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    Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    FALLS CHURCH, VAWebsite2028428881

    About Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation

    The Barbara McDowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation concentrates its giving on legal advocacy and systems-change organizations that defend civil and human rights—especially for immigrants, youth, and people impacted by the criminal legal system. Grants are heavily directed to public interest law firms and litigation-centered nonprofits, with a smaller share to donor-advised fund vehicles. The foundation favors national and regional organizations that use strategic litigation, policy advocacy, and systemic reform to secure long-term protections for vulnerable populations.

    Focus Areas

    Immigrant rights and litigation (e.g., Immigrant Defense Project, Northwest Immigrant Rights)Youth-focused public interest litigation and child-welfare reform (e.g., National Center for Youth Law, A Better Childhood)Criminal justice reform and defense of incarcerated people (e.g., Rights Behind Bars, Texas Fair Defense Project)Public interest law firms and impact litigation (e.g., Upper Seven Law, National Immigration Litigation Alliance)Climate youth litigation (e.g., Our Children’s Trust)

    Who They Fund

    immigrants and noncitizens (including those targeted by criminal-immigration enforcement)

    About Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation

    The Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation Inc uses litigation grants to support systemic social-justice cases in the United States. Its recent grants show a clear preference for public-interest law organizations working on immigrants’ rights, child welfare, disability rights, criminal legal defense, and climate-related youth litigation. The foundation’s program design is narrow: it funds attorney fees and litigation expenses for specific cases, not individual claims, general operating support, or non-litigation programs. Recent awards highlight that pattern. Northwest Immigrant Rights Project received $50,000 for immigrant legal services and advocacy, while National Center for Youth Law also received $50,000 for work transforming public agencies serving low-income children. Other grants went to litigation-focused groups such as Immigrant Defense Project, A Better Childhood, Rights Behind Bars, and Our Children’s Trust, each tied to court-based advocacy in the foundation’s focus areas. The funder’s portfolio also includes donor-advised fund activity through Daf Giving 360, but the dominant thread in the grant record is support for organizations that use lawsuits and appellate work to challenge systems affecting vulnerable populations.

    What Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation Funds

    Immigrant rights is a central area of support. The foundation gave $50,000 to Immigrant Defense Project for defending immigrants facing mass imprisonment and deportation, and $50,000 to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project for direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education. Child welfare and youth litigation is another clear focus. National Center for Youth Law received $50,000 to transform the public agencies that serve low-income children, and A Better Childhood received $25,000 for using the courts to reform dysfunctional child welfare systems. The foundation also backs criminal legal defense and disability rights. Uptown People’s Law Center received $50,000, Texas Fair Defense Project received $25,000, and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law received $50,000 for civil rights, inclusion, and equality for people with mental disabilities. Climate youth litigation appears as well: Our Children’s Trust received $25,000 for strategic legal services to secure youth rights to a safe climate.

    How Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation Gives

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $685K

    Total Assets

    $0

    Total Revenue

    $121K

    Total Expenses

    $754K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $25K and $50K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $25K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $50K

    Geographic Reach

    National9 states funded

    About 0% of grants go to recipients in MT.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Deep Analysis

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    EIN: 27-0411226
    4 filings on record
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people
    low-income children and youth (including emerging adults)
    people with mental and physical disabilities seeking benefits
    people experiencing homelessness and tenants facing eviction
    low-income communities seeking access to justice
    charitable donors (users of donor-advised funds)

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated, grant-size pattern: one very large gift routed through a donor-advised fund vehicle plus multiple mid-sized ($25k–$50k) grants to national/regional legal advocacy groups. The foundation favors repeat and relationship grants to litigation-focused nonprofits and prioritizes organizations using strategic, systemic approaches rather than basic service delivery.

    Funding Style

    direct legal servicessystems-change through strategic litigation and policy advocacycapacity building for legal providers (training & pro bono support)philanthropic infrastructure (donor-advised fund / tax-smart giving)

    Notable grantees: DAF Giving 360, Immigrant Defense Project, National Center for Youth Law, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Rights Behind Bars

    Topics

    immigrant defense and due-process for noncitizenscriminal justice reform and incarcerated persons' rightschild welfare reform and youth outcomesaccess to civil legal services (appellate & affirmative litigation)tenant/housing stability and homelessness preventiondisability rights and Social Security disability access

    Typical grants cluster tightly around the foundation’s standard awards: p25 of $25,000, a median of $25,000, and p75 of $50,000. The recent record shows a mix of repeated and one-time support. A Better Childhood and Upper Seven Law each appear more than once across 2024 and 2025, while several other recipients appear once. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund vehicle, and it operates a litigation-grants program that accepts unsolicited applications. It funds specific cases and litigation expenses, not individual claims or general operating support. The recent grants also include one large DAF-related payment to Daf Giving 360, alongside the core litigation awards.

