Ingham County Bar Association

Foundation

The Ingham County Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in Michigan in 2002 as a vehicle for lawyers and other interested citizens to make charitable contributions for the tangible, meaningful benefit of the community.

Mission

The mission of the Ingham County Bar Foundation 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
Foster the honor and integrity of the profession of law

Foundation Membership

Any person may become a member of the Ingham County Bar Foundation by making a donation of at least $25 per year. Lifetime membership is achieved by donating $1,000 or more, either by way of one lump sum or cumulatively over the course of time. Members are entitled to voting rights and may choose to serve the Foundation through committee work.

How to Give

Donations of any amount, at any time, are accepted by the Foundation and are fully tax deductible.

Memorials are a lasting gift of support in memory of a friend, loved one, or colleague. Memorial contributions can be identified for a specific project, endowment, or made as an unrestricted gift.

Planned Gifts made through a Will or Trust allow you, your family, or your client to make a donation as part of an estate plan. The Foundation may accept gifts in any form, including personal property, securities, life insurance, remainder trusts, etc.

Please consult with your accountant or tax advisor regarding the benefits of making a gift based upon your particular circumstances.

Click to download a
pledge card 94KB

Who Benefits?

In October 2007, the Foundation awarded five grants totaling $7,250 to five organizations in our community. The Foundation board exceeded its normal funding guidelines in order to grant additional funds to make the ICBF’s presence more notable in the community and provide a greater impact to worthy recipients. Each organization used its grant to fund specific programs:

1. The Thomas M. Cooley Law School's Center for Ethics, Service and Professionalism received $2,000 for its "Service to Soldiers: Legal Assistance Referral Program" which pairs military personnel with area attorneys to assist with unmet legal needs resulting from deployment without financial burden so troops can focus on rebuilding their lives and relationships with loved ones.

2. End Violent Encounters, better known as EVE, Inc., was awarded $1,000 to continue funding of its Domestic Violence Support Unit (DVSU) services available to victims of domestic violence who reside in rural Ingham County. The DVSU provides access to personal protection order assistance, advocacy and referral services for victims and their children. The DVSU is a collaboration of Eve, Inc., and the Ingham County Sheriff's office. The Bar Foundation's funds will supplement funding from the Mason Area United Way and allow for an expansion of DVSU services for domestic violence victims.

3. Elder Law of Michigan received $1,000 from the Bar Foundation for its "Getting Your Affairs in Order" project to assist terminally ill senior citizens with low cost and quick strategies to arrange their legal and financial affairs before they pass away. The program will also address planning for the needs of the survivors. A printed booklet and telephone support through the Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors will also be included in the project.

4. The Ingham County Bar Association received $1,250 to continue their annual Law Day Essay Contest for middle school students in the tri-county area. Students participating the 2008 contest discussed issues related to Freedom of Speech, with a particular emphasis on the use of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Contest winners received U.S. Savings Bonds and learned more about our legal system through courthouse tours, a quiz bowl, and face-to-face discussions with lawyers and judges on Law Day 2008.

5. Legal Services of South Central Michigan was awarded $2,000 to continue to provide the public with relevant, current information to assist them in making choices on legal issues impacting their lives through readily available legal education, information, and referral services at its Access to Justice Center in a centralized location at Veteran's Memorial Courthouse in downtown Lansing. The Center strives to prevent and resolve legal disputes by providing reference to other comprehensive community services such as mediation, social services, health care, housing, abuse shelters, mental health, education, and more.

Other recipients of donations or grants from the Ingham County Bar Foundation in previous years include:

The Greater Lansing Food Bank
Thomas M. Cooley Law School 5K Race for Education
City of Lansing Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Holiday Observance for Students
H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program with the Lansing Police Department and Lansing Public Schools
Elder Law of Michigan
Highfields, Inc.
Lansing State Journal - Newspapers in Education Program
Ingham County Child Benefit Fund
Dwight Rich Middle School's Emotionally & Mentally Impaired Educational Program
Sister Cities - Voting Rights Act Commemorative Program
Sister Cities - Brown v Board of Education Commemorative Program
Ingham County Bar Association - Bench/Bar Conference
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ingham County
ACORN Institute

Grant Applications

New projects that meet the mission and goals of the Ingham County Bar Foundation are considered each year.

The Foundation is now accepting applications for 2008 funding grants. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2008.

Please click here for a copy of the Foundation's Grant Guidelines & Application.

Questions regarding the grant application process should be directed to Kristen Kemp, Executive Director, and 517-483-6414 or kkemp@inghambar.org . Please allow up to three business days for replies.

Board of Directors of the Ingham County Bar Foundation:

Lawrence P. Nolan, President
Boardmem15@aol.com

George Zulakis, Vice President
gzulakis@bzpc.com

Nan E. Casey, Treasurer
ncasey@fraserlawfirm.com

David M. Lick, Secretary
dmlick@loomislaw.com

Shauna L. Dunnings
shaunad@ingham.org

Susan L. LeDuc
sldapa@yahoo.com

James F. Graves
jimgraves@sinasdramis.com

Max R. Hoffman, Jr.
hoffmanm@butzel.com

Peter S. Sheldon
psheldon@dickinsonwright.com

Kristin M. Smith
smithkm@michigan.gov

Webb A. Smith
wsmith@fosterswift.com