Multnomah Bar Foundation

Promoting Civics Education and Community Understanding of our Legal System

Founded in 2005, the Multnomah Bar Foundation (MBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The mission of the MBF is to increase the public’s understanding of the legal system; to promote civic education, public participation and respect for the law; to improve the quality and administration of the legal system; and to support programs and projects related to the MBF ’s purpose.

The MBF has established two dedicated funds described below: the MBA 100th Anniversary Community Gift Fund and Multnomah CourtCare. For more information about the MBF, these funds or how to make a contribution, contact Pamela Hubbs at 503.222.3275 or pamela@mbabar.org.

 

MBA 100th Anniversary Community Gift Fund

Created as a means for lawyers to give back to their community, this fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations whose civic and law-related education programs support the mission of the MBF. The fund was established in commemoration of the MBA's 100 years of service to the legal profession and community. View a full list of contributors here.

To make a donation to the 100th Anniversary Community Gift Fund, please donate now or contact Pamela Hubbs at 503.222.3275 or pamela@mbabar.org.

Gifts to the foundation are fully tax-deductible. Tax ID 20-2738888.

Multnomah CourtCare

The MBF supports the annual operations of a free child care facility at the Multnomah County Courthouse. It is open to families who cannot afford child care and have business at the courthouse. The program is funded by $25,000 in annual grants from the Oregon Department of Justice and Multnomah County and approximately $100,000 in private funding from the Portland area legal community. Volunteers of America (VOA) Oregon operates the daycare. To learn more about the program and how you can help, visit our CourtCare page.

Thomas C. Sand , MBF President (pictured above)

Tom was the managing partner at Miller Nash from 1999-2007 and is currently the leader of the firm's litigation practice group. An attorney with the firm since 1977, Tom focuses his practice on general trial practice and civil litigation, with emphasis on securities, employment and other commercial matters.

Inspiring Engaged Citizens conference - May 13, 2009

On May 13, the MBF hosted representatives from Bus Project, City Club, League of Women Voters, Oregon Community Foundation and Urban League to discuss opportunities to work together to create new programs advance civics education in Multnomah County. The half-day summit encouraged the groups to work Participants included members from both the MBF and MBA boards.

 

A follow-up meeting is planned for late summer to brainstorm program and project ideas and hone the focus of the resulting coalition or partnerships.

Inspiring Engaged Citizens conference - May 13, 2009          

Standing from left:

Barbara Fredericks, Second Vice President, League of Women Voters of Portland; Howard Moriah, Director of Education and Marcus Mundy, President and CEO, Urban League of Portland; Charity Fain, Executive Director, City Club of Portland; Leslie Kay, MBA President; Michael Greene, MBF Development Committee Chair; Gwen Millius, Volunteer, City Club of Portland; Lucy Palmersheim, Development Director, Bus Project; Judge Adrienne Nelson, MBF President; Andrew Schpak, MBA YLS Immediate Past President. 

Seated from left:

Betsy Pratt, President, League of Women Voters of Portland; Marge Easley, President, League of Women Voters of Oregon; Caitlin Baggott, Acting Executive Dirctor, Bus Project; Jeff Anderson, Senior Program Officer, Oregon Community Foundation; Katherine O’Neil, MBF Board Director.

2010 Grant Cycle

Information and application guidelines for the 2010 grant cycle may be found here.

2009 Grant Cycle

In its most generous giving cycle to date, the MBF has awarded a combined $41,375 to six nonprofit organizations serving Multnomah County. Grants awarded in 2009

Past Grantees

Since 2006, the 100th Anniversary Community Gift Fund has given over $97,000 in grant funding. Grants awarded 2006 - 2008