Voluntary Bar Diversity Leadership Grants

Voluntary Bar Association Diversity Leadership Grants are administered by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Overview

The purpose of this Voluntary Bar Association grant program is to support initiatives and programs that encourage diversity, diversity training and dialogue among lawyers in Florida through financial support of conferences, seminars, summits and symposia planned and hosted by local and specialty Bar Associations.

A total of $50,000 is available to award to Voluntary Bar Associations with individual grants up to $1,500 and up to $3,000 to multiple Voluntary Bars working together on a project. Bar associations are limited to one application/project per year. Programs should not be used as a replacement for the organizations’ programs. Voluntary Bar Associations can submit (1) single or joint application for funding during the grant period.

Grants will be awarded to underwrite multi-hour, half-day, full-day or multi-day diversity conferences designed to:

• Foster an inclusive environment in which lawyers, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability are motivated to succeed professionally and contribute to the goals of their profession; and/or
• Increase knowledge and awareness of diversity and cultural competency; and/or
• Increase effort in support of gender equality efforts of the Florida Bar; and/or
• Increase participation, retention and representation in local and specialty Voluntary Bars; and/or
• Improve diversity in legal education, employment, the judiciary and The Florida Bar.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be Voluntary Bar Associations headquartered and operating in Florida.
• The project described in the grant application and the request for funding must have received approval by the Voluntary Bar Association’s governing board.
• The project for which funds are requested must be educational in nature and open for attendance by Florida Bar members, legal paraprofessionals and Florida law school students.
• Voluntary Bar Associations must provide one free full admissions to Bar staff.

Grant Applications

Applications are now being accepted for  2022-2023 Diversity Leadership Grants. To be considered for this grant cycle, the applicant VBAs proposed program must be scheduled to take place during the grant cycle beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023.

Download the Grant Application

Grant applications must be completed, signed, and submitted by e-mail on or before July 15, 2022.

Diversity Leadership Grant application – Section 2 will be issued to all successful applicants at the time of award.  

2021-2022 Diversity Leadership Grantees