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THE NEW YORK BAR FOUNDATION
ALBANY, NY · EIN 146029915 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE I128 · Crime & Legal-Related · Medium ($1M-$10M) · tnybf.org
revenue
$2.6M
expenses
$2.0M
net assets
$13.0M
employees
0
volunteers
47
program ratio
47%
mission · from form 990

THE FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO ADVANCE LEGAL RESEARCH AND (CONTINUTED ON SCHEDULE O) EDUCATION, TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITY AND SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. TO CULTIVATE THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF THE LAW, THE COURTS AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION. TO ENCOURAGE BETTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF OUR LEGAL HERITAGE. TO AID IN MAKING LEGAL INSTITUTIONS MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST. TO SPONSOR STUDIES, CONFERENCES, PUBLICATIONS, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER MEANS OF DISCOURSE, COMMUNICATION, AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS APPROPRIATE TO THE FOREGOING.

profile · synthesized from sources

The New York Bar Foundation advances legal research, education, and the administration of justice in New York State. It provides grants to civil legal services organizations addressing critical needs such as housing, family law, and consumer debt, while also supporting the legal profession through scholarships and fellowships for law students. The foundation promotes professional ethics, public understanding of the law, and access to justice, particularly for underserved populations.

named programs · 9 · from sources

What they call their work

Force for Justice Award
Honors distinguished legal professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to justice, the rule of law, and public service
Grant Program
Provides funding to civil legal services organizations in New York State focusing on areas such as housing, family law, consumer debt, elder law, and veterans' issues
Hon. Charles L. Brieant, Jr. Fellowship
Summer internship for New York law students with the federal courts, honoring public service and judicial excellence
Hon. Joel K. Asarch Elder Law and Special Needs Section Scholarship
Supports law students in New York who demonstrate interest in elder law and special needs legal advocacy
Hon. Judith S. Kaye Children and the Law Committee Scholarship
Provides financial support to youth aging out of foster care with a permanency goal of APPLA
Jana Springer Behe Corporate Counsel Section Fellowship
Provides diverse law students with in-house legal practice experience through summer placements
Kay Crawford Murray Commercial Division Diversity Fellowship
Offers summer litigation experience in the public sector for diversity law students in New York
Leadership Laureate Series
Statewide recognition program celebrating prominent judges and legal leaders, launched during the Foundation’s 75th anniversary
The Norman Effman Scholarship
Supports law students committed to practicing law in rural areas representing indigent clients in family, criminal, or civil legal matters
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Democracy and Civic Engagement Support 1 activity
    • Advocating for access to justice and democratic values
      Advances efforts to promote access to justice, advocate for the rule of law, and strengthen democratic values through public recognition, partnerships, and public engagement initiatives.
  • Legal Profession Standards Advocacy 1 activity
    • Conducting research and educational programming to improve the justice system
      Sponsors studies, conferences, and publications to advance legal research and education, improve the administration of justice, promote professional ethics, preserve legal history, and enhance public understanding of the legal system.
  • General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding civil legal services for underserved populations
      Awards grants to over 100 legal services organizations, bar associations, and nonprofits across New York State to support civil legal assistance, including programs addressing family law, housing, consumer debt, elder law, veterans issues, and disability rights. In recent years, awarded $600,000 in grant funding to support these services.
  • Legal Education Scholarships and Fellowships 1 activity
    • Funding legal education and scholarship programs
      Provides scholarships to law students, particularly those committed to public service and serving rural communities, and supports legal education initiatives through grant funding and recognition programs.
  • Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
    • Managing Fellow engagement and fundraising initiatives
      Secures charitable contributions from Fellows through a tiered donation structure and engages them in identifying potential grant projects and causes to support the Foundation’s mission.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Recognizing leadership in the legal profession and promoting public understanding of law
      Hosts the Leadership Laureate Series and presents awards such as the Force for Justice Award to honor distinguished legal professionals and highlight contributions to civil legal assistance, legal education, and justice system improvement.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
    • Supporting access to justice through special and emergency grant initiatives
      Initiated special fundraising and out-of-cycle grant programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support urgent legal needs and expand access to justice during times of crisis.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Capital campaigns and infrastructure development for the New York State Bar Center
      Conducted multiple capital campaigns, including raising $25 million (in today’s dollars) and co-raising $1.9 million with the Association, to construct and expand the New York State Bar Center at Elk Street.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.64M
Contributions & grants$1.54M58%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.11M42%
Other revenue$-9K
expenses
Total expenses$1.97M
Program expenses47%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising34%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$839K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$13.11M
Cash$1.26M
Investments$8.00M
Liabilities$72K
Net assets$13.03M
Liquid reserves56.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +139.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PAMELA MCDEVITT SECRETARY 2 $403K
board members · 21
  • C BRUCE LAWRENCE — TREASURER
  • CARLA M PALUMBO — IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
  • DAVID C SINGER — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID M SCHRAVER — VICE PRESIDENT
  • DONALD C DOERR — VICE CHAIR OF THE FELLOWS
  • ELLEN G MAKOFSKY — DIRECTOR
  • ELLIS R MIRSKY — DIRECTOR
  • GIOIA A GENSINI — DIRECTOR
  • HON CHERYL E CHAMBERS — PRESIDENT
  • ILENE S COOPER — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES B KOBAK JR — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES R BARNES — CHAIR OF THE FELLOWS
  • JOHN P CHRISTOPHER — DIRECTOR
  • JUNE M CASTELLANO — DIRECTOR
  • LAUREN E SHARKEY — DIRECTOR
  • LAUREN J WACHTLER — VICE CHAIR OF THE FELLOWS
  • LUCIA B WHISENAND — ASST. SECRETARY
  • MIRNA M SANTIAGO — DIRECTOR
  • SUSAN B LINDENAUER — CHIEF PUBLICITY OFFICER
  • VINCENT E DOYLE III — DIRECTOR
  • WILLIAM T RUSSELL JR — ASST. TREASURER
relationships · 12

