In May 1996, the board of trustees created the Allegheny County Bar Foundation Permanently Restricted Endowment Fund in order to aid the foundation in carrying out its philanthropic mission. Until 2005, contributions to the endowment were limited primarily to Fellows pledges.
On Sept. 21, 2005, the foundation launched the “Building Bridges to the Future” campaign in response to funding cutbacks affecting legal service organizations. Through this new initiative, the bar foundation made a commitment to build the endowment to at least $1,000,000 by 2010.
Raising funds for the endowment directly impacts the foundation’s ability to assist legal service providers in their mission to increase critically needed legal services to low-income residents in Allegheny County. A strong endowment will enable the foundation to award additional and/or larger grants to these agencies and to expand its pro bono efforts and educational services to the community.
We are pleased to report that the endowment has surpassed the $1 million mark thanks to the commitment of the firms and individuals who have generously supported the campaign.
Pledges are still being accepted. If you are interested in contributing to the endowment campaign, please contact Lorrie K. Albert at lalbert@acba.org.