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Nonprofiteer
← THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$44,499,655
Total expenses
$37,100,654
Contributions and grants received
$33,224,345
Grants paid
$32,124,744
Program service revenue
$10,315,329
Investment income
$842,209
Other revenue
$117,772
Total assets, end of year
$36,473,218
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,572,125
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$27,901,093
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$36,032,510
Management and general expenses
$695,435
Fundraising expenses
$372,709
Program service expenses (Part III)
$36,032,510

Program services were 97.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $89,530

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $32,337,824

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $796,991

  • 2a · Program service revenue: IOLTA CONTRIBUTIONS

    total $10,315,329 · excluded $10,315,329

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $842,209 · excluded $842,209

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $117,772

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $89,530

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $0

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $117,772 · excluded $117,772

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $31,511,724 · program services $31,511,724

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $613,020 · program services $613,020

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,320,060 · program services $1,060,403 · management and general $121,568 · fundraising $138,089

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $842,727 · program services $676,962 · management and general $77,609 · fundraising $88,156

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $73,218 · program services $59,201 · management and general $6,158 · fundraising $7,859

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $117,332 · program services $96,144 · management and general $6,299 · fundraising $14,889

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $167,540 · program services $137,426 · management and general $12,107 · fundraising $18,007

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $189,835 · management and general $189,835

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,288,667 · program services $1,076,965 · management and general $163,579 · fundraising $48,123

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $6,286 · program services $657 · management and general $440 · fundraising $5,189

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $38,083 · program services $7,346 · management and general $21,174 · fundraising $9,563

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $112,520 · program services $88,788 · management and general $18,157 · fundraising $5,575

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $130,642 · program services $104,943 · management and general $12,032 · fundraising $13,667

  • 17 · Travel

    total $12,541 · program services $6,727 · management and general $5,730 · fundraising $84

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $66,309 · program services $35,394 · management and general $13,012 · fundraising $17,903

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $9,459 · program services $7,601 · management and general $872 · fundraising $986

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $8,868 · program services $7,123 · management and general $817 · fundraising $928

  • 24a · Other expenses: GRANTEE EVALUATION, TRA

    total $513,364 · program services $513,270 · management and general $20 · fundraising $74

  • 24b · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $42,847 · program services $15,847 · management and general $24,538 · fundraising $2,462

  • 24c · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTION

    total $35,612 · program services $12,969 · management and general $21,488 · fundraising $1,155

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $26,098,347 · end of year $32,680,932

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $78,666 · end of year $188,697

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,030,450 · end of year $979,899

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $355,312 · end of year $400,402

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $62,526

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $44,228

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $14,400 · end of year $18,298

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $2,000,688 · end of year $2,069,088

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $29,150 · end of year $135,902

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $617,404 · end of year $491,198

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $920,561 · end of year $679,429

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $7,566,956 · end of year $7,294,746

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $106,752

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,568,780 · end of year $1,585,671

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $18,933,312 · end of year $26,315,422

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION WORKS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR DC RESIDENTS WITH LOW INCOME. IT LEVERAGES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES TO FUND AND STRENGTHEN THE CIVIL LEGAL AID NETWORK.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO FUND AND STRENGTHEN LEGAL SERVICES FOR DC RESIDENTS WITH LOW INCOME.

  • ACCESS TO JUSTICE GRANTS:IN 2007, THE DC BAR FOUNDATION (DCBF) BEGAN AWARDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE GRANTS WHEN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DESIGNATED DCBF AS THE ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING OVERSIGHT OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE INITIATIVE. ATJ SUPPORTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN THREE AREAS: (A) UNDERSERVED AREAS, (B) HOUSING-RELATED MATTERS, AND (C) A SHARED LEGAL SERVICES INTERPRETER BANK. SINCE 2007, THE FOUNDATION HAS ADMINISTERED $137.6 MILLION IN ATJ FUNDING TO PROVIDE CRITICAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO UNDERSERVED DC RESIDENTS WITH LOW INCOME.

    Expenses $20,246,957 · Grants $19,031,808

  • CIVIL LEGAL COUNSEL PROJECTS PROGRAM GRANTS:THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ESTABLISHED THE CIVIL LEGAL COUNSEL PROJECTS PROGRAM (CLCPP) GRANTS THROUGH THE EXPANDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE AMENDMENT ACT OF 2017, WHICH DESIGNATES THE DC BAR FOUNDATION AS THE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION. CLCPP PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL TENANTS OR GROUPS OF TENANTS WITH LOW INCOME TO ADDRESS EVICTION, RENT INCREASES, HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS, TERMINATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S PARTICIPATION IN A HOUSING SUBSIDY PROGRAM, AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. SINCE 2018, THE FOUNDATION HAS ADMINISTERED $58.1 MILLION IN CLCPP FUNDING TO PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUAL AND TENANTS AND GROUPS OF TENANTS.

