July 2023

Dunlap’s Download

A message from Charles Dunlap, Indiana Bar Foundation President & CEO

Happy New (Fiscal) Year!

As the dawn breaks on a new fiscal year, the Indiana Bar Foundation is poised to continue its exciting journey filled with innovative initiatives and a continuing commitment to its mission of inspiring and leading change to improve civic education and legal assistance for all Hoosiers.

Expanding Civil Legal Assistance Services

A cornerstone of the Foundation’s mission is supporting the critical need for civil legal assistance. As we enter this fiscal year, the Foundation recently approved nearly $4 million in grants to support our statewide network of civil legal aid partners. This significant investment is in addition to the $13.1 million contract for housing legal services the Foundation continues to administer.

The new fiscal year also includes continuing and expanding the placement of 150 legal information kiosks in all 92 counties. The Foundation plans to bring even more innovative ways for Hoosiers to connect to the legal services they need. 

New Civic Education and Engagement Initiatives

The Foundation also has several exciting initiatives around civic education and engagement. We are hard at work developing robust resources for Hoosier civics teachers with a particular focus on the new 6th-grade civics course beginning later in the upcoming school year. Specifically, we are expanding our in-person and virtual teacher professional development opportunities and creating a comprehensive, ready-to-implement, full-semester civics course aligned with the new Indiana Department of Education standards so teachers can hit the ground running. To continue expanding the resources available to teachers and increasing civic engagement throughout the state, we will be spearheading the newly created Indiana Civics Coalition. This new Foundation-led initiative will help bring together groups and individuals who care deeply about expanding civic education opportunities and civic engagement to ensure that the foundations of our government, communities, and civic life remain strong. Please let us know if you or someone you know is interested in joining the civics coalition.

Engaging our Philanthropic Partners

Another exciting priority for the new fiscal year is to expand our relationships with philanthropic partners to help increase the impact of our mission. We recently announced that the Indiana Bar Foundation will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a gala event on October 3, 2025! As we move towards this historic Foundation event, we are planning a year-long celebration during all of 2025, and we are looking for philanthropic partners to join us in this celebration and help to move our mission forward.

As the Foundation ushers in a new fiscal year, it does so with a renewed commitment to its mission and a profound appreciation for the many partners that continue to help translate our mission and vision into real-world action. Thank you for your support, vision, and confidence. We look forward to accomplishing many great things together during the upcoming 12 months!

-Chuck

With more than 130 people attending the June 23 event, the Foundation's Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon was a smashing success. The Foundation's 75th Anniversary campaign and logo was unveiled at the event. "I am thrilled to officially announce our 75th Anniversary in 2025, a short 18 months away. We invite you to look forward with us to that spectacular occasion and ask our supporters to consider a once-in-our-lifetime 75th Anniversary Marquee Sponsorship," said Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap. "One major gift will place this patron at the top, sharing our spotlight statewide, and throughout the year. We look forward to hearing from a partner with the capacity and vision to claim this opportunity," said Dunlap. Kim Berry, Director of Development, is available for a private conversation while the Marquee Sponsorship is still available. Please contact Kim for additional information.

Dunlap also shared significant accomplishments from the previous year in civil legal assistance, civic education, and development. Event host and 2022 Champion of Civil Legal Assistance Award winner Scott Wylie thanked luncheon sponsors, acknowledged Keystone Society members for their ongoing support, and recognized the commitment of donors and all organizations supporting the Foundation. Highlighting the event was the recognition of three outstanding individuals for their contributions to civic education, civil legal assistance, and legendary leadership. Please read about our award winners here.



(Pictured L-R: Foundation Board Chair Caryn Glawe, Hon. Melissa May, Hon. Randall Shephard, Scott Barnhart, and Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap)

Thank You to Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Sponsors

Foundation events, including the Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, are only possible with the commitment of great organizations and individuals. Your passion, investment, and support of the Foundation are appreciated. Thank you!

2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Table Sponsors

(Pictured above L-R: Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Church Church Hittle + Antrim; and Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC))

(Pictured below L-R: Indiana State Bar Association and Quarles)

Save the Date!

Please mark your calendars for the 2024 Indiana Bar Foundation Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 21, 2024.

All Indiana Counties Have Access to Indiana Legal Help Kiosks

The Foundation has reached our goal of placing at least one kiosk in all 92 counties. The kiosks bridge the digital divide by making the legal information and resources available on IndianaLegalHelp.org more accessible to Hoosiers. Kiosks are in courthouses, libraries, and community spaces around the state. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority provided funding to make this initiative possible.

