Foundation takes in nearly $9.5 million in its first year operating under new rules
'The Foundation’s board members and staff continue to work diligently to implement the amended rule as efficiently, effectively, and fairly as possible'

Foundation President Suzanne Van Wyk
The Florida Bar Foundation received $9,498,804.89 in IOTA collections during its first fiscal year under new rules set by the Florida Supreme Court.
In accordance with the amendments to Bar Rule 5.1-1(g)(8), the Foundation will, on or before December 31, distribute to one or more qualified grantee organizations all IOTA funds collected during Fiscal Year 2021-22, except for direct expenses required to administer the IOTA funds, funds required to fund the Loan Repayment Assistance Program, and an additional reserve amount if requested by the Foundation and approved by the Supreme Court.
“The Foundation’s board members and staff continue to work diligently to implement the amended rule as efficiently, effectively, and fairly as possible,” said Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk, the Foundation’s president.
The Foundation created a work plan to implement the amended rule that includes a matrix that calculates how IOTA funds will be distributed to qualified grantee organizations, according to a statement from the Foundation.
The Foundation is currently conducting a grant distribution trial run using the matrix to determine its effectiveness, the Foundation said.
The Foundation accomplishes its mission by funding programs that expand and improve representation and advocacy on behalf of low-income persons in civil legal matters, improve the fair and effective administration of justice, and promote public service among lawyers.
The court amended the rules governing the IOTA program June 18, 2021, in In re: Amendments to Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 5-1.1(g), Case No. SC20-1543, after weighing the recommendations of its Task Force on the Distribution of IOTA Funds, taking public comment, and hearing oral arguments.
The court created the task force in October 2019 to review the IOTA program and to “give priority consideration to the need for funding direct legal services for low-income litigants.” It was also directed to look at alternatives to distributing IOTA funds; whether priorities, requirements, and limitations should be set for IOTA expenditures; and whether reporting requirements should be set for IOTA spending.
The changes approved by the court:
• Set overhead limits on the Foundation and legal aid offices receiving its grants at 15% each (the task force had proposed 10% for the legal aid offices).
• Allow technology and training expenses that support direct provision of legal services to be omitted from the overhead calculations.
• Require that IOTA be devoted primarily to the provision of direct legal services but expanded the definition of what constitutes direct services.
• Require the Foundation to distribute all IOTA funds collected in one fiscal year within six months of the start of the following fiscal year.
• Require the Foundation to separately account for IOTA income from other funds it receives and distributes.
• Set enhanced reporting requirements for both the Foundation and recipient legal aid offices on how they spend IOTA funds.
A review of the rule amendments’ impact will automatically be conducted beginning July 1, 2023.