Welcome to the NCBF website!

The National Conference of Bar Foundations is the professional organization for volunteer leaders and executive staff members who serve the more than 200 local, state and specialty bar foundations throughout the nation.Our mission is to improve the administration of justice and the court system as the philanthropic organizations for the legal profession and the judiciary.

NCBF has a wide variety of programs and services that are available for our members, including:

  • Education Seminars
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Best Practices
  • Communications - Listserv, email blasts, website
  • The Complete Guide to Bar Foundations
  • Surveys and Statistical Reports
  • Forms and Procedures Bank
  • Governance and Financial Policies

The NCBF Board of Trustees is a diverse group of bar foundation leaders from all types and all sizes of bar foundations from across the nation. The experienced staff of the American Bar Association's Division for Bar Services provides the necessary guidance and assistance. Please contact me regarding any NCBF matter.

NCBF- the organization of bar foundation professionals that works to meet the needs of the legal community and our citizens.

Steve Chappelear, NCBF President


The Complete Guide to Bar Foundations is a free member benefit to all NCBF members. The guide contains sound advice and information along with sample policies that you can adapt to fit your foundation's needs.

Table of contents

Co-Sponsor of the NCBF/LexisNexis "Partnerships for Success" Award

2012 NCBF Annual Meeting - August 2-4, 2012

Registration for the NCBF 2012 Annual Meeting, August 2-4, is now open. The NCBF meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Bar Association and will take place at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, also the headquarters hotel for meetings of the National Association of Bar Executives and the National Conference of Bar Presidents.

Register before May 31 and receive an early bird discount of $50 off the price of your registration; to take advantage of the best selection in housing options, register now.

2012 NCBF/LexisNexis Partnerships for Success Award - Nominations Open

The National Conference of Bar Foundations is accepting nominations for the 2012 NCBF/LexisNexisPartnerships for Success Award. This award honors bar foundation initiatives that make a significant impact in their community on issues for which lawyers are uniquely positioned to lead. The award will be presented at the annual meeting joint luncheon of NCBP/NABE/NCBF in Chicago this August. For more on the award and application information, click here.

2012 NCBF Midyear Meeting - February 2-4

The 2012 New Orleans Midyear Meeting focus on fundraising and marketing was well-received, and there were lots of "stars" at the Saturday morning "show and tell" session at which several members presented their collateral materials. If you missed the meeting, you can still benefit from the handouts.  Click here for more information.

For some of the sights inside and outside of the meeting rooms, check out the photo gallery.

NEW! Indianapolis Bar Foundation Wins 2012 Fundraising for Success Award

The Indianapolis Bar Foundation received the Fundraising for Success Award for its Giving Level Improvement Initiative. The IBF was recognized at the 2012 Midyear Meeting Awards Luncheon of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, National Association of Bar Executives and National Conference of Bar Foundations in New Orleans, February 3.

Learn more about the award-winning effort.

Get more fundraising ideas from other award applicants:

Recent Listserve Q&A

What types of programs does your Bar Foundation run and/or what types of programs does your Bar Foundation fund through grants?

NCBF's Surveys

NCBF Members Only resources feature surveys covering a range of topics, ncluding the national impact bar foundation funding has on legal services and the administration of justice, and executive compensation.

If you are a member, you can access the surveys here with the member password. If you are not a member, learn more here.

Bar Foundation in Action

Since 1968, the Hennepin County Bar Foundation (HCBF) has made a positive impact on the community by funding legal projects and agencies that support those in need throughout Hennepin County. The HCBF serves as the charitable arm of the Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota's largest district bar association, and works to achieve its mission of providing equal justice for all.
 

The HCBF has just begun its 2012 grant review process. Last year, the HCBF awarded $108,000 in grants to 30 law-related organizations that offer direct legal services to low-income individuals, provide legal education to the community, and help to improve the administration of justice. In addition, the HCBF pledged its support--with funding commitments of $167,000--to the new Call for Justice initiative. This three-year pilot project is working towards providing a single intake line for individuals seeking pro bono legal services in Minnesota's metro counties (Hennepin and Ramsey).