The KBF has committed itself to assisting with improving the access to the legal system for all Kansans. One of the key methods of accomplishing this objective is by providing grants to civil legal service programs that provide services to low-income citizens. In the past, these grants have concentrated on such high impact clients as victims of domestic violence, the elderly, and children. Funds are made available to assist with administering local and state bar pro bono legal services programs, reduced fee programs and to provide technical support for legal service staff.

The second largest category receiving IOLTA funds has been law-related education projects for the public. A variety of public education seminars on the Constitution have received funding. These seminars have been one-day to day-and-a-half programs developed for secondary school social studies teachers. Funds were also granted to assist with the Close-Up project, Citizen Bee programs, the LRE Clearinghouse, the Law Wise newsletter, the statewide Mock Trial competition, and legal rights and responsibilities booklets.

The KBF will consider grants to improve the administration of justice in Kansas. Generally, this area has covered such concerns as alternative procedures for the resolution of disputes, promotion and support for programs facilitating access to the legal system, and improvements in the court system.

Grant applicants shall describe their project and include how their request meets one or more of the purposes listed by the KBF for use of IOLTA funds. See IOLTA History and Grant Philosophy below for more information.

• Applicants should indicate their prior track record in operating similar projects.
• Consideration will be given to applicants whose proposed projects do not duplicate services already being provided.

Applicants must state the methods they use to meet their goal and a timetable in which they expect results.

Things to consider:

• Programs using local bar volunteer lawyers are encouraged.
• Priority will be given to applications requesting funds for direct services to the public. The provision of those services shall be broken down into estimated cost per direct service, if possible.
• The KBF will make every effort to distribute IOLTA funds evenly throughout the state.
• Any "experimental" project shall have statewide transferability and be innovative in nature. Applicants funded through this program will be required to provide information to other organizations interested in duplicating their program in other areas.
• Additional consideration will be given to projects that work cooperatively with other grantees within the state.

Applicants must complete the IOLTA Grant Proposal Budget Worksheet.

• Applicants shall indicate all sources of their program’s funding. The Foundation encourages applicants to search for additional sources of project income. Added consideration will be given to such programs.
• If the applicant is reapplying for funding, they will need to indicate how much they received in the last year they received funds. This information will be used for purposes of comparison with their current request.

Please include how your group intends to evaluate the success/effectiveness of your proposed project. The evaluation should include data regarding the number of people assisted and the impact the project or program has had on the public. Some projects will require a written impact statement illustrating how an individual or organization benefited from the assistance.

The Foundation reserves the right to require quarterly reports from IOLTA grant recipients. Consideration will be given to smaller applicants for a midyear and a final report. Single event projects will be exempt from quarterly reporting.

Grant recipients will be required to provide a 200–500-word description of the project, at least two photos (300dpi) and a quote illustrating the impact of the service/project to the public within six months of receiving funds. The KBF may publish this information on its website, in the Kansas Bar Journal or via social media.

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter from the Internal Revenue Service
• Last year’s final report or this year’s quarterly report, if you have received IOLTA funds in 2022.
• A list of board of directors (please indicate officers and any affiliations) with legible contact information.
• Applicant’s current fiscal year budget
• Support letters (limit to 2)
• IOLTA Grant Application Budget Worksheet