The Indianapolis Bar Foundation has reorganized its grant making activity with the intent to provide greater impact with its dollars. The Indianapolis Bar Foundation Impact Fund is now organized to provide a single high dollar grant to an Indianapolis area project meeting the purpose of the IBF. For 2011 the grant amount has been determined to be $35,000.

To be considered a project must advance the administration of justice and an understanding of the law through philanthropy, education and service. Through its grant award, the IBF wishes to support a project presented by an organization or collaborating organizations that seek to effect a substantial positive impact in central Indiana.

The criteria which must apply to qualify for funding include the following:

Project funding from IBF may be awarded only to non-profit organizations.

Project benefits the central Indiana community, as a whole, including its impact on the image of the legal profession.

Project presents opportunities for members of the central Indiana legal community to participate on a pro bono or modest means basis.

Project articulates a plan to be sustained by other funding beyond the potential financial award from the IBF.

Project represents either a new venture for the applicant organization(s) or a plan for significant supplementation to an existing service.

Grant applications are now available online at www.indybar.org and are due by June 15, 2011. Funds will be awarded by August.

In the past, the IBF distributed a variety of grants ranging in amounts of $500-$10,000. Due to the small impact these dollars were having upon the viability or longevity of a given program the IBF sought a new approach with the desire to develop a greater relationship with the organization gaining support and higher awareness for the impact of the donated dollars.

In addition to the Impact Fund, the IBF has granted $105,000 earlier this year to a variety of community service programs co-sponsored with the Indianapolis Bar Association. Some of the programs funded include Ask a Lawyer, Legal Line, the publishing of Commonly Asked Questions about Indiana Law, and educational programming at Bench Bar Conference.•