The West Virginia Bar Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations which are involved in programs and activities to improve the administration of justice and educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities under the law in West Virginia.
The Bar Foundation generally does not make grants to support annual campaigns or membership drives, budget for operating expenses, sectarian programs or activities or political purposes or lobbying.
Grants are awarded after review and consideration by the Bar Foundation's Board of Directors. A decision on the grant will be made within two consecutive meetings of the Bar Foundation's Board of Directors after the grant request is received. Applicants will be advised as to decisions regarding each grant request. Grant recipients are required to make follow-up reports to the Bar Foundation within twelve months of receipt of the grant.
Effective September 2015, the Bar Foundation Board of Directors took action to add a self-sufficiency policy for the Bar Foundation grant application, review, and approval process. This new policy will be included on the Bar Foundation grant application form and is as follows:
"In considering grant applications, the Bar Foundation specifically requests that applicants provide detailed plans and actions that demonstrates the ability to attain self-sufficiency regarding the programs and activities for which it is requesting Bar Foundation funding. The Bar Foundation will not provide continuous annual grants for the exact same endeavor towards achieving its mission of improving the administration of justice and the provision of legal services."
As of December 31,2023, Bar Foundation grants totaling more than $607,000 have been awarded through 95 separate grants, including $26,050 awarded to 40 WVU College of Law students negatively impacted by the historic Covid-19 virus pandemic through nationwide grand from AccessLex. An additional sum of $99,883 has been provided through 12 grants from the net proceeds of the Lunch and Laughs with a Legal Legend events for a grant total of more than $707,000.
As of fiscal year, ending June 30, 2024, Bar Foundation grants totaling more than $634,000 have been awarded through 96 separate grants, including $26,050 awarded to 40 WVU College of Law students negatively impacted by the historic COVID-19 virus pandemic through a nationwide grant from AccessLex. An additional sum of $99,883 has been provided through 12 grants from the net proceeds of the Lunch and Laughs with a Legal Legend events, for a grand total of more than $734,000. Recent grants are listed below.