Educating Tomorrow's Leaders | Expanding Civil Justice | Aiding the Profession
In This Issue
Quick Links
Annual Report
Community Redevelopment Justice Grants
The Foundation board approved distributing $675,000 in Community Redevelopment Justice grants next year. Grant applications are due by February 1, 2017, and grant decisions will be announced by March 31, 2017. Follow this link for grant application materials. 
Infusing the Value of Civil Legal Aid into the Private Philanthropic Sector
Ever wonder why more private and community foundations don't fund the good work of the legal aid community? Sometimes it's because they don't understand the impact.

Charles R. "Chuck" Dunlap, Executive Director, and Marilyn Smith, Director of Civil Justice Programs, authored an article for the ABA newsletter, Dialogue, about a grant project to increase understanding of "smart, results-oriented philanthropy" that legal aid nonprofits provide. Read it here.
High School Mock Trial Judges Needed in February and March
Sign up to judge the Indiana High School Mock Trial regional or state competitions. Regionals occur in Indianapolis, Hammond, and South Bend in February. There are 56 teams registered to compete. The state finals occur in March in Indianapolis.

In response to volunteer requests, we have teamed with ICLEF and applied for CLE credit for your time spent volunteering. Find the dates and volunteer registration here. Any questions may be directed to Collin Gruver, Director of Civic Education Programs.

"Mock trial is the most critically demanding activity a high school student may undertake. It demands intelligence, creativity, acting skills, hard work, commitment to a team, and dedication. As Indiana's program grows and flourishes, we will all see the inherent value and necessity of sustaining this program for our youth," explained a teacher and three-year coach.
We the People: Cathedral Wins State Finals
Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, took first place at the 2016 High School State Finals and is headed to the national finals in April 2017. Fishers Junior High School, Fishers, won the Middle School State Finals on December 13.

Help those teams succeed at nationals! Donate today to ensure the teams have the financial support they need to focus on the constitutional issues on which they will testify. Make Indiana shine brightly in the national spotlight. Donate today!

"The Foundation has enabled this program to be one of the best in the nation," said one Indiana high school We the People teacher.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible and to the many donors who ensured the success of these students. Thank you also to Blue & Co. for ensuring our scoring is accurate and to the Crowne Plaza Union Station staff for helping the Foundation serve 700+ students, teachers, parents, and volunteers.
Civic Education and Legal Aid Strengthened by You!
When you volunteer your time to help students or the less fortunate who need legal advice, you aren't just helping them, you are helping yourself. Most volunteers say it gives them hope when they see the knowledge and passion these students have. They find pride in helping a person in need with a legal challenge.

Don't forget the Indiana Bar Foundation as you think about your year-end philanthropic goals. Who else is going to educate Indiana students about the Constitution or the American judicial system? Who else is going to pursue finding opportunities for the legal aid nonprofits that serve your local communities? Make a donation online, or think about making a deferred gift by designating a portion of your life insurance or retirement account to the Foundation as a beneficiary. Need more information about other deferred giving options? Talk to a staff member confidentially.