Pennsylvania Bar Foundation Launches Art Birdsall Impact Grant Program County Bars Associations to Benefit
3/12/2008
When County Bar Services Director Arthur J. Birdsall retired from his post at PBA in 2006, the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation and Pennsylvania Bar Association decided to work together to create a program to commemorate Art’s long tenure as the Association’s pre-eminent link to its important county bar partners.
The fundraising campaign conducted in association with Art’s gala retirement party provided over $13,500 to launch a grant program based on Art’s wishes – to assist county bar associations in implementing a specific program, project or enhancement of an existing program or projects that succeeded in making an immediate impact on the way county bar associations operate in service their members, the courts and their community.
“The program is open to all bar associations, with consideration given to those with limited needs,” commented Foundation President Karen M. Balaban of Harrisburg. “We’re hopeful that the program will be able to fund one or two grants annually over the next 10-years and make a meaningful and measurable impact on county bar operations across the state.”
Foundation Zone 6 Director Susan Key of Washington County firm of Peacock Keller & Ecker LLP will chair the five-person grant evaluation committee comprised of Foundation members selected by Foundation President Balaban and the Conference of County Bar Leaders Executive Committee. The committee will evaluate submissions and select recipient(s) annually to share in grants totaling not more than $1,000. Any unallocated funds will be carried forward to the succeeding year.
County Bar Associations interested in applying for grants funds must complete a simple two-page application. The deadline for submission is May 5, 2008. The successful applicant(s) will be notified in writing on or before June 1, and the grants will be awarded during the Annual Meeting of the Foundation Board of Directors and Members on June 5, 2008 in Hershey, PA in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Click here for more information and a grant application form.