OSBF Racial Justice Initiative Grant

The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is a private philanthropic organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Since its establishment, OSBF has supported efforts to promote public understanding of the rule of law and foster improvements in the justice system. In 2020, OSBF launched the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI), a strategic grants program that specifically funds projects targeting systemic racism. The initiative has since awarded over $1 million in grants to organizations working on long-lasting institutional change related to racial equity and justice across Ohio. The Racial Justice Initiative focuses on dismantling systemic racism that affects historically marginalized communities of color. The funder seeks to support efforts that identify and challenge biases within legal and societal institutions. Funding is limited to project-based proposals and does not cover internal organizational improvements such as DEI assessments or equal opportunity policy updates. Instead, eligible projects should aim to educate the public, eliminate legal barriers for communities of color, promote collaboration with legal system entities, or propose frameworks to end racial inequities. Eligible applicants must operate in Ohio and present projects that show tangible, replicable impact toward racial justice. While the initiative does not explicitly list eligible entity types, the range of previous recipients includes nonprofits, academic institutions, advocacy groups, and foundations, indicating a broad but Ohio-centric eligibility. Projects must avoid focusing on internal capacity building and instead address community-facing outcomes that enhance legal equity and understanding. Applicants must submit their proposals online by 5:00 p.m. on the posted deadline of August 15, 2025. If this date falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the following Monday at 5:00 p.m. Online applications not submitted by the deadline are removed from the system. Award notifications and funding distributions are made in December. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline under any circumstances. Evaluation is based on the project’s ability to meet OSBF's goal of promoting justice and understanding of the rule of law in ways that challenge systemic racism. Proposals are expected to show sustainable frameworks, clear educational components, and opportunities for engagement with Ohio’s legal systems. OSBF emphasizes funding initiatives with broad geographic reach or scalable models, as illustrated by projects that have served all 88 counties in Ohio. For more information, applicants may contact the Ohio State Bar Foundation at 614.487.4444 or via email at osbf@osbf.org. The Foundation is located at 1700 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 230, Columbus, OH 43204. Additional details and access to the online application portal are available through the organization’s official website. No specific application questions were listed in the source materials.