    Where Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation Makes Grants

    Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based in the recent record, with 17 grants and 100% in the United States. Montana stands out as the top state by grant count because Upper Seven Law in Helena appears multiple times, making Helena one of the most repeated recipient cities. Other recipient cities include New York, Austin, Washington, Seattle, Oakland, Chicago, Brookline, Eugene, and Omaha. The pattern is national rather than local to the foundation’s Virginia headquarters: 0% of grants went to recipients in Virginia. The geography follows the foundation’s litigation focus, with awards spread across states where recipient organizations carry out national or multi-state advocacy.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation

    What kinds of litigation does this foundation support?

    It supports systemic social-justice litigation in the United States, with focus areas including children’s rights, disability rights, anti-discrimination, due process, and immigration or refugee rights. The grant program pays attorney fees and litigation expenses for specific cases.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. The Litigation Grants program is listed as accepting unsolicited applications, and it is competitive. It is designed for specific cases rather than individual claims or general operating support.

    What is a typical grant size?

    The recent grant distribution is centered on $25,000 to $50,000 awards, with p25 at $25,000, a median of $25,000, and p75 at $50,000. That matches the stated litigation-grants program range of $25,000 to $50,000.

    Which issue areas appear most often in recent grants?

    Immigrant rights, child welfare reform, criminal justice reform, disability rights, and youth-focused impact litigation appear repeatedly. Examples include grants to Immigrant Defense Project, National Center for Youth Law, Rights Behind Bars, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and Our Children’s Trust.

    Is the giving local to Virginia?

    No. The recent grants show 0% to recipients in Virginia, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. The top state by grant count is Montana, reflecting repeated awards to Helena-based Upper Seven Law.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Barbara Mcdowell and Gerald S Hartman Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses Aug 1, 2026Award: $25K – $50K

    Barbara McDowell & Gerald S. Hartman Foundation — Litigation Grants

    Children's rightsDisability rightsAnti‑discrimination+9 more

    Who can apply: Open to U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations only. Applicants must be legal organizations litigating social‑justice cases in the Foundation's issue areas. Individuals are excluded; criminal cases and amicus briefs are excluded. Cases must be filed (or be appealable) within the Foundation's defined timeframe for the cycle (example: cases filed after Oct 1, 2025 for the 2026 cycle).

