The Ramsey County Bar Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization. The mission of the foundation is to provide financial support to programs in the Ramsey County geographic area that benefit the legal profession, improve the quality and accessibility of justice, and would otherwise attract the interest and support of Ramsey County lawyers.
Grants are awarded to organizations that:
- Educate all segments of the public in government and the legal system.
- Promote and provide legal services to persons of limited means through grants to legal services providers.
- Improve the administration of justice and the quality and functioning of the legal system.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today and supporting the organizations funded by the Ramsey County Bar Foundation and future lawyers who will make a difference. All contributors will be acknowledged in the Barrister.
If your contribution is in honor or memory of someone, please indicate the name(s) at the time of payment or send an email to eryan@mnbars.org
Board of Directors
Paul D. Peterson – President
Racey Rodne – Treasurer
Cheryl Dalby – Secretary
Kenya Bodden
Robert Devolve
Hon. Victoria Elsmore
Renee Fossen
Hon. Kelly Olmstead
Hon. Jessica Palmer-Denig
Andy Rorvig
Grant Applications
The Bar Foundation considers grants once a year. Submissions for the 2023-2024 grant cycle opens January 8, 2024, and closes February 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
You can also apply for the Minnesota State Bar Foundation and Hennepin County Bar Foundation in the same application in the same open and close dates.
For questions or more information, contact Erikka Ryan at eryan@mnbars.org or 612-278-6321.
2022-2023 Grant Recipients
$2,000
$500
$2,000
$5,000
$4,000
$2,000
$2,000
$500
$1,000
$1,000
$1,500
$1,000
$4,000
$1,000
$4,500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$2,500
$1,000
$1,000
$2,000
$1,750
$1,500
$500
$500
$500
Law Student Scholarships
The Ramsey County Bar Foundation and the Hennepin County Bar Foundation will award scholarships to law students who attend a Minnesota law school and who are members of a group traditionally under-represented in the legal profession (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability). The applicant must be a current law student with a record of academic or professional achievement and must display leadership qualities through past work experience, community involvement or student activities.
In 2023, six local law students received scholarships from the foundation as recommended by the RCBA Diversity Committee.
Major Fundraising Events
Annual Bench & Bar BenefitThe Benefit, held in the fall of each year, is the major fundraiser for the foundation. Half of the money raised at the Benefit is given directly to Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. The other half is awarded in grants to other law-related organizations.
Charity Golf TournamentThe annual RCBF Golf Tournament is also a significant fundraiser for the foundation. More info.
Member Donations
Generous donations from Ramsey County Bar Association members complement the funds raised by the foundation fundraisers.
The mission of the Ramsey County Bar Foundation is to provide financial support to programs in the Ramsey County geographic area that benefit the legal profession, improve the quality and accessibility of justice, and would otherwise attract the interest and support of Ramsey County lawyers.
The following organizations were recipients of grants from the foundation during the past year:
Director of Equity, Inclusion and Foundations
eryan@mnbars.org
612-278-6321
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