Ingham County Bar Foundation seeks applicants

By Roberta M. Gubbins Legal News The Ingham County Bar Foundation is the grant-giving arm of the Ingham County Bar Association. A non-profit organization, it serves as the means for lawyers and other interested citizens to make charitable contributions for the benefit of organizations in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. "Past recipients of funds from the Foundation," said George Zulakis, President of the Foundation, " include EVE, Child Benefit Fund, Elder Law Clinic, Ingham County Food Bank, ICBA Bar Conference, Bar Association Law Days, the Ingham County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Martin Luther King Student Luncheon, South Central Michigan Legal Services, and Special Olympics to name a few." The Foundation's mission is to: * Promote access to justice * Expand the availability of legal services to the public at large * Support local charitable organizations * Promote continuing legal education and * Foster the honor and integrity of the profession of law The purposes of the Foundation include promotion of the study and research of law and the continuing legal education of lawyers, to insure that all receive legal services and to work with charitable organizations that provide meaningful benefit to the community. The foundation Board of Directors places a priority on programs and applicants whose programs meet one or more of the following criteria: * Demonstrate innovative approaches or new ideas * Benefit Ingham, Eaton and/or Clinton County residents * Demonstrate the potential for independent continuity and community support * Use challenge grants or other fund-matching arrangements to augment Foundation funds. The Foundation does not make grants to political campaigns, to support religious activities or if the applicant fails to show fiscal responsibility and integrity. "The Foundation was established in 2003." Zulakis said. "We donate a minimum of $5000.00 annually to various charities. We have met our goal each year. We are still a fledgling organization but we thought it was important that we begin giving donations as soon as possible which was 2004." The Foundation's primary fund raising event, in addition to member donations, is its Annual Golf Outing, which raised $7000 this year. Zulakis said that in spite of a lower turn out, it was " a very successful year." The Foundation has established a fellowship program. "Outstanding members of the legal community are nominated to become fellows of the Foundation," Zulakis explained. "If they agree to become a fellow and are recognized as such they agree to pledge $1000.00 over 10 years. This is a way of recognizing attorneys who have distinguished themselves and a sustaining type of fund raising." Those awarded fellowships will be recognized at the Ingham County Bar Association's Annual Award Dinner in November. Tentative plans include a reception prior to the dinner for the fellows. Organizations wishing to apply for a grant or needing more information, should contact Madelyn Lawry, at 517-627-3938 or by e-mail: lawry@icb-foundation.org Published: Mon, Sep 12, 2011

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