The Boston Bar Foundation Society of Fellows is a dedicated group of over 500 individual donors who share a common goal: advancing justice, strengthening our profession and expanding access to legal resources for those who need it most. Fellows are the driving force behind the Boston Bar Foundation’s impact, supporting critical legal services, educational initiatives, and efforts to build a more inclusive legal profession.
Expanding Access to Justice: Going Beyond Grants
Each year, the Boston Bar Foundation awards over $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that provide essential legal services in housing, immigration, domestic violence, veterans’ support, and children’s rights. Through a strategic and data-driven approach, our grants address the most pressing legal needs in our community—helping thousands across Massachusetts secure the legal representation they deserve.
Our commitment to this work extends beyond financial support. We collaborate with grantees to develop responsive programming, pro bono training, and critical legal resources—ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.
Building a Better Profession: Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders
The next generation of lawyers will shape the future of our profession. The BBF fosters civic engagement and public service through initiatives like the Public Interest Leadership Program (PILP) and our Career Fair, supporting young attorneys from the very beginning of their careers.
Championing Opportunity: Empowering All Lawyers
A strong legal profession is built on opportunity, support, and growth. The BBF has long championed initiatives that create opportunities for attorneys from all backgrounds, offering mentorship, career advancement, and professional development to ensure all lawyers have the resources they need to succeed.
Fellows commit to a financial pledge at one of seven giving levels (from $10,000-$100,000), payable over time. While gifts are unrestricted, donors may direct their contributions to specific areas of interest.
Fellows receive invitations to the Adams Benefit honoree reception and the annual Society of Fellows event. Those who have completed their pledges at an elevated level receive complimentary tickets to the Adams Benefit and other major events.
Your investment in the Society of Fellows helps the Boston Bar Foundation continue to build a fairer, more just future for our community and profession. Join us in making a lasting impact.
‡Denotes deceased members of the Society of Fellows
**Denotes Sustaining members of the Society of Fellows
*Denotes completed pledges
Hear From Our Fellows
I am proud to have joined the Society of Fellows and support the Boston Bar Foundation, especially its important work with families, individuals and those in the underserved communities throughout our Commonwealth. I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting BBF and its work by becoming a Fellow.
Hear From Our Fellows
Participating in the Society of Fellows has given me a direct way to see our contributions at work. Lawyers in particular know how important legal services are to ensuring access to justice throughout our community. I’m proud to be part of funding the BBF, so that it can continue its long-term leadership role.
Hear From Our Fellows
The BBF’S work is vital to the Commonwealth and those in need of access to justice. For me, becoming a Fellow was an easy decision to make – I can’t think of a better way to support an organization that provides such essential services.
Hear From Our Fellows
The BBF’s mission to support pro bono work and access to justice for Boston’s needy is so critical to us as lawyers and citizens, and I am really grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with the BBF and the Society.
Hear From Our Fellows
I encourage anyone who doesn’t know about the BBF to attend a session where grantees speak of their work, the importance of the BBF’s support, and its impact on access to justice in our community. I doubt that anyone who attends can walk away without feeling inspired by and energized about the BBF’s mission.
Hear From Our Fellows
I joined the Society of Fellows because I wanted to support the Boston Bar Foundation in promoting access to justice, and in offering projects that support the community. Working as a sole practitioner, I’m glad to be able to offer pro bono services. Being a member of the Society of Fellows is a great complement, and is important to me, because of the work the BBF does to help even more people, and local students, with programs such as Law Day in the Schools and the Summer Jobs Program.
Hear From Our Fellows
I consider providing meaningful access to legal services to all to be one of my responsibilities as an attorney. As a Junior Fellow I have joined with others to fulfill that responsibility by supporting the Boston Bar Foundation in its commitment to fund and promote innovation in legal services and expand access to justice for the underserved.
Our Donors
We are grateful to the hundreds of BBA members who annually support the work we do to serve our city and expand access to justice for those in need. Whether through a contribution to the Annual Campaign or support of a specific project or initiative, our donors make possible a range of projects and programs that have a profound impact in our community.
