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Montana Justice Foundation Funds Grants at Record Levels
by Jordan Lyons, MJF Americorp*
VISTA Member
At its April board meeting, the Montana Justice Foundation (MJF)
awarded $754,023 in grants to legal aid providers from around the
state, more money than MJF has awarded in any previous year.
Despite the record funding level, the grant process was as
competitive as ever. Fourteen organizations submitted grant
proposals; another new record for the MJF, which has served as the
charitable arm of the legal community since 1979.
Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) received the largest
grant, totaling $593,000, ($300,000 of which represents MJF’s
rolling commitment to MLSA operating costs).
“With the stagnant funding from the Legal Services Corporation and
the sunsetting of several other funding sources,” said MLSA Deputy
Director Alison Paul, “MJF plays a critical role in continuing
MLSA's ability to deliver services across the state.”
MJF also awarded grants to the following service providers:
$7,000 - CASA of Missoula, Inc.
$15,000 - Cascade County Law Clinic, plus a $5,000 match option
$6,000 - Center for Restorative Youth Justice, Kallispell
$5,000 - Community Dispute Resolution Center of Missoula County
$15,000 - Community Mediation Center, Bozeman
$3,323 - Domestic Violence Education and Services (DOVES), Polson
$13,700 - Eastern Montana CASA/GAL, Miles City
$8,000 - Network Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse, Bozeman
$8,000 - The Nurturing Center, Kallispell
$75,000 - Montana Supreme Court to fund the Pro Bono Coordinator
A number of factors led to record
fund-raising levels and grant awards in Fiscal Year 2008. Most
significantly, Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) rates were
high throughout much of last year, bolstered by outreach to banks on
the part of local attorneys, MJF’s board of directors and executive
director, Amy Sings In The Timber.
“Our bank outreach efforts have resulted in true partnerships
between the MJF and Leadership Banks,” said Ms. Sings In The Timber,
referring to banks that have kept interest rates on IOLTA accounts
as high as possible, and waived service fees. “These partnerships
make a real difference for our grantee organizations and the access
to justice cause in Montana.”
Donations from law firms and individual attorneys have also
increased. Private donations were made through MJF’s website and in
response to direct mail appeals and board member asks.
While it has been a banner year for the Justice Foundation, federal
interest rate cuts have the potential to significantly reduce IOLTA
revenue in FY09. Preparing for the downturn, MJF board members are
redoubling their efforts at fund-raising in the legal community, and
plan to hold special events and organize a major donor society.
For more information about the MJF and how you can help please
visit:
www.mtjustice.org
or call 406.523.3920.
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