Q: Is my organization eligible to apply for IOLTA grant funds?

A: The Board of Trustees will NOT make grants for:

• Political campaigns
• Organizations designed primarily for lobbying
• Activities that the local, state, or federal government has an obligation to fund
• The IOLTA program does not fund charitable activities that promote a religion or require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receipt of services. However, grants may be awarded to faith-based organizations for non-religious purposes.

To be eligible for an IOLTA grant, an organization must:

(a) be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended, OR
(b) agree to use the IOLTA grant only for purposes that are charitable or educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended; AND
(c) be an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, marital status, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

If awarded a grant, successful applicants will be required to:
(a) execute and comply with the terms of the Grant Agreement, including performance of the project as described in the applicants IOLTA grant application;
(b) agree that the successful grant application will be available for public inspection;
(c) submit timely reports to the Foundation detailing the project's progress and the expenditure of IOLTA funds; AND
(d) cooperate with data collection and evaluation requests of the Foundation or its representatives.

Q: How are IOLTA grant awards funded?
A: The Tennessee Supreme Court established the IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) program in 1984, enabling the interest earned on trust accounts to make grants to law-related Tennessee organizations that provide legal services to the poor, improve the administration of justice, and support scholarships at state-supported law schools. This critical program is a key component of access to justice.

Q: What is included in the application?
A: The application is fully online. The application includes the following components: 

• Submission Form: Click the link below and complete the 2026 IOLTA Application Interest Form.
• Completed Application: The application will include questions related to the proposed project. Questions include detailed description of the proposed project, including its objectives, activities, timeline, and expected outcomes. Clearly indicate which funding category your project aligns with.
• Budget: An operating budget and a detailed program budget outlining all project expenses and funding sources.
• Supporting Documents: Upload all required supporting documents, including:
  • IRS Determination Letter
  • Form 990
  • Most recent audit or financial review (depending on the size of the organization)

Please fully answer all questions including narrative questions. Answer each question as if the reader is unfamiliar with your organization and avoid referring to answers from other questions. If a question doesn't apply, write "N/A."

 

Q: How do I submit my application?
A: To begin the application process, please submit an interest form using the link at the bottom of this page. After we receive your interest form, you'll get an email with a link to our full grant application form and further instructions. Unless otherwise instructed, grant submissions should be completed using the submission form.

Q: Will my application progress be saved if I leave the page before submitting?
A: Generally, that depends on the settings of your web browser. To avoid any potential issues, we recommend drafting your responses in a separate document and then copying and pasting them into the application fields once you’re ready to submit. This will ensure your work is not lost if you have to leave the application before you’re ready to submit your form.

Q: Are there any character or word limits for the narrative answers?
A: Yes, each narrative question has a specific word limit, which is noted directly on the application form. Although the form won't automatically track your word count, we ask that you observe these limits as closely as possible.

 

Q: How will my application be evaluated? Are there specific factors the Grant Review Committee will consider when evaluating my application?
A: The Tennessee Supreme court approved the use of IOLTA funds for three purposes: (1) the delivery of legal services to the poor, (2) student loans or grants to deserving law students, and (3) to improve the administration of justice. When the applications are evaluated, the Grant Review Committee will ensure that the requested funds meet one of these three purposes. Additionally, the committee will assess several factors, including:

• The clarity and quality of your narrative responses.
• Your organization's track record of success in the relevant field.
• The overall sustainability and diversity of your funding plan.

Your adherence to the application format, submission guidelines, and responsiveness to follow-up questions from the Grant Review Committee.

Q: What is the expected grant amount for 2026?
A: We anticipate funding being consistent with 2025 funding levels. Please keep this in mind when determining your grant request amount.

Q: Is there a deadline for submitting the grant application?
A: Yes, the deadline for submitting your grant application through the grant management portal is 11:59 PM CST on Monday, September 29, 2025. If you experience unexpected technical difficulties with uploading or submitting the application, the Foundation will evaluate and consider requests to submit an application after the deadline on an individual basis. Please make every effort to address your questions ahead of the deadline.

Q: What if I have any issues or questions regarding the grant management portal?
A: Please send an email to info@tnbarfoundation.org for any issues related to accessing and navigating the application submission form. Foundation staff or the Foundation’s representative will get in touch with you as quickly as possible.