News & Forums
NCBF September 2025 Forum Newsletter
September 2025
The 2025 NCBF Annual Meeting & Conference Wrap Up
The 2025 NCBF Annual Meeting and Conference, held at the District of Columbia Bar offices in Washington, D.C., was a successful gathering, bringing together bar foundation leaders from across the country to share ideas and advance access to justice.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees for their active participation and dedication, which made the event truly impactful. Highlights included a welcoming Meet & Greet at Arrels, keynote sessions on sustaining leadership in the legal community, and a Friday night dinner at Busboys and Poets, all fostering meaningful connections for future work.
The event was marked by the presentation of the 2025 NCBF Excellence Awards to Mark Holt and Caryn McNeill of the North Carolina Bar Foundation for their $1 million Open Door Fund campaign, the Partnership for Success Award to the DC Bar Foundation for impactful community programs, and a special NCBF Lifetime Achievement Award to NCBF past president, Mary Groth. We also honored past president Beth McElroy and outgoing president, Baillie Milliken.
Below are a few photos capturing the event. For even more moments from the conference, explore the full gallery online by clicking here. Support our ongoing efforts by renewing or joining your NCBF membership for 2025-2026 at ncbf.org.
For Full Gallery Is Click Here.
** Host the Next NCBF Annual Meeting and Conference
Are you interested in hosting our 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference? Contact NCBF President Sang Yup Lee at slee@chicagobarfoundation.org if you are interested and want more information.
** Upcoming Webinars!!!
Stay tuned for our 2025-2026 webinar series, designed to support bar foundation leaders with practical insights and strategies. As a member-driven organization, we want your input on topics that matter to you.
Share your ideas by emailing info@ncbf.org!
Member Spotlight: Minnesota State Bar Foundation (MSBF)
We start off our new fiscal year with a Member Spotlight on the Minnesota State Bar Foundation (MSBF). This is their first-ever spotlight and well deserved! Since its founding in 1957 as the philanthropic arm of the Minnesota State Bar Association, MSBF has been a cornerstone in advancing access to justice across Minnesota. Supported by the MSBA’s 16,000 members—including attorneys, judges, and law students—the foundation drives impact through grants for legal aid clinics, pro bono services, and educational outreach. Click here to go to their spotlight to learn more about their impactful work.
Renew Your Membership
Join or renew your NCBF membership for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to access valuable benefits with no increase in dues. Connect with bar foundation executives and volunteer leaders through Member Connect, access exclusive resources like the Past Meetings, Member Connect, and the Resource Library in the “Members Only” area, and attend conferences and webinars with low or no registration fees. Membership also offers leadership opportunities through NCBF committees, eligibility for awards like the NCBF Excellence Award, and a digital newsletter with actionable insights. Each bar foundation membership includes login privileges for up to three representatives. Invite other foundation leaders to join at ncbf.org.
Help Update the NCBF Resource Library!
We invite members to help refresh the NCBF Resource Library with your latest materials. Share recent bylaws, Impact Reports, newsletters, or other valuable documents to ensure all members benefit from current, high-quality resources. Submit your contributions to info@ncbf.org.
NCBF WANTS TO FEATURE YOU!
NCBF is eager to showcase the outstanding work of bar foundations and their volunteers. Nominate an exemplary program or volunteer for a feature in the Foundation Forum or on NCBF’s social media by emailing info@ncbf.org.