Use the guidelines below to determine whether your organization is eligible, what materials you will need to prepare, how to submit the application, and how applications will be reviewed.

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 receiving 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 applicant’s IOLTA grant application;
(b) submit timely reports to the Foundation detailing the project’s progress and the expenditure of IOLTA funds; AND
(c) cooperate with data collection and evaluation requests of the Foundation or its authorized 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 interest earned on lawyers’ trust accounts to fund 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:

1. Submission Form: Complete the Grant Application Interest Form below.
2. Completed Application: The application will include questions about the proposed project, including its objectives, activities, timeline, expected outcomes, and funding category.
3. Budget: An operating budget and a detailed program budget outlining all project expenses and funding sources.
4. Supporting Documents: Upload all required supporting documents, including:
   1. IRS Determination Letter
   2. Current Board of Directors Listing
   3. Form 990
   4. 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 does not apply, write N/A.

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

Q: Will my application progress be saved if I leave the page before submitting?
A: It depends on your web browser settings. To avoid losing your work, we recommend drafting your responses in a separate document, then copying and pasting them into the application fields when you are ready to submit.

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 will not 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) improving the administration of justice. When 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.
• The Grant Review Committee will also consider your adherence to the application format and submission guidelines, as well as your responsiveness to follow-up questions.

Q: What is the expected level of available funding for 2027?
A: We anticipate 2027 grant funding will be consistent with 2026 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 application form is 11:59 PM CST on Thursday, September 17, 2026. If you experience unexpected technical difficulties uploading or submitting the application, the Foundation will evaluate requests to submit 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 email info@tnbarfoundation.org with any issues related to accessing or navigating the application submission form. Foundation staff or the Foundation’s representative will respond as quickly as possible.