Funders & Supporters

Supporters & Funders

IOLA:  Interest on Lawyers Accounts.  This is a five-year grant cycle that the Rural Law Center has applied for and received since 1996.  IOLA funds are derived by interest from lawyer trust accounts, that are ultimately pooled to provide civil legal aid to the poor and support improvements to the justice system.  The IOLA fund issues an RFP every five years and awards money based upon geographic area and types of law services provided.  The Rural Law Center is able to fund services for those members of our community who are at or below 125% of the poverty level.

JCLS: Judicial Civil Legal Services.  The Permanent Commission on Access to Justice recommended annual funding for civil legal service organizations to meet the needs of those living at or below 200% of the poverty level.  This is a five-year grant cycle that the Rural Law Center has applied for and received funding from JCLS for more than a decade.

ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution.  In 1981, the State of New York enacted Article 21-A of the New York State Judiciary Law and created the Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program (CDRCP). This initiative provides community-based forums for the resolution of civil and minor criminal disputes through dispute resolution processes other than litigation.  ADR issues an RFP every five-years and awards money based on geographic area and an organization’s ability to provide a wide range of free and low-cost dispute resolution services including mediation, arbitration, restorative practices and conflict coaching.  The Rural Law Center has applied for and received funding from ADR since 2005.

Adirondack Foundation Trust:  Created in 1997, the Adirondack Foundation began building charitable assets to strengthen Adirondack communities. Since then, they have worked with thousands of generous individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to channel philanthropy into the communities of the Adirondacks.

The Rural Law Center has periodically received grant awards from private funders utilizing the Adirondack Foundation Trust. 

Private Supporters:  The Rural Law Center receives periodic donations from private supporters who have accessed our civil legal services and have sought to give back, or from private individuals in the community who wish to donate to our organization.