Truman Q. McNulty Grant Guidelines and Instructions

​To ensure your grant application receives consideration, please take a few minutes to read through the information below. Please contact us if you have questions about the process.​​

Truman Q. McNulty Grants Cycle

*If the deadline falls on a weekend or U.S. Post Office holiday, the deadline is 5:00 p.m. on the next business day.

Points to Consider Before Submitting a Grant Application

• Grant applications must support at least one aspect of our mission:
  • Promote public understanding of the law;
  • Improve the administration of justice;
  • Provide law-related public service.
• The Truman Q. McNulty grant cycle follows our fiscal year (begins July 1, ends June 30.) Grants are awarded once a year and are not awarded outside of the grant cycle.
• Grant requests should be for a single project/program.
• Only one grant application per non-profit is allowed per fiscal year.
• Application must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first Friday in April.
• All grant requests will be notified of grant decision by May 31st.
• Grant funding checks will be mailed to grantees by June 30th.
• Grant funds must be used within 12 months of the date of award notification. Grants unable to complete their project within that timeline must contact the Foundation Director for a six-month extension.
• A Final Grant Report is required by February 1st.
• If a grantee refuses to meet the conditions imposed by the Foundation, the offered grant may be withdrawn.
• If you are unsure whether your project/program is an appropriate fit for our grants program, we suggest reviewing our past grant recipients to see the types of activities have been funded in the past.

The Foundation Favors Grant Activities or Goals that:

• Provide innovative law-related education and that do not duplicate similar services provided in that location.
• Address unmet needs or provide services in outlying geographic areas.
• Encourage and promote legal assistance to poor and disadvantaged people.
• Address the diverse ethnic and geographic needs of Wisconsin residents.
• Have a statewide impact.
• Encourage pro bono legal work.
• Help members of the public understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
• Enhance the ethical and professional practice of law.
• Strengthen the court system or the administration of justice.
• Enhance professionalism and ethics in the legal profession.
• Produce legal research, publications, or forums that serve the legal community.

The Foundation Does Not Grant Awards For:

• Project/programs outside of Wisconsin.
• An individual’s personal expenses, or for personal benefit.
• General organizational funding, operating costs, general overhead, or to pay salaries.
• Direct service programs (e.g., counseling, drug treatment, etc.)
• Propaganda, lobbying activities, or the election of public officials.
• Fundraising benefits or mass appeal solicitations.
• Additions to endowments.

Grant Application Checklist

What to Include in Your Grant Application:

• One page cover letter describing the project/program, and the amount of funding being requested.
• A completed Application Fillable Form (This form is in Microsoft Word format. If you need assistance, please contact us.)
• Recommended Support Documents:
  • A Project/Program Budget, including:
    • A detailed and itemized budget for the project/program;
    • Expected project expenses and revenue;
    • Descriptions of other funding sources and/or efforts to obtain funding for the project;
    • Details about how Foundation funds will be used.
  • Completed W-9 form.
  • Tax exempt status form (if applicable to your organization).
  • Statement of financial position (balance sheet).
  • List of board members and/or organization staff working on the project/program (including their contact information).
  • A reasonable amount of reports and/or promotional materials that support the project/program (will be reviewed by the grants committee as time permits).
• How to submit your application:
  • Deadline: Your application must be in the Foundation office by 5:00 p.m. on the first Friday in April.
  • Email your application and support materials to:
    WLF-Fellows@wisbar.org.
  • If you prefer, you can mail your application and support materials to:
    Wisconsin Law Foundation
    Attn: Beth Drake
    PO Box 7158
    Madison, WI 53707-7158