May 2011

The CBF awarded 100% of the record proceeds raised through the 2011 CBF Investing in Justice Campaign in grants to 37 pro bono and legal aid organizations in the Chicago area.  These grants, which totaled more than $1.3 million, will enable these organizations to provide critical legal assistance to tens of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged Chicagoans in our community, including the elderly, the disabled, veterans, children, domestic violence victims and people at risk of losing their homes.

The CBF’s Campaign grants, which provide vital operating support for the work of these organizations and support a number of innovative special projects and initiatives that improve access to justice for people in need, were made possible thanks to the generous support of over 3,000 individuals and 110 law firms, corporate legal departments and other law-related organizations that participated in the Campaign.

The 2011 Campaign grants were awarded through the CBF’s comprehensive screening and evaluation process that carefully vets organizations and projects before they receive funding.  The CBF’s grants process is overseen by a highly-regarded board of lawyers and judges who are broadly representative of Chicago’s legal community with the assistance of experienced CBF staff.  The CBF’s rigorous grants process ensures accountability and strategically allocates the Campaign funds to maximize impact; leverages additional support from government and other sources; and promotes best practices on common issues and collective challenges facing pro bono and legal aid organizations.

The bulk of this year’s CBF Campaign grants ($915,000) again went for general operating support grants to dozens of pro bono and legal aid organizations serving the Chicago area.  Priority among the CBF’s Organizational Support grants is given to organizations that provide legal services to substantial numbers of low-income and disadvantaged people in areas of law where there is considerable unmet need and demonstrate significant impact in their work.

This year’s Campaign also made possible more than $400,000 in special project grants that provide support for innovative projects that have proven to be very effective in making the justice system more user-friendly and accessible for those in need.  Many of these grants were awarded as part of a joint grantmaking partnership with The Chicago Community Trust, leveraging substantial additional funding.  The CBF selected these projects for major Campaign grants because they leverage significant funding from other sources, effectively utilize substantial numbers of pro bono lawyers, and/or are potential models for similar access to justice projects.

Click here for more information about the CBF’s Campaign grants. 

For more information, contact Dina Merrell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 312-554-1206.