Welcome to the NCBF website!

The National Conference of Bar Foundations is the professional organization for volunteer leaders and executive staff members who serve the more than 200 local, state and specialty bar foundations throughout the nation.Our mission is to improve the administration of justice and the court system as the philanthropic organizations for the legal profession and the judiciary.

NCBF has a wide variety of programs and services that are available for our members, including:

  • Education Seminars
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Best Practices
  • Communications - Listserv, email blasts, website
  • The Complete Guide to Bar Foundations
  • Surveys and Statistical Reports
  • Forms and Procedures Bank
  • Governance and Financial Policies

The NCBF Board of Trustees is a diverse group of bar foundation leaders from all types and all sizes of bar foundations from across the nation. The experienced staff of the American Bar Association's Division for Bar Services provides the necessary guidance and assistance. Please contact me regarding any NCBF matter.

NCBF- the organization of bar foundation professionals that works to meet the needs of the legal community and our citizens.

Amy Sings In The Timber, NCBF President


The Complete Guide to Bar Foundations is a free member benefit to all NCBF members. The guide contains sound advice and information along with sample policies that you can adapt to fit your foundation's needs.

Table of contents

Co-Sponsor of the NCBF/LexisNexis "Partnerships for Success" Award

Call for Nominations for the 2013 NCBF/LexisNexis Partnerships for Success Award

Nominations for the 2013 Partnerships for Success Award are open until May 6, 2013. Please see the description and criteria and complete the Nomination Form as instructed. The award will be presented at the NCBP/NABE/NCBF Joint Awards Luncheon on Friday, August 9, in San Francisco. The award-winning bar foundation will make a presentation to the NCBF membership at the Saturday morning program.

2013 NCBF Annual Meeting, August 8-10, San Francisco

Plan now to attend the 2013 annual meeting and leave your heart in San Francisco! All business meetings and programs will be held at the Hilton Union Square Hotel.

Recent Listserve Q&A

What types of programs does your Bar Foundation run and/or what types of programs does your Bar Foundation fund through grants?

NCBF's Surveys

NCBF Members Only resources feature surveys covering a range of topics, ncluding the national impact bar foundation funding has on legal services and the administration of justice, and executive compensation.

If you are a member, you can access the surveys here with the member password. If you are not a member, learn more here.

Bar Foundations in Action

Pictured with Crowder Fellow Ophelia Battle and Birmingham Bar Foundation Executive Director Nikki Tucker Thomas are members of the law firm of Cory Watson, left to right: Rick DiGiorgio, Leila Watson, Ophelia Battle, Ernest Cory, Nikki Tucker Thomas and Doug Dellaccio.

In partnership with the Birmingham Bar Foundation, the law firm of Cory, Watson, Crowder & DeGaris created a memorial fund to honor one of its partners. The fund provides a stipend to college students to intern with the Bar Foundation. Last summer, the first Crowder Fellow was Ophelia C. Battle, a senior at Loyola University New Orleans. Ophelia had also been part of the student team from Loyola’s Shawn M. Donnelley Center for Nonprofit Communications that had presented a marketing workshop at the NCBF 2012 midyear meeting.

For more information, please contact: bbfound@bellsouth.net.