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Frequently Asked Questions

How is the PBF related to the PBA?

The PBF is the charitable affiliate of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.  The PBA President sits as an ex-officio member of the Foundation Board of Directors and the PBA Vice-president annually appoints a lawyer and a non-lawyer to sit on the Foundation Board as Designated Directors. 

 

The Foundation directs the bulk of its grant support to funding public education and pro bono outreach programs conducted by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

What is the mission and purpose of the PBF?

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation represents the commitment of Pennsylvania Lawyers to promote youth justice education and to ensure equal access to the law for Pennsylvania 's most vulnerable"

 

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, the charitable affiliate of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, improves the public's understanding of the law and its appreciation of democracy and strives to ensure that citizens, particularly Pennsylvania 's most vulnerable, have full access to our legal system. We accomplish our mission by making grants, seeking financial support from individuals and organizations both within and outside of the legal community, and encouraging bar members to donate their time, talent and expertise in service to the public.

What does the Foundation fund?

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation funds programs and projects consistent with its charitable mission and purposes. At this point, the bulk of our support is directed to programs and projects conducted by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. As the Foundation builds capacity, we hope to entertain grant applications from a variety of sources.

 

Programs historically supported by Foundation funds include:

 

Celebrate the Constitution

Law Day

Project Peace

Annual Pro Bono Conference

Public Service Institute
Operation Safe Surf
How does my organization apply for a grant from the PBF?

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation funds programs and projects consistent with its charitable mission and purposes. At this point, the bulk of our support is directed to programs and projects conducted by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

 

Two grant programs are presently under construction and will be accepting grant application in 2007 – 2008.  These are the Art Birdsall Impact Grant Program and the Legal Services to Middle Income Modest Means Program.  Both are intended to assist county bar associations.

 

As the Foundation builds capacity, we will be able to entertain grant applications from a more varied list of sources.

Does the PBF provide direct grants to individuals?

No. The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation funds programs and projects consistent with its charitable mission and purposes. At this point, the bulk of our support is directed to programs and projects conducted by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. As the Foundation builds capacity, we hope to entertain grant applications from a variety of sources.
How does the Foundation raise money?

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation presently raises money in six ways:

 

Fellows Program

·         Life Fellows

·         Commonwealth Club

·         Keystone Society

 

Dues Check-off Donations

Annual Silent Auction

Memorial/Honorarium Contributions

Bequests
How can I make a contribution to the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation?

There are several ways to support the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation.

 

You can become a Foundation Fellow.

You can contribute through the Dues Check-off on your annual Dues Statement

 

You can make a memorial donation.

You can make a bequest.

Are my contributions tax deductible?

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization. Your contributions are fully deductible provided no goods or services were received in consideration of your donation.

Does the PBF accept marketable securities?

Yes, subject to review by the Foundation’s Gifts Committee.

Who are the fellows of the PBF?

Fellows are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, in good standing, who contribute to the Foundation in any calendar year a sum to be determined from time-to-time by the Board of Directors. Fellows are entitled to vote as members during that calendar year.  Fellow membership is limited to 2% of the lawyers admitted to practice in Pennsylvania proportionately distributed among the Pennsylvania Bar Association zones by numerical lawyer population.  Any zone may waive its quota in whole or in part any year and the number of memberships so waived shall be reallocated among the other zones.

A Life Fellow is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, who contributes to the Foundation a total amount to be determined from time-to-time by the Board of Directors over a number of consecutive years to be determined from time-to-time by the Board of Directors.  A Life Fellow is not be required to make any payments thereafter in order to retain his or her right to vote as a member of the Foundation.  Life Fellows do not count against the two percent quota.

Am I eligible to become a fellow of the PBF?

Yes, if you are a member of the PBA.

Now that I am a PBF fellow, how can I help?

There are many opportunities to become actively involved in the work of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation. Foundation committees are the dynamos of the organization. There are presently thirteen committees carrying out the work of the Foundation: Audit; Bylaws; Events; Finance; Fundraising; Goffman Awards; Grants; Investment; Nominating; PBF/PBA-YLD Pro Bono Grant Project; Planned Giving; Scholarship; and Silent Auction. Each is more fully described in the 2007 – 2008 Committee Sign-up Form. If you are interested in joining one or two, or more, or if you would like more information, please contact Pennsylvania Bar Foundation Executive Director E. Marie Queen. She can be reached via phone at 888-238-3036 or via e-mail at info@pabarfoundation.org.
Will the PBF send an acknowledgment letter to the person I designate for a memorial or honorarium gift with a copy to me?
Yes, the Foundation is most grateful for the contribution and routinely sends acknowledgements to the donor and the person designated for the memorial or honorarium.
Does the Foundation maintain a law school scholarship program?
Yes, annually through the James W. Stoudt Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation that provides two, $750 scholarships to each of the law schools serving Pennsylvania. The Foundation relies on the law schools to select the recipients based upon the Foundation’s eligibility criteria.
How do I notify the PBF of my change of name, address, phone, fax or e-mail?
To update your personal information, please contact the Pennsylvania Bar Association at 888-238-3036 or info@pabar.org.
What are the benefits of becoming a fellow of the PBF?
The satisfaction that comes with philanthropy and the recognition and endorsement of the vital and unique role the Bar plays in ensuring access to justice and in educating our youth about our justice system and the privileges of democracy.
Now that I am a PBF fellow, how do I nominate someone to become a PBF fellow?

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation is always ready to welcome outstanding and proactive Bar leaders who consistently demonstrate their dedication to their state and local bar association and the various committees and sections that carry out the important work of the Bar.  Individuals seeking to become Foundation Fellows are encouraged to submit the Fellows Application.

Do you have suggestions of questions that you think would be of general interest to be answered here? Please e-mail your question to info@pabarfoundation.org.