In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name.
The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors met in person in Boca Raton on June 22, 2023. The major actions of the board and reports received included:
Adoption of FY 23-24 Operating Budget
The Budget and Finance Committee recommended, and the board approved, a FY 23-24 operating budget in the total amount of $2,465,235, which represents a 1.8% decrease from the previous year’s budget. It was also reported that projected actual expenses for FY 22-23 were expected to come in under budget by about $300,000. This represents the fifth straight year in which the Foundation has reduced its annual operating budget and come in under budget. In addition, the board adopted a proposed capital budget in the amount of $45,000 for expenses associated with the Foundation’s office building purchased in July 2022. Staff are available to answer any questions or provide further documentation or backup as requested concerning these two budgets.
On a related matter, the Foundation continues to work toward the development of an appropriate methodology for determining the reasonable allocation of direct expenses attributable to its administration of the IOTA rule and the duties and obligations imposed and required under the IOTA Program Rule. To date, the Foundation has not used IOTA collections received since the amended IOTA rule came into effect (July 1, 2020) to pay its operating expenses. Instead, 15% of all IOTA collections received have been placed into a separate account pending further development.
Board awards two sets of Grants and Awards
- Ten Children’s Legal Services Grants Approved
The Children’s Legal Services Program provides grants to children’s legal services programs throughout Florida, both statewide and local. Through this grant program, the Foundation also seeks to engage private volunteer attorneys in the provision of legal assistance to needy children by the funding of pro bono programs. The funding criteria established by the Foundation for these grants are designed to encourage local matching funds and collaboration with other agencies providing services to children and among children’s legal services grantees.
The Board previously approved an allocation of $1,000,000 to fund Children’s Legal Services this fiscal year, which is the same amount as last year’s allocation. The Foundation received 14 applications requesting a total of $1,645,699 (165% of available funding).
A work group initially reviewed and scored all applications independently and thereafter met to review tabulated scoring and budget data. The working group arrived at its funding recommendations, which were presented to the Grants Committee for consideration, which thereafter met, considered and made its recommendations to the board. The board reviewed and approved funding the following projects:
| Applicant | Project | Amount Requested | Amount to be funded |
| Brevard County Legal Aid | 2023 Brevard County Legal Aid Children’s Legal Advocacy Project (CLAP) | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| Cuban American Bar Association Pro Bono Project | CABA Immigrant Children’s Program | $250,000 | $200,000 |
| Dade Legal Aid | 2023-2024 Children’s Legal Collaborative Project (“The Collaborative”) | $125,000 | $100,000 |
| Florida A&M University College of Law | FAMU Guardian Ad Litem Clinic/Children’s Advocacy Project | $100,000 | $58,000 |
| Florida State University College of Law Public Interest Law Center | 2023-24 FSU Vulnerable Children’s Project | $151,000 | $141,000 |
| Lawyers for Children America | Every Lawyer (and Every Law Student) Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Legal Aid of Manasota | Legal Lifeline for Youth | $89,890 | $89,890 |
| Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association | 2023 Mental Health and Crossover Youth: Securing Services and Specialized Placements | $90,000 | $90,000 |
| Legal Services of North Florida | Panhandle Children’s Advocacy Project (PCLA) | $166,159 | $141,722 |
| Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society | Protecting Abused and Neglected Children Legal Project-2023 | $75,000 | $50,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,000,612 |
Special appreciation goes to Retired Justice Peggy Quince, Sarita Courtney Baigorri, Ashley Sybesma, and Brian Currie for their time and thoughtful consideration in reviewing and scoring and assisting staff with this process.
