For nearly 50 years, the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation has been at the forefront of supporting equal access to legal services for the poor. The Foundation raises money and distributes it to worthy legal services organizations in Los Angeles County. With the help of volunteer lawyers and the financial support of law firms, foundations, corporations, and individual lawyers throughout the area, the Foundation has contributed to the growth of highly effective, non-profit organizations providing legal services to the most needy in our community.

Through its 44 volunteer board members, the Foundation evaluates grant applications and distributes the funds it raises to worthy legal services organizations. The Foundation enjoys an ongoing relationship with its grant recipients and regularly monitors their operations and services.

The four well-known and highly esteemed projects operated by the Los Angeles County Bar Association receive 75% of the funds available from the Foundation for grants each year. These projects include: The AIDS Legal Services Project, the Domestic Violence Project, the Center for Civic Mediation (formerly DRS), and the Immigration Legal Assistance Project. A great many of the Foundation's other grant recipients are smaller, grass roots organizations that do not enjoy the benefits that name recognition lends to a solicitation effort.

The Foundation was incorporated in 1963 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is organized and operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Almost $8 million has been distributed since its founding.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation is to improve the administration of justice and the delivery of legal services; to cultivate understanding of and respect for the rule of law; and to render assistance to the poor, the neglected, and the most vulnerable.