms and conditions of the grant.

Application Deadline

The Application Deadline for the 2007-2008 grant cycle has passed. Applicants will be notified about the results of the grant review process in mid-December.

The Application Deadline for the 2008-2009 grant cycle is October 1, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. (The deadline for State Bar Applicants is 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 2008.)

Applications may be submitted by fax, mail, or delivery service to:

California Bar Foundation
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
Fax: 415-856-0788
Attention: Program Director

Applications postmarked by the Application Deadline but not received in full by the Application Deadline may not be accepted.

Application Information

• 2008-2009 Criteria, Instructions, and Conditions

• 2008-2009 Complete Application Packet (PDF) This packet includes the Application Criteria, Instructions and Conditions; Cover Sheet; Questionnaire; Signature Page; and State Bar Affiliation Supplemental Signature Page.

• 2008-2009 Cover Sheet and Questionnaire (Word) You may use this Word version of the application so that you do not have to retype the questions in the Questionnaire. The Cover Sheet must be kept intact — that is, as one page when completed, as clearly set forth in the instructions on that page.

Questions?

For additional information, please contact Joilene Grove, Program Director, at (415) 856-0780 ext. 302 or jgrove@calbarfoundation.org.