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

Donate Here




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

Application Form 

The next grant cycle begins in 2025. 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.



2023-2024 Grant Recipients


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:

The Advocates for Human Rights: $2,300

CAIR-Minnesota, Inc: $1,000

Children's Law Center of Minnesota: $4,000

COPAL (Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Accion Latina) (new): $500

CornerHouse: $500

Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center (new): $1,000

Domestic Abuse Project: $1,500

Equal Justice America (new): $500

Gender Justice: $500

Great North Innocence Project (new): $3,000

HOME Line: $1,750

Housing Justice Center: $1,000

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: $1,500

Indian Child Welfare Act Law Center: $1,500

Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul: $500

International Institute of Minnesota: $1,500

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers: $4,000

Legal CORPS: $1,000

The Legal Revolution: $1,000

Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota: $4,500

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans: $1,000

Minnesota Elder Justice Center: $1,500

Minnesota Justice Foundation: $2,000

Mission Inc. Programs: $250

Neighborhood Justice Center: $2,500

Raíces Sagradas Community Mental Health (new): $250

Rainbow Health: $1,500

Restorative Justice Community Action: $1,000

Standpoint: $1,500

The St. Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (SPIP): $5,000

Tubman: $1,500

Volunteer Lawyers Network: $500

Volunteers of America of Minnesota: $1,000

Wanton Injustice Legal Detail (WILD): $1,500

We Resolve (new): $1,000



Law Student Scholarships

The Ramsey County Bar Foundation and the Hennepin County Bar Foundation 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.



Major Fundraising Events

Annual Bench & Bar Benefit

The 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 Tournament

The 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.

 

Erikka Ryan

Director of Equity, Inclusion and Foundations

eryan@mnbars.org
612-278-6321

 


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