About
The Pro Bono Trust Fund, a project of the Dane County Bar Association, provides essential support to non-profit organizations that provide civil legal services for persons who fall below 300% of the federal poverty rate. Its grants go directly to pay the cost of legal services as well as the cost of equipment and materials needed by non-profit organizations to operate effectively and leverage other volunteer or low-cost resources.
The Fund makes grants to non-profit organizations that provide legal services to persons most in need in Dane County. These grants are made possible entirely by contributions from the community.
The DCBA Pro Bono Trust Fund was established by the Dane County Bar Association in 1992 to fund civil legal services for low-income persons in our community. The Pro Bono Trust Fund is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. We appreciate your support for this important work.
Some Dane County organizations the Fund has supported
Some Dane County organizations the Fund has supported
Testimonials
Testimonials
"The services [CJI] devoted to our case provided us with the family unity we have been seeking through adoption. We felt like we were treated as a family. Another lawyer would have been beyond our …budget" and "Thank you for all your help during a very difficult time in my life. You made the process easier even though divorce is hard regardless of the situation."
- Quotes from clients of Community Justice, Inc
"After losing work and seeking unemployment benefits, individuals look to the Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic in Madison for help in getting a fair hearing and presenting their case. Law students and volunteer attorneys meet with these folks and provide guidance and representation regarding the issues at stake in their cases. If not for the generous financial support of the DCBA Pro Bono Trust Fund, this volunteer work would simply not be possible."
- Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic, Inc.
The generous support from the Pro_Bono Trust Fund funded legal internships at ABC for Health that not only helped us to serve our clients but also helped sensitize future lawyers to the legal needs of low income people in Dane County. This quote from a client's letter expresses how we help: "We are so thankful we able find Bobby Peterson and his group of interns at ABC for Health in Madison. ABC was able to in a very efficient way, recoup [from the insurance company] a good portion of out of pocket dollars."
- Public Interest Attorney ABDC for Health Inc
Information About Applying for a Grant
See the documents below for more information about applying for a grant from the DCBA Pro Bono Trust Fund.
Supporting Basic Legal Services to People in Need
To make a financial contribution to help provide legal services to low-income residents of Dane County, please make your check payable to the DCBA Pro Bono Trust Fund and mail to:
- DCBA Pro Bono Trust Fund
- Madison, WI 53701
- Post Office Box 348
You can also donate online by scanning the QR code below or clicking the "Donate Now" button:
The DCBA Pro Bono Trust Fund was established by the Dane County Bar Association in 1992 to fund civil legal services for low-income persons in our community. The Pro Bono Trust Fund is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. We appreciate your support for this important work.
DCBA Trustees
DCBA Trustees
Eileen Dorfman, Vice Chair
CapSpecialty
Scott Thompson
Law Forward
Andrew Lawton, Chair
Coyne, Schultz, Becker & Bauer, S.C.
Michael Rosenberg, Secretary
Community Justice Inc.
Julie Short, Treasurer
Haskins Short & Brindley LLC
Norma Kropp
Madison College