The Washington State Bar Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Washington State Bar Association. Donations are tax-deductible and support the following programs:
Powerful Communities. This program provides grants (currently $5,000) to fund legal aid projects throughout Washington. To date, 75 grants totaling $264,000 have been awarded to projects serving over 20 Washington counties. Grantees work with immigrant communities, people who are formerly incarcerated, tribal communities, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, youth of color, and many others.
Equity & Justice. We support WSBAs diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, which include free Legal Lunchbox CLEs on DEI topics, an annual reception for underrepresented and non-traditional law students, pathways to the profession initiatives, work with the Affinity Bar Associations, and more. We also help secure sponsorships for the Access to Justice Conference and other events.
Sections Support. The Foundation support certain WSBA Sections with fundraising and administration of their funds, including the Taxation Section Scholarship, the ELUL Midyear Scholarship, and the Elder Law Greenfield internship.
Foundation History
The Washington State Bar Foundation (WSBF) was incorporated in 1957 and originally used to house a small number of memorial funds. In 1977, the Foundation was more formally organized to receive a real estate donation which ultimately never transpired. In 1980 it was officially designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The WSBF then managed funds for a variety of WSBA initiatives including a mentor program, student loan repayment program, a scholarship fund for law students, first responder wills clinics and others. The Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were updated in 2001, naming the sitting members of the WSBA Board of Governors as the sole members of the WSBF. In 2010, the first dedicated staff member was hired to manage the WSBF and in 2012 it started receiving optional donations from the WSBA license renewal form.
The Foundation currently raises funds in support of WSBA Equity & Justice programs, including Powerful Communities (which has granted $264,000 for legal projects across Washington) the Washington Law Student Employment Retreat, the Access to Justice Conference and others.
Meet our Board of Trustees
We are grateful for the dedicated group of professionals that make up our Board of Trustees. If you are interested in learning about joining our Board, please get in touch!
Make a tax-deductible donation to the Washington State Bar Foundation today!
Foundation Information :
The Washington State Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID# 91-1098324
