DuPage County Bar Foundation
Established in 1997, the DuPage County Bar Foundation is the charitable [501(c)(3)] arm of the DuPage County Bar Association governed by a Board of Directors consisting of nineteen distinguished DCBA members.
The purpose of this educational and charitable corporation is:
- To foster and maintain the honor and integrity of the profession of law;
- To improve and facilitate the administration of justice;
- To promote the study of the law;
- To acquire, preserve and exhibit rare books and documents, subjects of art and items of historical interest having legal significance; and
- To assist deserving members of the DuPage County Bar and their dependents who are ill, incapacitated or superannuated.
The DCBF fulfills this purpose by supporting our community with direct and monetary support through the following programs:
Lawyers Lending a Hand
Bored? Stressed? Lost Your Perspective? Come Do Yourself Some Good...By Helping Others.
This public service project was founded by Honorable Paul Marchese, formerly of the State's Attorney Office and former DCBA Executive Director Eddie Wollenberg. DCBA members and friends meet monthly to serve and relieve the stresses of practicing law by assisting various agencies and services in DuPage County. A few examples of projects include painting walls and sorting canned goods for a food pantry, organizing coat drives, playing basketball with at-risk youth, clearing debris from forest preserve streams, and visiting the elderly. Projects are typically held on the third Thursday of each month. Check the calendar for the next project. Feel free to call Eddie Wollenberg at (630) 668-2415 or Paul Marchese at (630) 407-8933 if you have questions or suggestions for projects.
Grants to Local Non-Profit Organizations
DCBF facilitates the administration of justice by inviting grant submissions once a year - from August 1-31. Over the past years, we have awarded grants to various organizations, including:
CASA of DuPage County, which serves as the child's advocate to the 18th Judicial Circuit in Abuse and Neglect cases.
Special Ed Advocacy Center to provide free legal representation to parents and caregivers of special needs children, who might not otherwise receive legal representation, on the substantive and procedural aspects of special education law.
A pdf of the grant application is available here.
Law School Scholarships
The DCBF promotes the study of law via the Ambassador Scholarship. The DCBF Board awards this scholarship annually to one or more incoming second-year law students from DuPage County. The DCBF announces scholarship availability to all Illinois law school financial aid offices, and posts the scholarship application to our web site. A screening committee will personally interview most applicants. The scholarship is awarded at the Installation dinner in early June. Winner(s) or their representative must be able to personally attend this dinner.
Lending a Hand to Our Members in Need
Since its inception, the DCBF has assisted several DCBA members in need by contributing financially to help defray major medical expenses. Such application may be made via confidential correspondence to the DCBF President or Executive Director.
May I Lend a Hand?
The DCBF invites all DCBA members, family and friends to lend a hand. We seek tax-deductible financial support, either through direct contributions, pledges or via DCBA dues check-offs. All funds are used toward grants, scholarships and Lawyers Lending a Hand, and not toward salaries. DCBF funds will not be used for the financial gain of members or to influence legislation. The Foundation also encourages you to become involved with our Lawyers Lending a Hand program.
For Information:
Leslie Monahan, Executive Director, DCBA
DuPage County Bar Foundation
lmonahan@dcba.org
126 S. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 653-7779