(Pictured: A patron of the Sullivan County Library in Sullivan looks through the available options on IndianaLegalHelp.org)

Foundation Well-Represented at Annual Volunteer Lawyer Program Luncheon

Marilyn Smith and Abbie Bush attended the Annual Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP) Volunteer Luncheon held on Thursday, June 8, in Fort Wayne. The luncheon included an address from the Honorable Judge Samuel Conrad of Adams County Superior Court highlighting the impact pro bono attorneys have on litigants and the legal process. The VLP serves a nine-county region in northeast Indiana. Since its inception in 2002, VLP has allowed hundreds of attorneys to volunteer thousands of hours of legal expertise to help individuals and families gain equal access to the civil justice system. 

(Pictured above L-R: Marilyn Smith, Foundation Senior Counsel, Ruth de Wit, Executive Director, VLP, and Abbie Bush, Foundation Director of Civil Legal Assistance Programs; Second photo: Foundation board member David Van Gilder also attended the VLPNEI luncheon with his daughter Audrey. Both were recognized at the event for their pro bono service.)

Foundation Participates in Indiana State Bar Association Conference

Indiana Legal Help Manager, Mike Commons, attended the Indiana State Bar Association's General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Conference held on June 1-3 at the French Lick Springs Conference Center in French Lick, Indiana. Together, the Foundation and Pro Bono Indiana used their shared booth space to promote legal resources and pro bono opportunities in Indiana. (Pictured L-R Pro Bono Indiana's Amanda Maier, Dana Luetzelschwab, Mike Commons, and Laura Jones).

Clerks Conference Attendees Impressed with Indiana Legal Help Program

Abbie Bush, Director of Civil Legal Assistance Programs (pictured), attended the 2023 Annual Clerks Conference held June 26-28 in Indianapolis. The conference provided the chance to share the valuable resources available on IndianaLegalHelp.org with Clerks of Circuit Courts from around the state. Abbie also offered one-on-one demonstrations of the newly deployed Indiana Legal Help kiosks.  

Indiana Civics Coalition First Meeting Held

Thank you to everyone attending the highly successful June 8 Indiana Civics Coalition meeting. Among the highlights was the announcement of three committees: civic education, civic health, and civic advocacy. View the meeting PowerPoint here. If you want to join the Indiana Civics Coalition, please contact Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen. Groups or individuals wishing to sponsor the Indiana Civics Coalition are encouraged to contact Foundation Director of Development Kim Berry.

More than 40 Educators Participate in We the People Summer Institute

Indiana educators have completed the Foundation's 2023 We the People Summer Institute. The institute exemplifies our commitment to supporting Indiana educators by connecting the We the People curriculum with elementary through high school instruction. We the People applies to various content areas, including social studies, government, and history.

Save the Date for the Foundation's Fall Professional Development

On September 27, join the Indiana Bar Foundation at the Indiana Statehouse as we partner with the Indiana Court of Appeals to take you behind the curtain of the judicial branch. Attending this one-of-a-kind immersive experiential workshop will provide a unique insight into the judicial branch that very few get to see. Attendees will observe an oral argument, debrief with the attorneys who argued the case, have lunch with Court of Appeals judges, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Statehouse, and walk away with lessons and resources to help teach the judicial branch. This is perfect for any educator who teaches any aspect of civics or government. Information and registration will be available on the Foundation’s website soon!

Save the Date for the July 27 Annual ILAS CLE Conference

Please join the Foundation in attending the July 27 Indianapolis Legal Aid Society's 10th Annual "Timeless Tips from the Bench & Bar" CLE event. More than 20 presenters will discuss critical law updates, court etiquette, and skill refreshers. Six hours of CLE credit, including one hour of ethics, will be available. This conference is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights from distinguished judges and attorneys. Additional information and registration can be found here.

Foundation President & CEO Teaches at Transatlantic Conference

Chuck Dunlap (pictured) presented at the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship at Purdue University. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the Fellowship. 



The program consists of four modules, each representing a component of Benjamin Franklin’s legacy, including international relations and diplomacy, media and communication, civic education and democratic citizenship, and service and volunteerism. Each module comprises thematic presentations, workshops, seminars, panel discussions, site visits, and other interactive activities conducted by highly qualified faculty, graduate students, and area specialists

Foundation Leadership Represents Indiana at FBI Conference

Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap and Senior Counsel Marilyn Smith (pictured) represented Indiana at the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association Leadership Conference in Boston. “We were able to attend various sessions, collect materials, and make connections to bring back to Indiana,” said Dunlap, who was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to the national organization. He is the treasurer, and Smith is the communications chair of the Indiana Chapter.

Happy Anniversary to the Foundation's Michael Tranovich

Congratulations to Foundation Finance & IOLTA Manager Michael Tranovich (pictured with Foundation Director of Civil Legal Assistance Abbie Bush) on his 24th work anniversary. Michael's experience has positioned the Foundation among the nation's best-managed IOLTA programs. Thank you, Michael, for your hard work and dedication to the Foundation!

New staff and expanding programs reflect the Foundation's continued growth. We are proud of our team and want to introduce them to you! Please take a moment to Get to Know Foundation Development Specialist Megan Clarke-Richter.