The Massachusetts Bar Foundation (MBF) administers the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Grant Program, which aims to support civil legal services for low-income individuals and the administration of justice in Massachusetts. The MBF Board of Trustees has established specific funding priorities for the 2025-2026 grant cycle to guide applicants and ensure resources are allocated effectively. While meeting these priorities strengthens an application, it does not guarantee funding.

The primary focus of IOLTA grant funding is civil legal services for low-income clients in Massachusetts. Priority is given to programs that provide direct representation by attorneys and 3:03 certified law students to indigent clients, particularly those in underserved communities, on matters related to basic subsistence needs and legal system access. Programs that offer legal consultation and advice, as well as assistance from paralegals and certified legal advocates under attorney supervision, are also considered. Pro bono involvement is encouraged and can enhance a program’s competitiveness, though the Trustees recognize that certain legal services cannot be effectively provided through pro bono efforts.

The second key funding area is the administration of justice, with priority given to programs that enhance judicial education, improve court effectiveness through mediation and conciliation services, and address systemic issues in the Massachusetts court system. Other eligible initiatives include lawyer-for-the-day programs, non-attorney legal information services supervised by attorneys, and training programs designed to leverage pro bono resources. Competitive training programs must not only provide legal education but also incorporate a mechanism for newly trained professionals to engage in related pro bono services.

Highly competitive programs must demonstrate a well-organized and cost-effective approach, utilize innovative technology to improve service delivery, leverage MBF funding with private bar pro bono involvement and other financial resources, collaborate with existing programs to enhance service availability and avoid duplication, and present models that can attract additional funding and be replicated across the state.

Certain types of programs are considered non-competitive under IOLTA Committee guidelines and are unlikely to receive funding. These include programs focused on criminal or delinquency legal matters, alternative sentencing initiatives, juvenile diversion programs, business legal services, mediation programs unrelated to court cases, free-standing conferences or research, legal education programs without a pro bono component, and government-sponsored or student-run programs.

Applicants can find additional details and application materials on the MBF website at www.massbarfoundation.org/iolta-grants-program. For further inquiries, the MBF Grants Office can be contacted at 617-338-0534.