September 2023

Dunlap’s Download

A message from Charles Dunlap, Indiana Bar Foundation President & CEO

Your support and generosity make our Indiana Bar Foundation’s work possible. If there is one thing I can never say enough is “Thank You.” 

Thank You for being active and involved and being the civic leaders so critical to ensuring our local communities are vibrant and dynamic. Thank You for the work you do daily in the service of your clients and the people of our state and for continuing to reinforce our profession’s reputation as “problem solvers.” And, of course, Thank You for supporting the Foundation and its mission of service to Hoosiers through civil legal assistance and civic education. 

In addition to being problem solvers, another hallmark of our profession is preparation and planning. In this spirit, I look forward to 2025, when the Foundation celebrates its exciting 75th Anniversary. I invite you to help us celebrate what the combined philanthropic power of the Indiana legal community has accomplished in that time and, even more importantly, look to the future to dream, plan, and bring to fruition many more ways we can collectively make significant transformative changes to help our communities and state thrive. After all, that is who we are as a profession. A profession with a heart for service to others, combined with the practical skills, knowledge, and creativity to make our visions a reality.  

As we begin our preparations for the Foundation’s 75th anniversary year in 2025, we ask that you consider coming on board on the ground floor and join us in following our hearts of service to our fellow Hoosiers and creating new and exciting programs and initiatives that will transform our state. Yes, our anniversary will include a Gala Celebration event (October 3, 2025, if you want to save the date), but it will be much more.

And as much as we look forward to that grand evening, our absolute joy comes in the inspirational work we engage in with the critical partnership by our supporters — every month and every year.   

Think Civic Education, Civil Legal Assistance, Diversity Initiative, and more! 

Based on several conversations with some of the Foundation’s most steadfast partners, who expressed their interest in taking their support of the Foundation and its mission to the next level, we have been working on developing an easier way to help sponsor Foundation activities and see the difference your philanthropic dollars make. As a result of this work, I am happy to report that our staff, Development Committee, and Board will share a new menu of “2024 Partnership Opportunities” with you later this month. You already know many of the programs; new elements will include added benefits for donors and more profound partnership opportunities for those who want to mention the Foundation’s work in their media, marketing, and outreach.  

These new 2024 partnership opportunities are opening up this month — with some spots exclusive or limited in number. If you have any specific interest — or simply want more information — please request a call or meeting now. We would love to work with you to make big dreams into reality! 

As we continue to finalize these new partnership opportunities, please keep the Foundation in mind for your end-of-year 2023 giving and your 2024 budgeting. 

We remain honored to partner with you — to help make Indiana’s legal community a catalyst for improving the lives of all those we serve, and once again- THANK YOU! 

CD

Do you have an interest in major sponsorship of a Foundation program in 2024? If YES, please email Kim Berry, Director of Development, as soon as practical to discuss and reserve your opportunity. 

Foundation and State Officials Celebrate 150th Indiana Legal Help Kiosk Going Online

First Photo L-R: Lake County Circuit Court Judge Marissa McDermott, Foundation Director of Civil Legal Assistance Abbie Bush, Regional Director for Indiana Senator Todd Young, Jose Diaz, and Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter.

Second Photo: Abbie Bush demonstrates the Foundation's Indiana Legal Help kiosk to local and state officials from northwest Indiana.

On August 23, the Indiana Bar Foundation celebrated the 150th Indiana Legal Help kiosk to go online during a special event at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point. Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter, Lake County Circuit Court Judge Marissa McDermott, Indiana Regional Director for Senator Todd Young, Jose Diaz, and Indiana Bar Foundation Director of Civil Legal Assistance Abbie Bush were the distinguished speakers. Letters of support from Senator Young and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb were read.

"Congratulations on this remarkable achievement and to all who made it possible. I cannot wait to see your continued efforts in taking Indiana to the Next Level," wrote Governor Holcomb.

The Foundation led the creation and implementation of the kiosk program, funded by a $13.1 (M) contract with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. 

"Today reflects the commitment, support, and determination of organizations and individuals committed to expanding civil legal assistance to all Hoosiers," said Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap.

Kiosks are available in courthouses, libraries, and other easily accessible locations in all Indiana counties and connect to the resources of IndianaLegalHelp.org, a comprehensive website covering a wide variety of resources, including live chat for unrepresented litigants needing civil legal assistance.

While initially focused on housing issues, kiosk users will soon be able to access all Indiana Legal Help resources on topics including child custody, divorce, workplace discrimination, driver's license suspension and reinstatement, expungement, and other legal issues.

In addition, the Foundation recently launched the Indiana Legal Help Desk, a free service for Hoosiers with housing legal questions. Legal Navigators are available through live chat Monday through Friday to provide legal information and connect individuals to free legal resources such as eviction clinics.

Hoosiers can access the Indiana Legal Help Desk in the Housing legal topics section on IndianaLegalHelp.org or at any of the 150 legal help kiosks around the state. Housing questions can also be sent to the help desk through email at ilh@inbarfoundation.org or text (317) 548-0350. The help desk will be open for phone calls in the coming weeks.

