Investing in Justice CAMPAIGN 2018 Justice People Deserve, Not Just What They Can Afford
A Message from the Campaign Chair Dear Colleague, As Chicagoans and members of the legal community, one of the traditions we can be most proud of is The Chicago Bar Foundation s Investing in Justice Campaign, the largest campaign of its kind in the United States. This campaign demonstrates our commitment to the principle that all people deserve access to justice, not just justice that they can afford. And there is no better time for all of us to come together to act on that principle than right now. As we launch The Chicago Bar Foundation s 12 th annual Investing in Justice Campaign, I would like to highlight just how vital an investment this campaign is for Chicago s most vulnerable residents low-income men and women, children, those with disabilities, veterans and the elderly who need our help and support to receive the justice they deserve. To members of our Chicago community who lack financial means, proper legal representation can make the difference between shelter and eviction, between medical assistance and suffering, and between gaining legal protection against domestic violence and continuing to face abuse. Thanks to your leadership and support, over the past 11 years, the Investing in Justice Campaign has raised more than $15 million to support CBF grantee organizations. In 2017 alone, the campaign made possible more than $2.1 million in grants, receiving support from more than 5,000 individuals at over 150 participating law firms, corporate legal departments and other organizations. Matching contributions and additional foundation and government funding further enhance the results of the campaign. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of worthy causes to support in this city. You may ask: Why this one? As members of the legal community, we are uniquely positioned to advance the cause of justice. If not us, who will work to help our fellow Chicagoans receive the justice they deserve? I am extremely grateful to all of you who contributed to past campaigns, and I ask now that you help us build on a great tradition and advance the cause of justice by contributing to the campaign once again. This is our opportunity to take meaningful action and to make a difference. Join us, and together we can have an even greater impact in 2018. Sincerely, Rebecca Eisner Chair, Investing in Justice Campaign Partner in Charge, Mayer Brown, Chicago
Your contribution will help: Strengthen Chicago s pro bono and legal aid organizations Enable dedicated lawyers to pursue and remain in careers in legal aid Maximize opportunities for pro bono lawyers to effectively supplement the work of their legal aid counterparts Make the courts more user-friendly and accessible for people in need
If not us, who? Every March, our legal community comes together around our common cause as a legal profession helping to ensure that everyone has access to necessary legal help, not just people who can afford it. Thousands of Chicago-area lawyers and legal professionals contribute to the annual Investing in Justice Campaign to help build the capacity of our overburdened pro bono and legal aid system. Over the past eleven years, our legal community has collectively contributed more than $15 million through the Campaign. 100% of individual contributions directly support pro bono and legal aid organizations and their dedicated lawyers. Thanks to your generosity and the ongoing success of the Campaign, these organizations are able to provide critical legal assistance to tens of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged people in our community each year. If it weren t for people like you, people like me wouldn t have a chance. Client of an organization supported by the Investing in Justice Campaign after her family s home was saved from a wrongful eviction 100% to Pro Bono and Legal Aid Organizations 100% of individual contributions to the Campaign directly support the work of more than 30 pro bono and legal aid organizations, enabling them to provide critical legal assistance to tens of thousands of people in need. 110% Impact In addition to the direct impact of your gift, your investment through the Campaign: Saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in other social services by enabling people to resolve legal problems before they spin out of control Leverages significantly more money from government and other foundations Benefits from the CBF s rigorous grants process, which ensures accountability and strategically allocates funds to maximize impact All contributions qualify for the Illinois Supreme Court s Pro Bono Reporting Rule and are tax-deductible.
About The Chicago Bar Foundation The Chicago Bar Foundation brings the legal community together to improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone. Through grants, advocacy, pro bono, and partnerships, the CBF accomplishes this by: Increasing access to free and affordable legal assistance for people in need Making the courts and legal system more user-friendly, fair and accessible for people without lawyers As the charitable arm of The Chicago Bar Association, the CBF s work is made possible by the generous contributions of thousands of dedicated individuals, more than 200 law firms and corporations, and many other committed partners. The Investing in Justice Campaign is just one of many innovative and impactful CBF programs. To learn more, visit chicagobarfoundation.org. Past Investing in Justice Campaign Chairs 2017 Jesse H. Ruiz, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 2016 Susan Levy, Northern Trust 2015 Brett Hart, United Airlines, Inc. 2014 Patrick Fitzgerald, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 2013 Daniel E. Reidy, Jones Day 2012 Emily Nicklin, Kirkland & Ellis LLP 2011 William A. Von Hoene, Jr., Exelon Corporation 2010 Charles W. Douglas, Sidley Austin LLP 2009 Jeffrey E. Stone, McDermott Will & Emery LLP 2008 Dan K. Webb, Winston & Strawn LLP 2007 Anton R. Valukas, Jenner & Block LLP The Chicago Bar Foundation 321 S Plymouth Court, Suite 3B Chicago, IL 60604 Tel: 312.554.1204 chicagobarfoundation.org
CBF Supported Organizations These organizations benefit directly from the Campaign: Access Living Legal Services Program Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) CARPLS (Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services) Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Legal Assistance Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) Center for Economic Progress Tax Clinic Centro Romero Latin American Legal Assistance Services Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Law Project Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights / The Community Law Project Chicago Legal Clinic (CLC) Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (DVLC) Equip for Equality The Family Defense Center First Defense Legal Aid (FDLA) Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) Indo-American Center Citizenship and Immigration Services James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy LAF Latinos Progresando Immigration Legal Services Lawndale Christian Legal Center Lawyers Committee for Better Housing (LCBH) Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA) Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services (LAS) Legal Council for Health Justice Life Span Center for Legal Services & Advocacy National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) The Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU Children s Initiative Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law Uptown People s Law Center World Relief Chicago Immigrant Legal Services * The Campaign also supports a number of innovative special projects that make the justice system more user-friendly and accessible for people in need. design & printing courtesy of our firm
Investing in Justice Campaign 2018 You can make access to justice a reality for the people who need it most. Yes, I will invest in justice. $1,000 $500 $250 $100 Other $ name address city, state, zip telephone email Please omit my name from published donor acknowledgments. I donated online (chicagobarfoundation.org). Date of contribution: I have enclosed a personal check to The Chicago Bar Foundation. I wish to pay by credit card (Visa/MasterCard/Amex/Discover). name on credit card credit card number expiration date signature The Chicago Bar Foundation 321 S Plymouth Court, Suite 3B Chicago, IL 60604 Tel: 312.554.1204 chicagobarfoundation.org