https://www.mnbar.org/
Ramsey County Bar Foundation
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.
Grant Applications
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.
Grant Application
The Bar Foundation considers grants once a year. Submissions for the 2026 grant cycle are open and will close on February 9, 2026.
Apply Now Member Donations
Generous donations from Ramsey County Bar Association members complement the funds raised by the foundation fundraisers.
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. 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.
Major Fundraising Events
Annual Bench and 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.
Board of Directors
Officers
Hon. Jessica Palmer-Denig—President
Sarah McEllistrem—Vice President
Sheina Long—Treasurer
Cheryl Dalby—Secretary
Board Members
Hon. Joseph Meyer
Melitta Dreschler
Maya Missaghi
Racey Rodne
Susan Buckley
Law Student Scholarships
The Ramsey County Bar Foundation and the Hennepin County Bar Foundation 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.
2025 Grant Recipients
- Accola $2,500
- (The) Advocates for Human Rights $2,500
- Children's Law Center $4,000
- CornerHouse $1,000
- Council on Islamic Relations $1,000
- Dispute Resolution Center $3,000
- Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center $3,000
- Domestic Abuse Project $1,000
- Foster Advocates $2,000
- HOME Line $2,500
- Housing Justice Center $1,000
- Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota $4,500
- Indian Child Welfare Law Center of MN $2,000
- International Institute of Minnesota $1,000
- Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers $4,000
- Loan Repayment Assistance Program $4,500
- Minnesota Elder Justice Center $1,500
- Minnesota Justice Foundation $2,000
- Neighborhood Justice Center $2,500
- PFund Foundation $1,000
- Raíces Sagradas Community Mental Health $1,000
- (The) Saint Paul and Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project $5,000
- Standpoint $2,500
- Transforming Generations $2,250
- Tubman $1,000
- We Resolve $1,000