"Access to affordable housing is the foundation of the American dream. I want to thank the Indiana Bar Foundation and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority for investing in all 92 counties," wrote Senator Young.

Information about the Foundation's Civil Legal Assistance program can be found here.

Indiana Civics Coalition Committees Meet;

New Logo Unveiled

The Foundation has unveiled the Indiana Civics Coalition (Coalition) logo as part of continued progress since the group was formed during the April 13 Inaugural Indiana Civics Summit. The logo launch coincides with initial Coalition committee meetings taking place. The Civic Health and Civic Education committees met last week and the Civic Advocacy Committee met September 5.

The Coalition is open to individuals and organizations interested in working to make Indiana a national civics leader. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please contact Foundation Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen with membership questions. Sponsorship questions should be shared with Foundation Director of Development Kim Berry.

Unique View of the Indiana Court of Appeals Highlights Foundation's Fall Professional Development Opportunity

Join the Indiana Bar Foundation Wednesday, September 27, at the Indiana Statehouse for a 'behind the curtain' venture into the Indiana Court of Appeals. The Foundation is excited to bring this opportunity to gain content knowledge on the judicial branch and the appellate processes from a first-hand perspective to Hoosier educators. Please Visit the Foundation’s Professional Development page for additional information. Please register here on or before September 22.

(Pictured: Foundation Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen presenting at a recent Foundation professional development event)

Volunteers Needed to Support Upcoming Civic Education Competitions

The Foundation is seeking judges to listen to and evaluate students’ arguments in it’s We the People Program. Hoosier students rely on the Indiana Civic Community to bring this program to life. The necessary training, materials, information, and resources will be provided so that any person can judge this competition comfortably. To see the full list of regional dates, the questions the students will answer, and the registration form, visit this page.

Mock Trial Teachers Encouraged to Attend Upcoming Workshops

The Foundation is excited to offer a beginner and advanced Mock Trial Law School workshop to teachers interested in starting mock trial or making their team better.

For the Beginner Workshop, the Foundation will provide you with everything needed to start an amazing mock trial program at your school.

The Advanced Workshop offers the tools to make an amazing mock trial program even better. Staff will bring in legal professionals to assist in developing the difficult aspects of the mock trial competition and translate them to your high school team.

Beginner Workshops:

• Lake County: October 5 at the Lake County Bar Association (Merrillville)
• Indianapolis: October 11 at the Indiana Bar Foundation Office (Indianapolis)

Advanced Workshop:

• Indianapolis: October 12 at the Indiana Bar Foundation Office (Indianapolis) 

Please register here.

Indiana High School Students Encouraged to Apply for the United States Senate Youth Program with $10,000 College Scholarships

The Foundation is accepting applications for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)! Two Indiana students will be selected to represent the state as Delegates during Washington Week 2024 where they will meet with Senators, Justices, and leaders throughout government. Delegates receive a $10,000 scholarship provided by the Hearst Foundation. Additional information about the program and application process can be found on the Foundation’s USSYP Page. The application closes at midnight September 15.  

Hamilton Southeastern HS Senior is Foundation's Fall & Spring Semester Intern

Hi, I am Ava Bellaver, an intern at the Indiana Bar Foundation this year. I am in my senior year at Hamilton Southeastern High School and interning through the Law and Government Academy. I am so excited to work with the Foundation this year and learn more about civic education, the legal system, law and business, and everything else that I will be helping with. I plan on studying Political Science and Business in college while attending Anderson University and playing collegiate soccer. I then plan to attend law school to become a lawyer. I can’t wait to learn more this year and am excited to be interning at the Foundation!

The Foundation invites you to join the Remnant Trust on September 13 and 14 for their Great Conversations Lecture Series, "The American Experiment: A More or Less Perfect Union." Judge Douglass Ginsburg will be the featured speaker both days. Learn more here. The registration deadline is September 8.

Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap and Senior Counsel Marilyn Smith participated in the August 30 retirement ceremony for the Honorable Martha Blood Wentworth of the Indiana Tax Court.

Judge Wentworth is the second person and only female to serve as Indiana’s Tax Court judge. She was appointed in 2011 and stepped down from the bench on September 2, 2023, after more than 12 years of service.

The Foundation is grateful to Judge Wentworth for her commitment to access to justice, civics, and our mission.

The 4^th Annual Bill of Rights Art & Essay contest sponsored by the U.S. Courts is live and ready for your students' entries! All Indiana students in grades 5-12 are encouraged to participate! Submissions will be accepted through October 29. Students can win up to $500, and teachers can win prizes, too! This year's contest prompts, complete instructions, and a link to the online submission form can be found through this link. The contest deadline is October 29, 2023. Questions may be emailed to Mary Giorgio.

New staff and expanding programs reflect the Foundation's continued growth. We are proud of our team and want to introduce them to you! Please take a moment to Get to Know Foundation Chief Administrative Officer Kayla O'Brien.