IOLTA
Grant Application
Grant Awards

The Kansas Bar Foundation's Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) Program is soliciting grant applications for 2009. The deadline to submit applications is December 31, 2008. The foundation's Board of Trustees will make a decision on the applications by mid February.

The IOLTA program was approved by the Kansas Supreme Court in 1984 and is primarily aimed at funding programs that provide civil legal services for low income people and law-related charitable public service projects. In the past, seventy percent of the funds have gone for civil legal services to low income people, with the largest share going to provide direct legal services for victims of domestic violence.

All grants are reviewed by the Foundation's IOLTA Committee that is made up of appointees from the Foundation, the Kansas Bar Association, the Kansas Supreme Court, the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel and the Governor's Office. The IOLTA Committee forwards its recommendations to the foundation's Board of Trustees for final approval.

The Kansas Bar Foundation has set certain criteria for those organizations wishing to apply for IOLTA funds. Only those organizations which fit the following standards may apply:

• The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Some consideration will be given to local bar associations that are 501(c)(6) organizations if the project is charitable in nature.
• The applicant must agree to an audit or a review of their expenses if requested by the Foundation;
• The applicant is responsible for quarterly and year-end reports detailing how the funds were used and who benefited from them;
• Applicants will be required to demonstrate fiscal responsibility, program stability, and an ability to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of quality services.