June 17, 2015 – This year’s Wisconsin Law Foundation Grants will help the public navigate the ever-changing health insurance landscape, provide access to legal services for those who cannot afford it, educate adults about the court system, help teenagers learn about and participate in the justice system, and set young lawyers on the path to leadership.
About the Wisconsin Law Foundation
The Wisconsin Law Foundation is the charitable and educational arm of the State Bar that serves to promote public understanding of the law, improvement of the administration of justice and other law-related public service through funding of innovative and creative programs that improve the vision of the American justice system.
The Foundation offers lawyers many opportunities to join their colleagues in supporting programs that have a long-lasting, positive impact on Wisconsin adults and youth. Through membership dues, donor-advised designated funds, and will provisions, contributors can direct their donations to specific law-related programs.
To make a donation, visit the Foundation’s donation page.
The Foundation awarded $30,086 in grants to law-related programs across Wisconsin, including several small, high-impact programs, two statewide programs, and scholarships that promote leadership in young lawyers.
The Thomas Q. McNulty Grants for Charitable or Educational Programs
Five programs received Truman Q. McNulty grants this year. The McNulty grants are up to $2,000 awarded to charitable or educational programs that promote public understanding of the law, or improve the administration of justice, or are a law-related public service project.
Recipients of the 2015 grants are:
ABC for Health, Inc. received $1,910 as a co-sponsor of the “2015 WI Health Coverage Connections: Mind the Gap!” project to help low-income clients obtain and maintain health care coverage. The project has a multi-pronged training approach that combines in-person workshops with an on-demand component to effectively distribute information to clients. A nonprofit public interest law firm with three offices around the state, ABC for Health is dedicated to expanding health care access for children and families.
Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, Inc. received $2,000 to expand and enhance their Peer Court program. The program assists the remediation of youth that have committed first offense, low-level crimes. The grant will allow at least four youth per month to participate in the program.
Centro Legal of Milwaukee received $2,000 to support its Family Law Consultation Program. The program educates potential pro se litigants about the family court process, helps them understand their legal situation and options, and informs them about the resources available to them at the courthouse, Centro Legal, and other community agencies.
Crawford County Teen Court and the Winnebago County Teen Court received grants of $2,000 and $1,995, respectively. Teen court programs typically hear the cases of juveniles between the ages of 12 and 17 who have committed their first nonviolent offenses or who are minor repeat offenders. The goals are restitution to the community and victims and giving youth an opportunity to become accountable for their behavior and develop as responsible citizens.
Educational Programs with Statewide Impact
State Bar’s Law-related Education programs received $16,500 to support the High School Mock Trial Tournament and Our Courts Wisconsin program, which promote awareness of the law and citizenship through interactive educational experiences.
The High School Mock Trial Tournament program received $10,500 to continue its aim to familiarizestudentswiththeAmericanlegalsystemthrough participationinatrialsimulationaslawyersandwitnesses.
The Our Courts Wisconsin program received $6,000 to offer nonpartisan informational programs to adult audiences throughout Wisconsin. Specially-trained legal professionals make presentations free of charge to community groups.
Foundation Supports Tomorrow’s Leaders with Donald O’Melia Scholarships
With these scholarships, the Foundation makes an ongoing commitment to support the mentoring and cultivation of the next generation of State Bar leaders.
This year, 10 new lawyers received $409 each in Donald O’Melia Scholarships after participating in the 2015 State Bar Leadership Development Summit in March. Nominated by their colleagues, the lawyers who attended the summit agree to commit to a voluntary leadership position with the State Bar. The scholarships cover the cost of admission and meals for the State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference.
Apply for 2016 Truman McNulty Grants by April 5
The Foundation reviews grant applications each spring. Submit requests for McNulty Grants for charitable or education programs of up to $2,000 for fiscal year 2016 by April 5, 2016.
To apply, download grant application guidelines, or contact Beth Drake at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6171.
