The CBF has a long history of working with and funding legal aid and pro bono organizations in Chicago and extensive knowledge of the pro bono and legal aid delivery system.  As a result, the CBF has developed a comprehensive grant screening and evaluation process that carefully vets pro bono and legal aid organizations before they receive grant funding.  A highly-regarded board of lawyers and judges who are broadly representative of Chicago’s legal community, with the assistance of CBF staff with widely recognized expertise on these issues, ensures accountability and strategically allocates grant funds.  The CBF seeks through the grants process to maximize impact; leverage additional support from government and other sources; and promote best practices on common issues and collective challenges facing pro bono and legal aid organization such as management, governance, pro bono and coordination with other organizations.

The CBF is committed to striving for excellence and transparency in all of our work, managing our resources effectively, and adhering to the highest ethical standards in our governance and management. We expect the same of the organizations that we fund and hold ourselves to the same standards as the organizations that we support.