The Idaho Law Foundation administers the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Grant Program, a funding initiative that supports programs advancing legal aid, public legal education, and the administration of justice in Idaho. The program collaborates with members of the Idaho State Bar and Idaho’s banking sector to deposit client funds in interest-bearing accounts, with interest revenues remitted to the Foundation for redistribution through grants. Since its inception in 1985, the IOLTA Grant Program has distributed over $7.7 million to support public-serving legal initiatives.
The IOLTA Grant Program supports four primary areas: legal aid to the poor, law-related education for the public, scholarships and student loans, and improvements in the administration of justice. These focus areas reflect the program’s commitment to promoting equitable access to justice and legal knowledge across Idaho. Grants cannot be used for endowments, lobbying, fundraising, or to cover expenses incurred in previous years.
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle are currently open and will close on September 15. An estimated $900,000 will be available for the 2026 awards, pending the calculation of 2025 year-end balances. Applicants must submit a completed and signed grant cover sheet, a narrative of five pages or fewer (answering the included questions), a program- or project-specific budget, an organizational operating budget, and the most recent audited financials. Applications can be submitted by email to Shay Beckwith at sbeckwith@isb.idaho.gov, mailed to the Idaho Law Foundation’s P.O. Box in Boise, or dropped off in person during business hours.
Grant recipients will be notified of award decisions by the end of October. The 2025 cycle awarded $600,000 across eight grants, with amounts ranging from $1,500 to $223,000, distributed among the four focus areas. In 2024 and 2023, grants ranged from $500 to $126,000, reflecting a flexible funding structure that accommodates a variety of legal service and education initiatives.
The application is evaluated using a scoring rubric available on the program website, ensuring a transparent and structured selection process. Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully review all application materials and follow submission guidelines to ensure eligibility and timely consideration. Additional questions should be directed to Shay Beckwith at (208) 334-4500.