2. Law School Civil Legal Clinic grants awarded to three law schools
Funding allocated by the board for FY 22-23 Law School Civil Clinic Grants (LSCC) was $351,903. Eight applications were received requesting a total of $966,275 (275% of available funding). After review and scoring by a work group and consideration by the Grants Committee, the Board approved funding the three projects as follows:
| Applicant | Project | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Florida A&M University College of Law | Addressing the Racial Wealth Gap Project | $58,000 |
| Florida State University College of Law | 2023 Eliminating Economic Barriers Immigrant and Farmworker Clinic | $125,000 |
| University of Miami School of Law | 2023-24 Detention Project | $93,000 |
| Total | $293,000 |
Choosing three of eight applications for funding was difficult, but the work group tasked with reviewing, scoring and making an initial recommendation concluded that such was the best and most responsible approach. The group noted there was a clear demarcation in scores and a significant difference between the total amount requested and the amount available for funding (making a pro rata distribution impossible in terms of providing meaningful funding).
The work group also felt strongly that the two top scores should be funded in full. The third highest scoring project also had expenses in its proposed budget that did not appear appropriate or relevant to the project. Consequently, the team decided it was better to reduce the funding amount accordingly for that project.
Special appreciation goes to Judge Suzanne Van Wyk, President, and Directors Sarita Courtney Baigorri and Judge Stefanie Moon for taking time out of their busy schedules to assist staff with this process.
Foundation approves the adoption of a new name, subject to further approval
Gary Yordon, Vice Chair of the Overall Review Ad Hoc Committee, presented the Committee’s recommendation regarding the development of a proposed fictitious name for use by the Foundation. A copy of the committee’s full report is on the Foundation’s website. Mr. Yordon’s team created, developed and tested various ideas for a fictitious name with accompanying graphics and taglines. He explained that current, best practices include the use of acronyms, preferably with descriptive taglines relating to the purpose of the entity involved. He further explained that numerous studies show that flow and alliteration are important aspects in developing brand identification, as well as the choice of colors and contrasts.
After introducing the committee’s choice for a fictitious name, Mr. Yordon explained that he believed a strong match between the name and tagline complements the Foundation’s new mission statement adopted by the Board on March 10, 2023:
“To increase access to the justice system for people of limited means, The Florida Bar Foundation funds legal services, develops innovative tools and programs, and supports legal aid providers and the courts.”
It was also explained that the overall purpose of the committee’s work is to position the Foundation so as to better enable it to expand its donor base beyond the legal profession while increasing the public’s awareness of the importance of and need for civil legal aid.
After discussion, the committee’s recommendation and motion that the Board adopt the proposed fictitious name was put forward with a friendly amendment to make such adoption subject to review and approval of the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar. The motion as amended passed.
Passing of the Gavel and thanksgiving for service
Murray Silverstein received the President’s gavel from outgoing President Judge Suzanne Van Wyk. Mr. Silverstein announced his committee assignments and dates for board meetings for FY 23-24 which were ratified by the Board. Mr. Silverstein’s term began July 1, 2023.
President Van Wyk also recognized those members of the board and the Foundation Endowment Trust who were terming off and thanked them for their service and commitment. Those members are:
- Connie Bookman
- John Cardillo, Esq.
- Carl Domino, Esq.
- Kevin McCoy, Esq.
- Jewel White, Esq.
President Van Wyk also announced, welcomed and introduced the following directors:
- Katie Fackler, Esq. who was appointed by The Florida Bar to serve the remainder of a three-year term starting immediately;
- Laura Boeckman, Esq. who was appointed by The Florida Supreme Court to serve the remainder of a three-year term starting immediately;
- Kyle Robisch, Esq., who was appointed by The Florida Supreme Court to serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023;
- Steven Salzer, Esq. who was reappointed by The Florida Supreme Court to serve a second three-year term beginning July 1, 2023;
- Ayana Barrow, Esq. who was appointed by the Foundation to serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023; and
- Joseph Kadow, Esq. who was appointed by the Foundation to serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023.
Next Meeting
The board’s next scheduled meeting will be on September 15, 2023, in Maitland, Florida, in conjunction with its housewarming event on September 14, 2023.
