The Ramsey County Bar Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization. The mission of the foundation is to provide financial support to programs in the Ramsey County geographic area that benefit the legal profession, improve the quality and accessibility of justice, and would otherwise attract the interest and support of Ramsey County lawyers.
Grants are awarded to organizations that:
- Educate all segments of the public in government and the legal system.
- Promote and provide legal services to persons of limited means through grants to legal services providers.
- Improve the administration of justice and the quality and functioning of the legal system.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today and supporting the organizations funded by the Ramsey County Bar Foundation and future lawyers who will make a difference. All contributors will be acknowledged in the Barrister.
If your contribution is in honor or memory of someone, please indicate the name(s) at the time of payment or send an email to eryan@mnbars.org
Board of Directors
Paul D. Peterson – President
Racey Rodne – Treasurer
Cheryl Dalby – Secretary
Kenya Bodden
Robert Devolve
Hon. Victoria Elsmore
Renee Fossen
Hon. Kelly Olmstead
Hon. Jessica Palmer-Denig
Andy Rorvig
Grant Applications
The 2022-2023 grant application is due on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Please submit grant applications through this Online Form.
You can also apply for the Minnesota State Bar Foundation (MSBF) and Hennepin County Bar Foundation in the same application, if done so by February 21, 2023.
For questions or more information, contact Erikka Ryan at eryan@mnbars.org or 612-278-6321.
Please see the list of our grantees below.
2022-2023 Grant Recipients
$2,000
$500
$2,000
$5,000
$4,000
$2,000
$2,000
$500
$1,000
$1,000
$1,500
$1,000
$4,000
$1,000
$4,500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$2,500
$1,000
$1,000
$2,000
$1,750
$1,500
$500
$500
$500
Law Student Scholarships
The Ramsey County Bar Foundation and the Hennepin County Bar Foundation will award scholarships to law students who attend a Minnesota law school and who are members of a group traditionally under-represented in the legal profession (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability). The applicant must be a current law student with a record of academic or professional achievement and must display leadership qualities through past work experience, community involvement or student activities.
In 2023, six local law students received scholarships from the foundation as recommended by the RCBA Diversity Committee.
Major Fundraising Events
Annual Bench & Bar Benefit
The Benefit, held in the fall of each year, is the major fundraiser for the foundation. Half of the money raised at the Benefit is given directly to Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. The other half is awarded in grants to other law-related organizations.
Charity Golf Tournament
The annual RCBF Golf Tournament is also a significant fundraiser for the foundation. The 2023 tournament will take place on July 10. More info.
Member Donations
Generous donations from Ramsey County Bar Association members complement the funds raised by the foundation fundraisers.
The mission of the Ramsey County Bar Foundation is to provide financial support to programs in the Ramsey County geographic area that benefit the legal profession, improve the quality and accessibility of justice, and would otherwise attract the interest and support of Ramsey County lawyers.
The following organizations were recipients of grants from the foundation during the past year:
Director of Equity, Inclusion and Foundations
eryan@mnbars.org
612-278-6321
2023 Distinguished Humanitarian Award Goes to Hon. James Street
Mar 08, 2023
Full story
2023 Liberty Bell Award Goes to Dr. Ellen J. Kennedy
Mar 08, 2023
Full story
Volunteer Opportunity: Reading Program
Feb 15, 2023
Full story