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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    April 01, 2006

    You Can Make an Impact, Too

    The Wisconsin Law Foundation offers lawyers many opportunities to join their colleagues in supporting programs that have a long-lasting, positive impact on Wisconsin citizens and youth. Through membership dues, donor-advised and designated funds, and will provisions, contributors can direct their donations to specific law-related programs.

    Wisconsin LawyerWisconsin Lawyer
    Vol. 79, No. 4, April 2006

    You Can Make an Impact, Too

    The Wisconsin Law Foundation offers lawyers many opportunities to join their colleagues in supporting programs that have a long-lasting, positive impact on Wisconsin citizens and youth. Through membership dues, donor-advised and designated funds, and will provisions, contributors can direct their donations to specific law-related programs.

    "Teen court is an outstanding program I wish everyone could experience. It taught me to be a strong role model even when I feel no one is looking." - Brittany, juror, Clark County Teen Court of Wisconsin

    John DaughertyJohn D. Daugherty, Wisconsin Law Foundation development director, is available to answer your questions and accept your contributions. Reach him at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6038, jdaugherty@wisbar.org, or write to Wisconsin Law Foundation, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158.

    The Wisconsin Law Foundation took a key step forward in 1992 when it converted from an entity producing educational programs to one providing financial support for law-related education and public service programming. With that step, the foundation and its board changed focus. The new focus meant that contributions and annual investment returns would drive the foundation's ability to make grants to fulfill its organizational mission to fund charitable law-related education and public service projects and programs.

    With the 2003 hiring of a full-time professional fund raiser, John Daugherty, the foundation consolidated the efforts of its volunteer fund-raisers to one primary point of contact. Daugherty brought the art of fund-raising in-house, developing fund-raising strategies to increase the number of foundation members, donors, and contributions. Daugherty immediately implemented a consistent donor recognition process and began to visit local bar associations, law firms, and individual lawyers statewide, during which he informed lawyers about the foundation and encouraged them to become foundation members. The foundation also began to regularly communicate with its members via its newsletter Letter of the Law and through its Web site, www.wisbar.org/wlf. With these and other initiatives, membership in the foundation increased 13 percent in fiscal 2005 and has increased another 10 percent thus far in fiscal 2006 to total 825 members. (Only one other year saw more than 800 members; in 2001 foundation membership reached 847 due to its capital campaign).

    In May 2004 the foundation board complemented its ability to make grants by giving donors the opportunity to direct the use of their contributions. In September 2004 the foundation began producing an annual report to showcase the charitable grants the foundation makes, to recognize donors, and to report the foundation's financial status. The foundation also made changes to its grants program, streamlining the application process and establishing reporting requirements for all grant recipients to allow the tracking of grant dollars and their impact.

    Make an impact; become a member. For as little as $50, you can become a member of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. Simply include a minimum $50 charitable gift to the foundation through your State Bar membership statement (the fiscal 2007 dues statement will be mailed in May) or make a donation with a check or credit card payable to the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

    Plan to visit the Wisconsin Law Foundation booth in the Convention Expo during the State Bar Annual Convention, May 3-5, 2006, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Foundation staff and board members will be present to answer your questions, invite your membership, and accept your contributions.


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