ALA Capital Chapter Foundation

The ALA Capital Chapter has a rich history of giving back to the community. In November 1997 the Chapter created the ALA Capital Chapter Foundation to provide a permanent funding vehicle for the Chapter's charitable and community service activities. The Foundation operates under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and its primary program is the Toni K. Allen Scholarship.

Governance

The Foundation Board is comprised of a President, President-Elect, Secretary, Secretary-Elect, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect and a Trustee. One of these positions is always filled by the Chapter's Immediate Past President. Trustees are appointed to a three-year term.

Click here to view the current Board of Directors.

While the Foundation is a separate entity from the Chapter, and operates under the direction of its own Board and By-Laws, the Board works closely with the Chapter Executive Committee with the Vice President of Community Services. Foundation programs are run exclusively in support of the ALA Capital Chapter's Mission.

Contributions

To make a tax-deductible contribution to support the Foundation's programs, please send your check, made payable to ALA Capital Chapter Foundation, to:

ALA Capital Chapter Foundation
1250 Connecticut Ave NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution via credit card.

The Toni K. Allen Scholarship Program

The ALA Capital Chapter Foundation has been granting college scholarships since its inception. In 2003 the Scholarship Program was re-named the Toni K. Allen Scholarship Program in memory of one of the founding members of the Foundation. The Scholarship Program is funded by the Capital Chapter Foundation for the benefit of DC Public and Charter School students, and the program is managed by the Chapter’s Vice-President of Community Services.

The Foundation awards a $15,000 scholarship annually, and additional scholarships of varying amounts may be awarded based on the funds raised each year and the number of highly qualified applicants.

Each year, the Chapter's Vice President of Community Services forms an ad hoc Scholarship Selection Committee comprised of a cross section of Chapter members and business partners. The Committee reviews scholarship applications, interviews candidates, and selects recipients based on a rigorous set of criteria. The results and recommendations of the Scholarship Committee are presented to the Foundation Board for final approval and funding. Scholarship recipients and their parents are honored at an annual Chapter event, allowing all Chapter members and business partners the opportunity to meet these deserving young people.

Members of the Foundation Board and Scholarship Selection Committee mentor scholarship recipients throughout their college careers. Many previous awardees have gone on to graduate from such illustrious universities as Harvard, Princeton and Georgetown.

Click here to learn more about the Toni K. Allen Scholarship.

Annual Fundraiser

The Foundation is primarily funded by the proceeds of an Annual Gala. The Gala is one of the most popular ALA social activities, with varying themes, venues and activities, including a silent auction. In addition to the silent auction, the 2011 Gala featured an electronics raffle and a cash raffle with a top prize of $25,000!

Community Service

Community service is one of the hallmarks of the ALA Capital Chapter, and members and business partners generously volunteer their time and efforts to improve the local community.

Community Challenge Weekend
In 1999 the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) created an annual Community Challenge Weekend (CCW), which was quickly adopted by the Capital Chapter. CCW is an opportunity for members, business partners, and friends of the legal community to come together in support of a common cause. CCW takes place in early October each year, and past activities have included painting, gardening, sorting clothing and cleaning. Stay tuned for more information about dates and activities for 2011.

Lawyers Have Heart (LHH)
The DC legal community comes together each June for the Lawyers Have Heart 10K Run and Fun Walk, benefitting the American Heart Association. Chapter members, member firms and business partners contribute in a number of ways, including staffing a water station each year.