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    5. Connecticut Bar Foundation
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    Connecticut Bar Foundation

    ActiveCrime & Legal-Related
    HARTFORD, CTWebsite8607222494

    About Connecticut Bar Foundation

    CBF is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating system change that advances civil justice for all, regardless of power or resources, to achieve a more just and equitable society. CBF advances civil justice by stewarding funding, volunteers, programming, data, innovation, and collaboration to lead and partner in integrated approaches to improving the administration of civil justice.

    Focus Areas

    Civil legal aid for low-income residentsHousing and eviction preventionDomestic violence and protective ordersImmigration and services for unaccompanied childrenChildren's legal servicesVeterans legal servicesLaw school scholarships and legal educationSystem-level access to justice initiatives

    Who They Fund

    law students (scholarship recipients)individuals seeking civil legal aid/clients of legal services

    About Connecticut Bar Foundation

    Connecticut Bar Foundation directs most of its grantmaking toward civil legal aid providers that serve low-income Connecticut residents, with the largest recent awards going to Connecticut Legal Services, New Haven Legal Assistance, and Greater Hartford Legal Aid. The foundation’s funding is tied to access to justice work across the state, including operating support for legal service organizations, right-to-counsel efforts, and programs that help people facing housing instability, domestic violence, and other civil legal problems. Its recent awards show sustained support for core legal aid infrastructure rather than isolated projects. Connecticut Legal Services received more than $11.3 million in 2025, while New Haven Legal Assistance and Greater Hartford Legal Aid each received multi-million-dollar grants across multiple years. The foundation also supports organizations focused on children, veterans, fair housing, and legal rights advocacy, including the Center for Children's Advocacy, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, and Connecticut Legal Rights Project. The foundation’s program structure includes annual legal services grants, the Right to Counsel initiative, and state-administered programs for temporary restraining orders and eviction defense. It also supports scholarships and specialized funds connected to legal education, reentry, and post-exoneration assistance.

    What Connecticut Bar Foundation Funds

    Civil legal aid is the clearest throughline in Connecticut Bar Foundation’s giving. In 2025, it granted $860,754 to the Center for Children's Advocacy in Hartford to provide legal services, and $823,549 to Connecticut Veterans Legal Center in West Haven for the same purpose. These awards sit alongside larger operating grants for statewide legal aid organizations that handle representation and brief legal assistance. Housing and eviction prevention are another major focus. The foundation gave $281,490 to Connecticut Fair Housing Center in Hartford in 2025 to provide legal services, and it supported Open Communities Alliance in Hartford with $125,135 for legal services. The grant list also shows continued backing for tenant-related work through programs connected to Right to Counsel. Children’s legal services and disability-related advocacy appear as well. The Children’s Law Center of Connecticut in Hartford received $295,382 in 2025, while Connecticut Legal Rights Project in Middletown received $794,441 in 2025 for legal services.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $26.3M

    Total Assets

    $54.7M

    Total Revenue

    $43.3M

    Total Expenses

    $28.3M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $71K and $772K, with a median of $385K.

    25th Percentile

    $71K

    Median

    $385K

    75th Percentile

    $772K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    BRUCE HILTUNEN STARTED MAY 23

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 06-6079763Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $54.7M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    people reentering community after incarceration

    Funding Style

    direct service fundingscholarships/education supporttargeted awards for reentry

    Topics

    civil legal servicesbrief legal assistance/limited-scope representationlegal education scholarships (law students)reentry legal support for people returning from incarceration

    How Connecticut Bar Foundation Gives

    Connecticut Bar Foundation’s typical grant sizes are broad: the 25th percentile is $70,726, the median is $385,482, and the 75th percentile is $771,714. The recent grant list also shows repeated awards to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025, especially Connecticut Legal Services, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, and New Haven Legal Assistance, which points to recurring operating support rather than one-time funding. The foundation’s structure is closely tied to legal aid programs and administered funds, including IICJ Legal Services Grants, Right to Counsel initiatives, the Connecticut Innocence Fund, and a law school scholarship program. It accepts unsolicited applications for some core grant programs, including IICJ Legal Services Grants and the related Right to Counsel initiative.