    Deadline: Annual cycle (not rolling). Example 2026: LOI window June 1–15; invited full proposals due August 1. Exact dates vary by year and are posted on the Foundation's website.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    DAF GIVING 360OMAHA, NE$672,5092025Our mission is to increase charitable giving in the U.S. We do this by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution of a donor-advised fund (DAF) account and related philanthropic tools and guidance that empower donors to incorporate planning into their everyday lives.
    UPPER SEVEN LAWHELENA, MT$25,0002025Upper Seven Law is a 501(c)(3) Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. Based on the belief that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.
    OUR CHILDREN'S TRUSTEUGENE, OR$25,0002025Our Childrens Trust is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides strategic, campaign-based legal services to youth from diverse backgrounds to secure their legal rights to a safe climate. We work to protect the Earths climate system for present and future generations by representing young people in global legal efforts to secure their binding and enforceable legal rights to a healthy atmosphere and stable climate, based on the best available science.We support our youth clients and amplify their voices before the third branch of government in a highly strategic legal campaign that includes targeted media, education, and public engagement work to support the youths legal actions. Our legal work guided by constitutional, public trust, human rights laws and the laws of nature aims to ensure systemic and science-based climate recovery planning and remedies at federal, state, and global levels.
    A BETTER CHILDHOODNEW YORK, NY$25,0002025Abc fights for children who are abused, neglected, and irreversibly damaged while dependent on child welfare systems.
    CENTER FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONHELENA, MT$25,0002025Upper Seven Law is a 501(c)(3) Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. Based on the belief that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.
    NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LITIGATION ALLBROOKLINE, MA$25,0002025NILA is dedicated to championing the rights of noncitizens, or those perceived to be noncitizens, and to elevating the capacity and quality of the lawyers who represent them. Our team has more than 50 years of collective experience in litigation on behalf of immigrants rights, including national and regional class actions, petitions for review, habeas actions, mandamus suits, damages litigation, and litigation under the Freedom of Information Act and the Administrative Procedures Act.
    DAF GIVING 360OMAHA, NE$12,7712025Our mission is to increase charitable giving in the U.S. We do this by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution of a donor-advised fund (DAF) account and related philanthropic tools and guidance that empower donors to incorporate planning into their everyday lives.
    LONE STAR JUSTICE ALLIANCEAUSTIN, TX$25,0002024To boldly address systemic failures in the justice system through advocacy and innovative evidence-based programs that improve life outcomes for youth and emerging adults.
    UPPER SEVEN LAWHELENA, MT$25,0002024Upper Seven Law is a 501(c)(3) Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. Based on the belief that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.
    A BETTER CHILDHOODNEW YORK, NY$25,0002024A Better Childhood is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that uses the courts to reform dysfunctional child welfare systems around the country.
    TEXAS FAIR DEFENSE PROJECTAUSTIN, TX$25,0002024IMPROVE THE FAIRNESS OF TEXAS'S CRIMINAL COURTS AND ENSURE THAT ALL TEXANS HAVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE.
    RIGHTS BEHIND BARSWASHINGTON, DC$25,0002024Appellate AdvocacyRights Behind Bars tracks conditions litigation and offers representation or other aid to uncounseled clients or small firm lawyers on appeal. Once on appeal, we often partner with pro bono appellate specialists or civil rights groups. Through our intervention, we make the strongest possible case to win on behalf of our immediate clients. Our interventions also establish strong case law that sends the message to prisons and jails that they are not above the law and will ultimately be held accountable for failing to treat incarcerated individuals with the dignity the law requires.Affirmative LitigationApproach trial litigation through a movement lawyering framework. This means that litigation is just one tool, among many, that are used to achieve the goals of the clients and movements served. Innovative trial litigation with public advocacy, education, media and organizing strategies are paired to ensure that our work has a broader and more sustainable scope than what
    BAZELON CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH LAWASHINGTON, DC$50,0002023Advocate for the civil rights, full inclusion, and equality of adults and children with mental disabilities.
    NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAWOAKLAND, CA$50,0002023The National Center for Youth Law is a non-profit law firm that helps low-income children achieve their potential by transforming the public agencies that serve them.
    UPTOWN PEOPLE'S LAW CENTERCHICAGO, IL$50,0002023Uptown People's Law Center has been dedicated to supporting the struggle of poor and working people. We believe that everyone has fundamental human rights which deserve protection, including people in prison, people experiencing homelessness, people who are disabled, and tenants. We are lawyers and community advocates who work on behalf of: Prisoners denied their basic human rightsTenants facing evictionIndividuals seeking Social Security disability incomeIn addition to brief service and legal representation, our staff provides training to community members and organizations, and recruits and supervises pro bono attorneys to assist our clients.
    IMMIGRANT DEFENSE PROJECTNEW YORK, NY$50,0002023The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) was founded over 20 years ago to combat an emerging human rights crisis: the targeting of immigrants for mass imprisonment and deportation.As this crisis has continued to escalate, IDP has remained steadfast in fighting for fairness and justice for all immigrants caught at the intersection of the racially biased U.S. criminal and immigration systems. IDP fights to end the current era of unprecedented mass criminalization, detention and deportation through a multipronged strategy including advocacy, litigation, legal advice and training, community defense, grassroots alliances, and strategic communications.
    NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTSSEATTLE, WA$50,0002023Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.

    DAF GIVING 360

    $672,509
    OMAHA, NE2025

    Our mission is to increase charitable giving in the U.S. We do this by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution of a donor-advised fund (DAF) account and related philanthropic tools and guidance that empower donors to incorporate planning into their everyday lives.

    UPPER SEVEN LAW

    $25,000
    HELENA, MT2025

    Upper Seven Law is a 501(c)(3) Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. Based on the belief that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.

    OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST

    $25,000
    EUGENE, OR2025

    Our Childrens Trust is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides strategic, campaign-based legal services to youth from diverse backgrounds to secure their legal rights to a safe climate. We work to protect the Earths climate system for present and future generations by representing young people in global legal efforts to secure their binding and enforceable legal rights to a healthy atmosphere and stable climate, based on the best available science.We support our youth clients and amplify their voices before the third branch of government in a highly strategic legal campaign that includes targeted media, education, and public engagement work to support the youths legal actions. Our legal work guided by constitutional, public trust, human rights laws and the laws of nature aims to ensure systemic and science-based climate recovery planning and remedies at federal, state, and global levels.