    Expenses $10,319,439 · Grants $9,499,999

  • DC RESOURCE BRIDGE:WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LEGAL AID COMMUNITY, DC RESIDENTS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, THE DC BAR FOUNDATION (DCBF) CREATED THE DC RESOURCE BRIDGE (DCRB) TO COORDINATE TRAUMA-INFORMED INTAKE AND EFFICIENT REFERRALS ACROSS THE CITY'S 50-PLUS FREE AND LOW-COST LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. DCRB LAUNCHED ITS PHONE HOTLINE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2025, FOLLOWING A FIVE-YEAR COLLABORATIVE PLANNING PROCESS INVOLVING LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS, FUNDERS, AND SYSTEM PARTNERS. IN EARLY 2026, IT LAUNCHED ITS ONLINE INTAKE FORM, GIVING VULNERABLE DC RESIDENTS A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY TO ACCESS CIVIL LEGAL AID. THE PROGRAM NOW CONNECTS RESIDENTS IN EVERY WARD IN THE CITY TO FREE LEGAL SERVICES IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DC SOCIAL JUSTICE TRANSFORMATIONS NETWORK (DCSJTN), FOUNDED IN 2020 BY THE DC BAR FOUNDATION, BRINGS TOGETHER LEGAL AID PROVIDERS, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO BUILD A MORE COORDINATED, EQUITABLE, AND USER-CENTERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR DC RESIDENTS. THE NETWORK HOLDS THREE CONVENINGS ANNUALLY AND WORKS TO FOSTER COLLABORATION, SHARE RESOURCES, AND ADDRESS SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH COLLECTIVE ACTION.

    Expenses $1,646,476 · Grants $756,425

  • PRIVATE GRANTS PROGRAMTHE DC BAR FOUNDATION'S PRIVATE GRANTS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978 TO PROVIDE CRITICAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO DC LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS. THESE GRANTS PROVIDE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS TO HELP COVER OVERHEAD COSTS, SUCH AS RENT AND CLIENT RECORD DATABASES, WHICH ARE NOT ALWAYS COVERED BY OTHER GRANTS THESE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE. THE PRIVATE GRANTS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS AND BY REVENUE FROM THE DC'S INTEREST ON LAWYERS' TRUST ACCOUNT (IOLTA) PROGRAM. SINCE 1978, THE FOUNDATION HAS PROVIDED OVER $34 MILLION IN CRITICAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO DC LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. EXPENSES WERE $3,005,766 AND GRANTS AWARDED WERE $2,223,492 FOR THE YEAR.LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSINCE 2007, DCBF HAS GRANTED FUNDS TO PAY DOWN EDUCATIONAL DEBT FOR ATTORNEYS WORKING WITH LEGAL AID PROVIDERS IN DC THROUGH THE LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LRAP). IN 2025, LRAP PROGRAMS SUPPORTED 104 INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS ACROSS 27 APPROVED GRANTEE ORGANIZATIONS. EXPENSES WERE $716,770 AND GRANTS AWARDED $608,020 FOR THE YEAR.

    Expenses $3,819,638 · Grants $2,836,512

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Benjamin F Wilson

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Ronald S Flagg

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Meredith Fuchs

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Gail Makode

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Wayne T Gibson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kim Leblanc-Ross

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Jehan A Patterson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Angels C Montez

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Melissa Weberman

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kenyattah Robinson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Jaya Saxena

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Tab Stewart

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Liz Oyer

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Lori Parris

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Adam Pollett

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kirra Jarratt

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $453,436
    From this org
    $428,662
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,774
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $428,662
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,174
    Filer's total
    $453,436

  • Jesse Daryl Byler

    DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $211,681
    From this org
    $185,553
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,128
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $185,553
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,979
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,149
    Filer's total
    $211,681

  • Aracelis Gray

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM

    Total calculated
    $265,767
    From this org
    $212,307
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $53,460
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $212,307
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,816
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,644
    Filer's total
    $265,767

  • Stephanie K Shain

    CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $280,647
    From this org
    $241,877
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,770
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $241,877
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,668
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,102
    Filer's total
    $280,647

  • Farid Forozi

    DIRECTOR OF EVALUATION AND INNOVATION

    Total calculated
    $213,537
    From this org
    $175,111
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,426
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,111
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,353
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,073
    Filer's total
    $213,537

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
18 June 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202611829349300721

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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