    Where Connecticut Bar Foundation Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is fully concentrated in Connecticut: 100% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. The most frequent recipient cities in the recent grants list are Middletown, New Haven, Hartford, Wethersfield, and West Haven. Middletown appears in awards to Connecticut Legal Services and Connecticut Legal Rights Project, while Hartford appears repeatedly through Center for Children's Advocacy, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, and Open Communities Alliance. The distribution reflects statewide legal aid coverage rather than a single-city focus.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Bar Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does Connecticut Bar Foundation fund most often?

    It funds civil legal aid and access-to-justice organizations serving low-income Connecticut residents. Recent grants went to Connecticut Legal Services, New Haven Legal Assistance, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Statewide Legal Services, and other providers working on housing, domestic violence, children’s legal services, veterans’ legal services, and fair housing.

    Does Connecticut Bar Foundation fund only one-time projects or ongoing work?

    The pattern is mostly recurring support. The same organizations appear in multiple years: Connecticut Legal Services received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Greater Hartford Legal Aid and New Haven Legal Assistance also appear across those years; Statewide Legal Services and Connecticut Veterans Legal Center recur as well.

    What is a typical grant size?

    The grant-size distribution is wide. The 25th percentile is $70,726, the median is $385,482, and the 75th percentile is $771,714. Recent awards range from small six-figure grants to multi-million-dollar operating grants.

    Can organizations apply unsolicited?

    Yes for some programs. The IICJ Legal Services Grants program accepts unsolicited applications, and the related Right to Counsel initiative also accepts unsolicited applications. Other administered funds and state-funded programs in the data are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.

    Where does the foundation give geographically?

    Its giving is fully local to Connecticut. The data shows 100% of grants go to recipients in CT, with recent recipient cities including Middletown, New Haven, Hartford, Wethersfield, and West Haven.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

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

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Connecticut Bar Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Opening soonCloses Sep 14, 2026Award: Up to $24.5M

    IICJ Legal Services Grants (IOLTA/IOTA; CFGIA; JBGIA)

    civil legal aidaccess to justicehousing+3 more

    Who can apply: Nonstock nonprofit corporation tax exempt under 501(a) and 501(c)(3); principal purpose is delivery of legal services to the poor in Connecticut; certified financial statements for the three preceding years with an appointed independent certified auditing firm; registered with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. New organizations must complete a questionnaire to determine eligibility.

    Deadline: New applicant inquiries must be received by June 30 for the upcoming cycle. 2027 application opens Monday August 24, 2026 and is due Monday September 14, 2026.

