LCBA Foundation 2021 Recap

Making a meaningful impact in the community

by shannon puopolo esq.

Iam excited to take on the role of President of the Lee County Bar Association Foundation (the “Foundation”). Through the generous support of LCBA members, the Foundation has made a meaningful impact in our community. In 2016, the Executive Committee established the Foundation as a sister organization, to serve as the charitable arm of the LCBA. While the LCBA has a long history of contributing to community and charitable organizations, the Executive Committee felt it was important to establish a lasting, consistent grant cycle to better serve the community need. In 2021, the Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $63,000 to community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Advocacy Center, Foster Care Advisory Services, Guardian ad Litem – 20th Judicial Circuit, NAMI, and United Way. Each grant supports a pillar of the Foundation’s mission, focusing on assistance to the indigent, children’s programs, education about the law, and scholarships. We notified organizations of awards in January 2021 and Foundation Board members visited grantees around the county in February 2021. Grantees submitted an annual report to provide feedback on how they used the grant. For example, Blessings in a Backpack stated because of the grant award, “we were able to continue to feed all 500 children at Tice Elementary supplemental weekend meals due to your generosity.” In addition to grant allocations, the Foundation held ad hoc fundraisers for under-funded organizations, such as Project Dentist Care. Local attorneys Jim Kelleher, John Miller, Scott Atwood, and John Webb volunteered for the dunk tank at the LCBA Annual BBQ & Shrimp Boil, which raised over $500 for dental services to the indigent, including those exiting correctional facilities.

In 2021, the Foundation also hosted two signature fundraising events. The Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held in May at the Forest Country Club, had a record 148 participants and raised over $28,500 for community grants. The Foundation Wine and Cheese tasting was held in December at the Golden Rind and raised over $2,500. Recently, the Foundation completed its 2021/2022 grant cycle and awarded $50,000 in grants to 21 local nonprofits. While we were thrilled to fulfill many grant requests, the need in our community is significant and we were unable to fully fund all grant requests. With that in mind, we plan to hold additional ad hoc fundraisers in 2022 in hopes of funding additional grants. Looking ahead to the coming year, the Foundation will hold a check presentation for grantees at the February LCBA luncheon so members can learn more about the direct impact of the Foundation. The golf tournament has also been set for May 14, 2022, so mark your calendars! THANK YOU to LCBA members for your continued support of the Foundation and its community grantees! If anyone would like to become more involved with the Foundation or has questions, please contact me at (239) 344-1116.

Lee County Bar Foundation By the Numbers:

Foundation Board Members – 9 members confirmed by the LCBA Executive Board Firms/Organizations Represented on the Board – Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt, P.A.; Pavese Law Firm; Martin Law Firm; John Webb Legal Group; Aloia, Roland, Lubell and Morgan; and 20th Judicial Circuit Public Defenders Office.

Association Board Member Support in 2021 – more than $18,000 Grants Provided in 2021 – $63,000 Total Grants Provided – over $150,000

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