    A BETTER CHILDHOOD

    $25,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    Abc fights for children who are abused, neglected, and irreversibly damaged while dependent on child welfare systems.

    CENTER FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATION

    $25,000
    HELENA, MT2025

    Upper Seven Law is a 501(c)(3) Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. Based on the belief that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.

    NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LITIGATION ALL

    $25,000
    BROOKLINE, MA2025

    NILA is dedicated to championing the rights of noncitizens, or those perceived to be noncitizens, and to elevating the capacity and quality of the lawyers who represent them. Our team has more than 50 years of collective experience in litigation on behalf of immigrants rights, including national and regional class actions, petitions for review, habeas actions, mandamus suits, damages litigation, and litigation under the Freedom of Information Act and the Administrative Procedures Act.

    DAF GIVING 360

    $12,771
    OMAHA, NE2025

    Our mission is to increase charitable giving in the U.S. We do this by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution of a donor-advised fund (DAF) account and related philanthropic tools and guidance that empower donors to incorporate planning into their everyday lives.

    LONE STAR JUSTICE ALLIANCE

    $25,000
    AUSTIN, TX2024

    To boldly address systemic failures in the justice system through advocacy and innovative evidence-based programs that improve life outcomes for youth and emerging adults.

    UPPER SEVEN LAW

    $25,000
    HELENA, MT2024

    Upper Seven Law is a 501(c)(3) Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. Based on the belief that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.

    A BETTER CHILDHOOD

    $25,000
    NEW YORK, NY2024

    A Better Childhood is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that uses the courts to reform dysfunctional child welfare systems around the country.

    TEXAS FAIR DEFENSE PROJECT

    $25,000
    AUSTIN, TX2024

    IMPROVE THE FAIRNESS OF TEXAS'S CRIMINAL COURTS AND ENSURE THAT ALL TEXANS HAVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE.

    RIGHTS BEHIND BARS

    $25,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2024

    Appellate AdvocacyRights Behind Bars tracks conditions litigation and offers representation or other aid to uncounseled clients or small firm lawyers on appeal. Once on appeal, we often partner with pro bono appellate specialists or civil rights groups. Through our intervention, we make the strongest possible case to win on behalf of our immediate clients. Our interventions also establish strong case law that sends the message to prisons and jails that they are not above the law and will ultimately be held accountable for failing to treat incarcerated individuals with the dignity the law requires.Affirmative LitigationApproach trial litigation through a movement lawyering framework. This means that litigation is just one tool, among many, that are used to achieve the goals of the clients and movements served. Innovative trial litigation with public advocacy, education, media and organizing strategies are paired to ensure that our work has a broader and more sustainable scope than what

    BAZELON CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH LA

    $50,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2023

    Advocate for the civil rights, full inclusion, and equality of adults and children with mental disabilities.

    NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAW

    $50,000
    OAKLAND, CA2023

    The National Center for Youth Law is a non-profit law firm that helps low-income children achieve their potential by transforming the public agencies that serve them.

    UPTOWN PEOPLE'S LAW CENTER

    $50,000
    CHICAGO, IL2023

    Uptown People's Law Center has been dedicated to supporting the struggle of poor and working people. We believe that everyone has fundamental human rights which deserve protection, including people in prison, people experiencing homelessness, people who are disabled, and tenants. We are lawyers and community advocates who work on behalf of: Prisoners denied their basic human rightsTenants facing evictionIndividuals seeking Social Security disability incomeIn addition to brief service and legal representation, our staff provides training to community members and organizations, and recruits and supervises pro bono attorneys to assist our clients.

    IMMIGRANT DEFENSE PROJECT

    $50,000
    NEW YORK, NY2023

    The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) was founded over 20 years ago to combat an emerging human rights crisis: the targeting of immigrants for mass imprisonment and deportation.As this crisis has continued to escalate, IDP has remained steadfast in fighting for fairness and justice for all immigrants caught at the intersection of the racially biased U.S. criminal and immigration systems. IDP fights to end the current era of unprecedented mass criminalization, detention and deportation through a multipronged strategy including advocacy, litigation, legal advice and training, community defense, grassroots alliances, and strategic communications.

    NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

    $50,000
    SEATTLE, WA2023

    Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.