Major Gifts & Endowment
Thank you for your extraordinary commitment to long-term solutions ensuring access to justice for all. Your remarkable philanthropy through the Bar Foundation will have maximum impact through our grants and other support for the full range of nonprofit legal aid organizations in our community.
Support for the Bar Foundation's Endowment Fund over time has raised its value to over $7 million. We rely on interest earned on the funds in the endowment to maintain a substantial, predictable source of income to carry out our mission. Endowment-related revenue is crucial for supplementing other forms of fundraising, allowing the Foundation to award unrestricted substantial annual grants to nearly 40 nonprofit legal aid organizations.
Pillars of Justice
Pillars of Justice are individuals who make the highest commitment to supporting the Foundation's access to justice work. Pillars give $100,000 over a multi-year period, either through gifts to the endowment and/or to the annual unrestricted funds of the Bar Foundation.
Advocates of Justice
Advocates of Justice pledge to give $25,000 payable over three years.
Life Fellows of the Hamilton Circle
Life Fellows are Hamilton Circle members who complete their initial pledge and agree to donate an additional $15,000 over a multi-year period.
Andrew Hamilton Circle Members
This vital philanthropic program was founded in 1992 by Chancellor Deborah R. Willig and Bar Foundation President Timothy J. Carson to grow the Bar Foundation's endowment fund. Members of the Hamilton Circle make a commitment to give $10,000 over a multi-year period.
Young Lawyers Division Hamilton Circle Members
YLD members of the Philadelphia Bar Association may participate in the Hamilton Circle by pledging to give $300 - $500 over a multi-year period.
See the list of individuals who have made the extraordinary commitment to participate in these major gift and endowment programs of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.
CLOSING THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE GAP
- The lack of access to justice often leads to lost opportunities for education, employment, housing, family unity, health care, safety, and much more.
- Successfully addressing the full variety of legal needs requires providing a wide range of legal services. Gaps in legal services mean gaps in our system of justice.
- Your ability and long-term dedication to helping will ensure access to justice for many individuals and families struggling with poverty, abuse, and discrimination.
- You can count on the Bar Foundation’s enduring commitment to supporting and strengthening the full range of nonprofit legal aid organizations working on issues from education to employment, health to housing, youth to seniors, and people with disabilities to immigrants.