The Champions Program
The Champions of the Illinois Bar Foundation
The Champions of the Illinois Bar Foundation (formerly known a the Fellows 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.
Becoming a Champion
It’s easy to pledge your support and further the work of the Illinois Bar Foundation. Select your membership level and you can choose to be billed annually or enroll in automatic annual, quarterly, or monthly payments. Champions receive special recognition at ISBA Annual & Midyear Meetings and Champions badges that can be used to display your Champions level on your website or email signature, as well as ongoing recognition on our website, social media, and in publications such as the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois Lawyer Now, and the Illinois Bar Journal.
Contributions from our Champions make a direct impact on the lives of those we serve in communities around Illinois. Champions may also opt to restrict their pledge for the appellate district of their choice, allowing their contributions to stay close to home and help neighbors in need.
Champion Membership Levels
10 Year Commitment
| Bronze Champion | $100 per year |
| Silver Champion | $200 per year |
| Gold Champion | $500 per year |
| Diamond Champion | $1,000 per year |
| Platinum Champion | $1,500 per year |
| Pillar of the Foundation | $2,500 per year |
Already a Champion?
Champion pledges can be upgraded at any time, and the amount already paid toward your existing pledge applies to your upgraded level, making an upgrade less costly but more impactful for those in need.
Questions about your current giving level? Contact Jessie Reeves at jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org or 312-920-4681.
Upgrade Your Champion MembershipChampion Leadership
2022-2023 Officers of the Champions
Past Chairs & Award Recipients
Past Chairs
Since its inception in 1983, the Chairs of the Champions have demonstrated strong leadership of the program and the Illinois Bar Foundation. We appreciate the invaluable contributions of all of our Past Chairs.
View Past Chairs
Champion Award Honorees
The Illinois Bar Foundation is proud to present awards to esteemed members of our legal community at our annual Champions Breakfast (formerly known as the Fellows Breakfast). The Honorary Champion Award is presented to attorneys of singular distinction whose professional and public careers set an example to which others aspire. The Distinguished Service to Law & Society Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the legal community, including support the work of the Illinois Bar Foundation.
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Champion Reception Honorees
The Illinois Bar Foundation is proud to host periodic Champion Receptions (formerly known as the Fellows Receptions), honoring attorneys around the state who embody the mission of the Illinois Bar Foundation through their leadership and dedication to the legal community.
Interested in nominating an attorney to be honored at a Champion Reception? Email IBFinfo@illinoisbarfoundation.org.
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