The PA IOLTA Board is conducting its grant process to award about $50,000 of grants primarily to help stimulate and facilitate organized pro bono efforts in counties where none currently exist.

To the extent that funds are available, grants may also be awarded to counties with existing organized pro bono programs if they can demonstrate definitive plans to increase pro bono participation, or enhance their programs so they can maintain existing levels of pro bono volunteers.

The PA IOLTA Board encourages collaboration among counties in the submissions of their pro bono proposals. These grants will be awarded on a meritorious basis, and local county financial support will be viewed favorably by the PA IOLTA Board.

The PA IOLTA Board's Pro Bono Incentive Grant Application, 2010 and other materials that may be useful resources for preparing the grant application and planning your program can be found on the IOLTA website at www.paiolta.org. These resources which are located in the "Grants Application" section of the website are:

1. PA Bar Association model pro bono case representation plan; and
2. A description prepared by the America Bar Association of other pro bono activities.

Please note that applications are due to the IOLTA Board by Friday, January 15, 2010, two weeks earlier than last year.

Applicants are encouraged to call upon the expertise that exists within the local legal aid program that is serving your county, or David Trevaskis, Esq., the PA Bar Association Statewide Pro Bono Coordinator, (800) 932-0311 ext. 2236, david.trevaskis@pabar.org, to help you formulate your plans.