For over 30 years, the Idaho Law Foundation, through the IOLTA grant program, has been distributing funding to important programs that serve the public interest and fill important community needs. The total in grants distributed since 1985 totals over $6.6 million. For 2018, IOLTA will distribute $113,000 in grants, an increase of $18,000 over 2017 grant awards.

The $113,000 grant pool will be distributed to programs that provide legal services to the poor, law related education for the public, or for scholarships and student loans. For 2018, 70% of grants are targeted to legal services, 26% for law related education, and 4% for law school scholarships.

Funding for legal services was awarded to Idaho Legal Aid and Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program. Legal Aid prioritized IOLTA funding to help provide services to victims of domestic violence through a statewide network of offices in partnership with crisis centers.  IVLP is able to coordinate over 15,000 hours of pro bono legal assistance to low-income families and individuals who needed assistance with civil legal matters.

Three law related education programs received grants, including the YMCA, 4-H, and the Idaho High School Mock Trial Program. Funds for the YMCA supported their Youth in Government Program to help high school students from rural communities participate in an experiential program that explores how our state government operates. The 4-H Know Your Government Program allows 8th and 9th grade students to participate in a mock legislative session or trial. Idaho’s Mock Trial Program teaches students in grades 9-12 about the law and the legal system through a simulated trial competition.

Remaining IOLTA funds are earmarked for law school loans and scholarships at the University of Idaho College of Law and Concordia University School of Law. These funds help support law students who take unpaid fellowships that serve the public interest.

Attorneys and law firms can have a significant impact on the IOLTA program’s ability to fund these important and necessary services for Idaho communities by banking at financial institutions that optimize their IOLTA funds. For questions about the IOLTA grant program, contact Diane Minnich.