    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
    CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICESMIDDLETOWN, CT$11,341,8432025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCENEW HAVEN, CT$5,519,8382025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    GREATER HARTFORD LEGAL AIDHARTFORD, CT$5,048,7692025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICESWETHERSFIELD, CT$916,3492025TO PROVIDE BRIEF LEG
    CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACYHARTFORD, CT$860,7542025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT VETERANS LEGAL CENTERWEST HAVEN, CT$823,5492025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECTMIDDLETOWN, CT$794,4412025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUTHARTFORD, CT$295,3822025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTERHARTFORD, CT$281,4902025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICAHARTFORD, CT$161,7042025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCEHARTFORD, CT$125,1352025TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF LAWHARTFORD, CT$90,0002025SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW
    INTEGRATED REFUGE & IMMIGRANT SERVINEW HAVEN, CT$11,0242025—
    CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICESMIDDLETOWN, CT$9,618,4062024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    GREATER HARTFORD LEGAL AIDHARTFORD, CT$5,087,9782024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCENEW HAVEN, CT$4,106,5372024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACYHARTFORD, CT$779,7262024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECTMIDDLETOWN, CT$669,0252024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT VETERANS LEGAL CENTERWEST HAVEN, CT$570,3322024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICESWETHERSFIELD, CT$522,2712024TO PROVIDE BRIEF LEG
    THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUTHARTFORD, CT$248,6942024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTERHARTFORD, CT$246,2662024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCEHARTFORD, CT$105,4492024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    INTEGRATED REFUGE & IMMIGRANT SERVINEW HAVEN, CT$75,0002024—
    LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICAHARTFORD, CT$57,9062024TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTIONHARTFORD, CT$18,2502024CIF REENTRY AWARD
    QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAWNORTH HAVEN, CT$10,0002024SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW
    UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF LAWHARTFORD, CT$10,0002024SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW
    YALE LAW SCHOOLNEW HAVEN, CT$10,0002024SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW
    CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICESMIDDLETOWN, CT$9,419,2282023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    GREATER HARTFORD LEGAL AIDHARTFORD, CT$4,935,8992023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCENEW HAVEN, CT$4,088,8492023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICESWETHERSFIELD, CT$769,0432023TO PROVIDE BRIEF LEG
    CONNECTICUT VETERANS LEGAL CENTERWEST HAVEN, CT$690,5242023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACYHARTFORD, CT$580,5442023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECTMIDDLETOWN, CT$550,6752023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUTHARTFORD, CT$202,0642023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTERHARTFORD, CT$151,3872023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCEHARTFORD, CT$97,5502023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICAHARTFORD, CT$51,1302023TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER
    INTEGRATED REFUGE & IMMIGRANT SERVINEW HAVEN, CT$37,5002023—

    CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES

    $11,341,843
    MIDDLETOWN, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE

    $5,519,838
    NEW HAVEN, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    GREATER HARTFORD LEGAL AID

    $5,048,769
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES

    $916,349
    WETHERSFIELD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE BRIEF LEG

    CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY

    $860,754
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT VETERANS LEGAL CENTER

    $823,549
    WEST HAVEN, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECT

    $794,441
    MIDDLETOWN, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUT

    $295,382
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTER

    $281,490
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICA

    $161,704
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE

    $125,135
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF LAW

    $90,000
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW

    INTEGRATED REFUGE & IMMIGRANT SERVI

    $11,024
    NEW HAVEN, CT2025

    CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES

    $9,618,406
    MIDDLETOWN, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    GREATER HARTFORD LEGAL AID

    $5,087,978
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE

    $4,106,537
    NEW HAVEN, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY

    $779,726
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECT

    $669,025
    MIDDLETOWN, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT VETERANS LEGAL CENTER

    $570,332
    WEST HAVEN, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES

    $522,271
    WETHERSFIELD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE BRIEF LEG

    THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUT

    $248,694
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTER

    $246,266
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE

    $105,449
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    INTEGRATED REFUGE & IMMIGRANT SERVI

    $75,000
    NEW HAVEN, CT2024

    LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICA

    $57,906
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION

    $18,250
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    CIF REENTRY AWARD

    QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

    $10,000
    NORTH HAVEN, CT2024

    SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW

    UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF LAW

    $10,000
    HARTFORD, CT2024

    SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW

    YALE LAW SCHOOL

    $10,000
    NEW HAVEN, CT2024

    SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW

    CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES

    $9,419,228
    MIDDLETOWN, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    GREATER HARTFORD LEGAL AID

    $4,935,899
    HARTFORD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE

    $4,088,849
    NEW HAVEN, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES

    $769,043
    WETHERSFIELD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE BRIEF LEG

    CONNECTICUT VETERANS LEGAL CENTER

    $690,524
    WEST HAVEN, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY

    $580,544
    HARTFORD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECT

    $550,675
    MIDDLETOWN, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUT

    $202,064
    HARTFORD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTER

    $151,387
    HARTFORD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    OPEN COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE

    $97,550
    HARTFORD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICA

    $51,130
    HARTFORD, CT2023

    TO PROVIDE LEGAL SER

    INTEGRATED REFUGE & IMMIGRANT SERVI

    $37,500
    NEW HAVEN, CT2023