Justice Foundation
of West Michigan |
 |
A Legacy of Justice in West Michigan
The Justice Foundation of West Michigan (formerly the Grand Rapids Bar Foundation) was established in 1978 as a 501(c)(3) organization to receive tax-deductible contributions for the support of the Grand Rapids Bar Association's (GRBA) law library.
Today, under the leadership of the Grand Rapids Bar Association Board of Trustees and its Foundation Committee, the Justice Foundation serves the community, funding legal and law related program and initiatives.
Justice Foundation grants open doors to justice by:
- helping people, particularly those with low incomes, resolve disputes through legal channels.
- helping people better understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
- preventing peoples' legal disputes from spiraling into crises that threaten their families, their health, and their livelihoods.
- improving justice in our court system by increasing the skills and abilities of attorneys, judges, and other court personnel.
- educating people about the justice system and core democratic values.
Since 1991, the Foundation has made 25 grants totaling over $200,000 to local organizations and initiatives.
How you can open doors to justice
Cash Gifts
Most gifts to the Justice Foundation are outright cash donations. These include memorial or honorary contributions that recognize esteemed colleagues or loved ones. You may also choose to provide regular support by becoming a Justice Foundation Fellow, making convenient, automatic gifts through a debit or credit card.
If you wish to make a cash gift to the Justice Foundation, please fill out the following form and return it to the Grand Rapids Bar Association with your payment or pledge:
Justice Foundation Gift Form
Bequests In Your Will
One of the simplest ways of making a gift to the Justice Foundation is through your will. You can name the Foundation the direct beneficiary of specific assets, or a portion of your estate. Bequests to the Justice Foundation are free from federal estate taxes and can therefore offer substantial estate tax savings.
Gifts of Stock
A gift of stock that has increased in value over a number of years can be particularly tax-wise. By gifting the stock to the Justice Foundation, you avoid capital gains tax on the gain. In addition, your charitable contribution deduction is equal to the full market value of the stock.
Life Income Gifts
Charitable life income arrangements can allow you to increase your income, receive a charitable deduction, avoid capital gains tax, and support the Justice Foundation. A charitable gift annuity, deferred gift annuity, or charitable remainder trust are some of the most common gift-giving techniques that provide the donor with an income for life.
Life Insurance
You can name the Justice Foundation as a beneficiary and owner of an old or new policy. You may receive an immediate income tax deduction for the gift's value, plus possible estate tax savings.
Retirement Plans
You can name the Justice Foundation as a beneficiary on your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Keogh Plan, 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified retirement plan. You can name the Justice Foundation as the direct beneficiary of all or any part of your retirement account. The proceeds of these plans are distributed entirely outside of probate and are entirely free from federal estate tax.
Grant Application
The Justice Foundation of West Michigan regularly considers applications from various organizations seeking grants for worthy projects. The Foundation requires that all such grant applications demonstrate that the project in question advances the goals of the Justice Foundation.
If your organization would like to apply to the Justice Foundation for a grant, please download and fill out the following grant application:
Justice Foundation Grant Application
|
