Celebrating 75 Years of the Illinois Bar Foundation
In 1951, a handful of visionary leaders at the Illinois State Bar Association recognized the need for a statewide charitable and philanthropic organization, and so the ISBA Foundation, now referred to as the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), was born.
The Foundation’s mission was to provide aid to deserving members of the Illinois Bar who, due to age or infirmity could no longer provide for their own care or support. Over the last 75 years, the Foundation has since grown and expanded its mission to provide greater access to justice especially for those with limited means. And throughout the life of the IBF, it has been the people and partnerships that have kept it strong and nimble to address needs as they have changed over time.
In the spirit of celebrating our past, we’ve gone into the archives to highlight a few of the noteable milestones that have made the IBF the organization we are today. View the timeline here, and stay tuned to our social media throughout the year for more spotlights on the firms, individuals, and organizations that made us.
Give Back and Get Involved
This year, we have a humble goal of recruiting 75 new or upgraded Champions, and we hope if you’ve been on the fence about joining or upgrading your completed pledge, you’ll help us reach this goal in 2026.
The Champions of the Illinois Bar Foundation are a distinguished group of attorneys and non-attorney Foundation supporters who believe in the value of justice and philanthropy. Champions commit to a pledge payable over ten years, creating sustainable long-term funding for our Access to Justice and Lawyers Care programs throughout the state. Pledges start at $100 per year, or less than $9 per month, and have a measureable impact on the many individuals and organizations around the state we support.
Champions receive special recognition at the ISBA Midyear and Annual Meetings, and in various publications throughout the year, including the Illinois Bar Journal and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. This year, we are excited to host our first-ever Champions Day, celebrating YOU, on Friday, June 12 in conjunction with the ISBA Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Stay tuned for more details!
If you have questions about your pledge status or level, or any questions about signing up or upgrading, please contact Jessie Reeves.
Other Ways to Get Involved
- Donate Today. From individual and corporate contributions to company gift matches and stock transfers, the IBF is a time-tested force for greater good across Illinois.
- Come to an Event. Stay tuned for more info about our next Champions Reception in Central Illinois, and save the date for the event of the year: our 27th Annual Black Tie Gala, honoring Larry R. Rogers, Jr. (Power Rogers LLP) on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Host a Social Media Fundraising Campaign. With a few clicks and a share to your network, you can help us raise funds for the causes most important to you.
- Give Back to One of our Pro Bono Partners. Donate your time and make a difference with one of our grantee organizations, virtually or in-person.
- Visit an Illinois JusticeCorps Site. In 17 judicial circuits serving 28 counties around the state of Illinois, from Chicago to Carbondale, we encourage you to visit our hard-working JusticeCorps Fellows and members to see access to justice in action in your area.
- Join Our Board or Committees. We are always looking for leaders with a passion for giving back to the community.
- Add the IBF to your Estate Plans. The Lincoln Legacy Society was created to honor and recognize individuals who have supported our mission by providing for the IBF in their estate plans.
- Recommend the IBF as a Recipient of Cy Pres Funds. Attorneys, firms, and judges working in the class action and mass tort world can help promote justice for all residents of Illinois by recommending the IBF as a recipient of residual funds remaining after a class action suit’s claimants have been paid.