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MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION

EIN 38-1459016 LANSING, MI

Browse the largest nonprofits in Michigan

Revenue 2024
$25,552,675
Expenses 2024
$23,918,318

Program services were 98.2% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
I128
Classification
2000
Street
306 TOWNSEND ST

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Other organizations at this address

1 other organization in the IRS Business Master File lists the same street address. matched by us

We match the street line and ZIP code as the IRS gives them, ignoring case and outer spaces and nothing else, so "AVE" and "AVENUE" count as different streets and this list can miss some. A shared address can mean related organizations or a shared office, but it can also be a registered agent, a mail drop or a service provider holding mail for unrelated clients. It is not, by itself, evidence that two organizations are connected.

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND GRANTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR ALL TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LEGAL AID FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, LAW-RELATED EDUCATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND PROMOTE IMPROVEMENTS IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN MICHIGAN.

  • IOLTA - INTEREST ON CERTAIN LAWYERS' POOLED ACCOUNTS DESIGNATED FOR GRANTS REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. 14,425 ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATED.

    Expenses $14,297,836 · Grants $13,564,493 · Revenue $14,929,046

  • MSHDA - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING THE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM.

    Expenses $4,158,257 · Grants $4,090,757

  • ACCESS TO JUSTICE - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

    Expenses $2,106,941 · Grants $1,760,305

  • SPECIAL GRANTS TO CIVIL LEGAL AID PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC LEGAL NEEDS. REVENUE INCLUDED FUNDS FROM THE JUDICIARY, RELIEF FUNDS AWARDED IN CLASS ACTION CASES, AND MSBF GENERAL FUNDS.

    Expenses $1,192,787 · Grants $1,173,557

  • DHS SSI - CONTRACT REVENUES FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ARE DISTRIBUTED TO LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN APPLYING FOR SSI OR OTHER FEDERAL DISABILITY BENEFITS.

    Expenses $975,000 · Grants $937,500

  • LEGAL SELF-HELP - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING PROVISION OF LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS ONLINE, SUPPORT FOR AND OPERATION OF LEGAL SELF-HELP CENTERS, AND TRAINING RELATED TO LEGAL SELF-HELP.

    Expenses $650,000 · Grants $650,000

  • FELLOWS PROGRAM - A PROGRAM WHICH GENERATES UNRESTRICTED REVENUE FOR THE FOUNDATION'S PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES. 1,549 ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATED.

    Expenses $90,761

  • FILING FEES - FUNDS EXPENDED TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

    Expenses $21,534 · Revenue $59,901

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

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Karen Leppanen Miller

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steven G Howell

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michael L Pitt

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Thomas W Cranmer

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Hon William B Murphy

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nicole M Wotlinski

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Hon Victoria A Roberts

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard A Soble

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert F Riley

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jonathan E Osgood

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Thomas R Behm

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ronda L Tate Truvillion

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard K Rappleye

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Julie I Fershtman

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Craig H Lubben

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jennifer S Bentley

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASST SEC/TREAS

    Total calculated
    $220,426
    From this org
    $186,105
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,321
    Hours/week
    47

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $186,105
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,722
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,599
    Filer's total
    $220,426

  • Traci L Thrana-Kuiper

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $177,264
    From this org
    $131,455
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,809
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $131,455
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,627
    Nontaxable benefits
    $36,182
    Filer's total
    $177,264

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $25,552,675
    Expenses
    $23,918,318
    Contributions
    $9,632,568
    Grants paid
    $22,176,612
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $29,616,731
    Expenses
    $13,778,507
    Contributions
    $10,245,293
    Grants paid
    $12,489,673
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $19,857,772
    Expenses
    $14,032,060
    Contributions
    $11,434,244
    Grants paid
    $12,819,883

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $12,794,353
    Expenses
    $13,406,074
    Assets (EOY)
    $11,655,602

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $12,232,628
    Expenses
    $12,229,382
    Assets (EOY)
    $14,254,116

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $5,949,555
    Expenses
    $5,822,816
    Assets (EOY)
    $14,729,028

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,371,017
    Expenses
    $3,811,597
    Assets (EOY)
    $13,976,475

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,672,736
    Expenses
    $3,252,949
    Assets (EOY)
    $15,653,289

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,050,857
    Expenses
    $11,697,283
    Assets (EOY)
    $18,234,818

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $14,007,442
    Expenses
    $4,038,878
    Assets (EOY)
    $19,846,330

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,015,256
    Expenses
    $2,754,133
    Assets (EOY)
    $8,992,676

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,462,641
    Expenses
    $2,700,399
    Assets (EOY)
    $8,162,587

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $2,416,057
    Assets (EOY)
    $8,189,329

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

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

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 1 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.