Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Grants Program

The Massachusetts Bar Foundation awards IOLTA grants only to Massachusetts organizations—no funding is available for individuals. Priority is given to 501(c)(3) organizations, although other nonprofit organizations with charitable programs that fit the Foundation’s guidelines may also receive funding. Typically, grants are awarded to legal service and law-related agencies, as well as to various nonprofit organizations across the state. In rare cases, public agencies, established by governmental entities under statutory authorization, may receive funding for pilot programs that will ultimately receive public funding. No other type of entity is eligible for funding.

Please be advised that under Supreme Judicial Court rule, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation cannot support any social service components of an applicant’s proposed program. In addition, please note that the Foundation’s Trustees are sensitive to the unlicensed practice of law or the appearance thereof. Funding requests for non-attorney positions must include detailed information regarding direct attorney supervision of that position.

The Massachusetts Bar Foundation does not provide IOLTA grants for activities relating to criminal law. In addition, Foundation funds may not be used for fundraising activities related to political, endowment, scholarship, and capital campaigns.

Types of Programs Deemed Non-Competitive for IOLTA funding by the MBF Board:
- Alternative sentencing programs
- Court-ordered supervised visitation centers
- Court sponsored programs (The MBF does not typically provide funding directly to a government agency or entity)
- Free standing conferences
- Free standing research and/or studies
- Juvenile or criminal diversion programs
- Legal services to businesses and other economic development organizations/initiatives
- Mediation programs that focus on disputes that have not yet reached the court system or are not likely to reach the court system
- Mock trial and law-related education programs, particularly for high school students
- Programs run by student organizations (secondary, undergraduate or graduate level)
- Programs that provide legal education to attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals serving low-income clients if the program’s purpose is solely to provide the education rather than use this education to leverage pro bono resources
- Social service advocacy programs for court-involved individuals
- Stipend programs for law student internships or clinics
- Translation services

Substantially Less Competitive (Civil Legal Services):
- Programs that provide legal information and advice by non-attorney/non-legal professional advocates-in spite of the fact that some may be supervised by attorneys and/or have referral agreements with legal services agencies.
- Programs that seek funding to add an attorney position within a non-legal organization/program staff, especially those within close geographic proximity to an existing legal services agency (i.e., attorney operating in isolation and duplication of services).

Timeline:
Applications Due: March 19, 2021, 5:00 pm
Decision Notification: July 2021
First Half of Funds Distributed: Oct. 2021
Mid-year Report: Due Feb. 18, 2022
Second Half of Funds Distributed: March 2022
Final Report Due: Sept. 23, 2022

New applicants are encouraged to contact the MBF to discuss their proposal prior to submission.