Grants

The North Carolina IOLTA Program is limited to making grants for the following charitable purposes:

Grants are made only to non-profit, charitable organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or to organizations that otherwise demonstrate a charitable purpose to accomplish the above goals.

Grants are awarded on a calendar year basis. The grant application deadline is October 1 (or the following business day).

PLEASE READ BEFORE DECIDING TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

We anticipate again making no grants to new organizations or for new programs—or to the administration of justice programs not funded beginning in 2010. We want you to have this information before you spend the time preparing a 2013 grant application.

The NC IOLTA trustees have asked that we provide some information on IOLTA’s decreased income and how it is affecting grant making. In 2009, we saw an unprecedented downturn in income—a 55% decrease from the previous year. As interest rates have remained at unprecedented low levels, our income continued at very low levels in 2010, 2011, and into 2012. 

Beginning with the 2010 grants, therefore, we have limited our grant-making to a core group of (mainly) legal aid providers. Even with that restriction and using over $1.3 million in reserve funds over the last three grant years, grants have dramatically decreased (by over 40% since 2009).

Due to the continued difficult economic times and unprecedented low interest rates resulting in decreased IOLTA income, we anticipate continuing the decision to limit grant-making for 2013. 

If you need more information or wish to discuss this situation further, please contact NC IOLTA Director Evelyn Pursley in the NC IOLTA office (919-828-0477).

To request a grant application, contact the IOLTA office. Applications are typically available in mid-summer.