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Celebrating 75 Years of Service, Justice, & Impact

This year marks a monumental milestone — the Columbus Bar Foundation is turning 75! For decades, we've been committed to advancing access to justice, supporting legal education, and strengthening our community through the power of law. 

From funding vital legal aid programs to nurturing the next generation of attorneys, the Foundation’s legacy is built on the belief that justice should be accessible to all.  

Join us in honoring the stories, the people, and the progress that have defined the last 75 years — and help us look ahead to the future we’re building together. 

Stay tuned for anniversary events, special features, and ways to get involved! 

Learn More
Logo of the Columbus Bar Foundation. Large dark blue letters CBF with a column integrated into the letter F. Below, a dark blue rectangle with the words Columbus Bar Foundation in white capital letters.

Existing Columbus Bar Foundation Funds

Carpenter Visitation and Memorial Fund

This fund was created to provide aid and comfort to lawyers who are seriously ill and to provide appropriate recognition to deceased members of the central Ohio legal community.

Chester Family Professionalism Fund

Supports the Chester Family Professionalism Institute.

Columbus Bar Association Alliance Fund

Supports the philanthropic works of the Columbus Bar Association Alliance such as Kids Voting, the OWjL Mock Trial program and the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy.

Columbus Bar Association Fund

Provides seed money and ongoing support to the philanthropic interests of the Columbus Bar Association.

The Stephen and Lisa Eschleman Fund

Provides ongoing financial support to the Law and Leadership Institute, a state-wide initiative in collaboration with the legal community that inspires and prepares students from underserved communities for post-secondary and professional success through a comprehensive four-year academic program in law, leadership, analytical thinking, problem solving, writing skills and professionalism.

Horst, Theodore L. Memorial Fund

Supports the Columbus Bar Association’s CLE program in the areas of estate planning and probate law.

Judicial Legacy Fund

The Judicial Legacy Fund will accept gifts in memory of members of the judiciary upon their death or retirement from the bench, or to commemorate their significant service to the community. All donated funds will be used by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees to advance justice in central Ohio in ways not adequately supported by the current governmental funding of the court system.

Law Library Fund

The Law Library Fund was created to increase access to the justice system by providing support for assisted pro se especially in the areas of sealing criminal records and landlord-tenant disputes. The Law Library Fund will also be used to support the Columbus Law Library which continues to be a resource to the public as well as the legal community.

Lawyer to Lawyer Fund

The Lawyer to Lawyer Fund was created by a local lawyer to provide much needed financial assistance to central Ohio lawyers who are temporarily or permanently disabled due to illness or an accident or who have suffered some other type of adversity. Based on previous requests for financial assistance, it is anticipated that individualgrants will be less than $10,000 and could include such needs as payment of health insurance premiums for a lawyer who is no longer able to work due to an accident or illness; paying the monthly office rent until a disabled attorney can return to work; establishing temporary offices because of fire or flooding; or hiring an attorney to review files and close cases for an attorney who has been mentally or physically disabled.

Open Books Open Minds Fund

Provides books, computers and other educational materials to the Franklin County Juvenile Court and Detention Facility.

Professional Diversity Fund

Supports the Columbus Bar Association’s diversity in the profession initiative.

Schermer, Marsha Rockey Memorial Scholarship Fund

This fund is a need based scholarship for women and minority law students.

Women Lawyers of Franklin County Fund

The Women Lawyers of Franklin County Fund provides law school scholarships.

Donate Now!

If you have questions about donating, please contact Dr. CeCe Harris, Development Director at CeCe@cbalaw.org or (614) 340-2061.

Donate Now!