Who they work with

  • Appellate Division, Third Department Government — Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry of the Appellate Division, Third Department, is providing remarks at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Fellows.
  • Brooklyn Defender Services Partner — Supported by the Foundation through funding and collaboration to advance access to justice.
  • Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. Partner — Partner organization receiving grant funding to support legal services for people with disabilities.
  • Nassau County Bar Association Lawyers Assistance Program Partner — Nonprofit organization that has received a grant from The New York Bar Foundation to support civil legal assistance.
  • New York State Bar Association Network — Collaborates with the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.
  • New York State Bar Association Network — House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association constitutes the membership of The New York Bar Foundation.
  • New York State Bar Association Network — Longstanding partnership through which the Foundation supports scholarships and collaborates on justice initiatives.
  • New York State Bar Association Network — The New York Bar Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the New York State Bar Association.
  • New York State Bar Association Network — The number of Fellows is limited to one percent of the New York State Bar Association membership in each of the state’s 13 judicial districts.
  • Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C. Partner — Sponsored the Leadership Laureate Series event on July 29, 2025, and hosted it at their offices in Uniondale.
  • The Fellows of The New York Bar Foundation Network — Established as a giving group within the Foundation; members hold ex officio board seats and participate in pro bono and fundraising initiatives.
  • The New York State Bar Association Network — Collaborates with donors and sections of The New York State Bar Association to fund fellowships and scholarships for law students.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Leadership Recognition to Amplify Access to Justice
    methodology: leadership-recognition
    By publicly honoring distinguished legal professionals and women leaders, the Foundation increases visibility for access-to-justice work and inspires future generations to pursue public service, because recognition rituals generate role models and cultural momentum that expand support for legal services and diversify the profession.
  • Legal Pipeline Development for Equity and Representation
    methodology: pipeline-development
    By funding fellowships and scholarships for law students from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the Foundation diversifies the legal profession and strengthens public service capacity, because early financial and experiential support removes barriers to entry and fosters long-term commitment to justice-oriented careers.
  • Legal Research and Discourse to Improve Justice Administration
    methodology: discourse_and_publication
    By sponsoring studies, conferences, and publications, the Foundation advances legal knowledge and professional ethics, because structured discourse and research generate evidence-based reforms and strengthen the capacity of the legal system to serve the public equitably.
  • Rule of Law as a Framework for Systemic Legal Reform
    methodology: rule-of-law
    By centering its advocacy and grantmaking on the principle of the Rule of Law, the Foundation addresses systemic inequities and advances racial justice, because this unifying framework enables coherent, principled action across diverse legal initiatives and promotes accountability, equity, and public trust in the justice system.
  • Strategic Grantmaking to Strengthen Justice Systems
    methodology: strategic grantmaking
    By directing philanthropic resources toward high-impact legal initiatives and leveraging the expertise of legal professionals, the Foundation advances access to justice and strengthens the rule of law, because targeted funding guided by field expertise increases the effectiveness and reach of justice-oriented programs.