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June 11, 2025

Ohio State Bar Foundation Announces $559,000 in Funding for the 2025 Spring Grant Cycle

Columbus, OH (May 2025) – The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) Board of Trustees has approved $559,000 in grants to 9 Ohio nonprofit organizations through its 2025 Spring Grant Cycle.

“These grants are a powerful investment in a more just and accessible legal system,” said Laurie Beth Sweeney, OSBF Executive Director. “From helping students envision legal careers to protecting workers’ rights and honoring trailblazing women in law, our grantees are bringing the law closer to the people it’s meant to serve. OSBF is proud to lead the way in advancing community-driven solutions across Ohio.”

Northeast Region

  • $43,000 to Asian Services in Action (ASIA) for the "Building Community Resilience and Leadership" project to launch a new, research-driven multimedia outreach strategy to improve access to legal education and resources in underserved communities. Serving Summit and Cuyahoga counties.
  • $50,000 to Legal Aid Society of Cleveland for the "Engaging Hard to Reach Populations" project to engage hard-to-reach populations through a data-driven approach that improves access to legal support in high-need, underserved neighborhoods. Serving Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Lake counties.
  • $55,000 to Northeast Ohio Worker Center for the "Bilingual Wage Theft & Immigration Clinic" project to pilot brief immigration legal clinics and expand bilingual “Know Your Rights” workplace education programs to protect vulnerable workers. Serving Cuyahoga County.

Central Region

  • $15,000 to The Refuge for the "Expanding Access To Legal Services" to improve access for individuals in addiction recovery by integrating legal support into intake processes, addressing housing, licensing, and family law issues. Serving Franklin and Fairfield counties.

Southwest Region

  • $50,000 to Pro Seniors for the "Improving Access to Justice for Underserved Older Ohioans" project to improve access to legal resources for older Ohioans, including accessibility audits, new outreach materials, and caregiver-focused supports. Serving Butler, Clermont, and Hamilton counties.

Statewide

  • $50,000 to Ohio Alliance of YMCAs Foundation for their YMCA Ohio Youth & Government program, relaunching a judicial component that engages students in legal research, public speaking, and mock appellate court proceedings. Serving all 88 counties statewide.
  • $123,000 to the Ohio Center for Law Related Education for "Civics Education Programs, Teacher Training & Outreach" project to expand its civics education programming by increasing teacher training and student engagement in underserved communities. Serving all 88 counties statewide.
  • $120,000 to the Ohio Judicial Center Foundation for the "Legacy of Law: Women in Law" project to support the development of the “Women in Law” exhibit, honoring the contributions of Ohio’s female justices and inspiring future generations. Serving all 88 counties statewide
  • $53,000 to Ohio State Bar Associationfor their "Hometown Lawyers Interactive Map" project, highlighting the stories of rural legal professionals through engaging video content to inspire students to pursue legal careers. Serving all 88 counties statewide.

If you’d like to learn more about any of the grantees, connect with one of the organizations directly, or know more about the OSBF’s grantmaking process, contact OSBF’s Grants Manager Michelle Hendricks at MHendricks@OSBF.org. The deadline for the 2025 Fall Grants Cycle is August 15, 2025. Click here for more information or to apply.

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