About LAGBAC Foundation
The LAGBAC Foundation provides education to both the public and legal professionals about legal issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning persons. Through its educational initiatives and scholarship programs, the Foundation also seeks to improve access to the legal and judicial system for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning persons.
The Foundation, in conjunction with LAGBAC, awards scholarship grants to support full-time employment at a qualified LGBTQ+/civil rights organization during the summer. First, second and third year law students are encouraged to apply. Scholarship grants have recently ranged from $3,000 to $4,000. Applications are generally due end of first quarter/beginning of second quarter of each year. Past scholarship recipients have participated in a variety of organizations with a broad range of responsibilities.
LAGBAC Foundation scholarship grants can be used to supplement other funding a recipient may receive for public interest work above and beyond the required 300 hours; however, the recipient must disclose any other funding sources and preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need or lack other dedicated funding for summer work. All scholarship grants will be awarded by the LAGBAC Foundation Board of Directors.
The Foundation is governed by its own board of directors and the Foundation can be contacted at foundation@lagbac.org.
Contributions to LAGBAC Foundation
Do you have a programming idea to help educate LGBTQ+ legal professionals or the community at large? Contact us at foundation@lagbac.org.
The LAGBAC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Tax deductible contributions are welcome here. The LAGBAC Foundation Bylaws are available here at Foundation Bylaws.
Make donation checks payable to:
The LAGBAC Foundation
P.O. Box 423
Chicago, Illinois 60690
LAGBAC Foundation Board Members
Nick Furtwengler (President)
Jeremy Gray
Ray Koenig
Chris McAdam
Jim Nawrocki
Gavin Quinn
Adam Miel Zebelian
LAGBAC Foundation Scholarship Programs
Summer Scholarship Program
- Three scholarships for $6,000 each
- 10 weeks, 40 hours each week
- Awardees intern at one of the following organizations:
- Lambda Legal sponsored by Kirkland & Ellis
- Legal Council for Health Justice sponsored by Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg
- TransLife CareProgram at Chicago House and Social Service Agency
- Howard Brown Health sponsored by Schiff Hardin
- Administered by Public Interest Law Initiative
Semester Scholarship Program
- Two scholarships for $3,000 (one scholarship
awarded for each semester) - 200 hours of work during the semester
- Semester one awardee interns at Heartland Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center sponsored by DLA Piper
- Semester two awardee interns at Heartland Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center sponsored by Seyfarth
- Administered by Public Interest Law Initiative
Cook County Public Defender Summer Scholarship Program
- Two scholarships for $3,000 each
- 10 weeks, 40 hours each week
- Application deadline is roughly end of April for summer internship
- Requires complete CCPD application process
- Awardee interns at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office sponsored by Chapman and Cutler
- Administered jointly by LAGBAC Foundation and CCPD
Cook County State’s Attorney Summer Scholarship Program
- Two scholarships for $3,000 each
- 10 weeks, 40 hours each week
- Deadline is roughly end of April for summer internship
- Requires complete CCSAO application process
- Awardee interns at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office sponsored by Leydig, Voit and Mayer
- Administered jointly by LAGBAC Foundation and CCSAO
Lavender Law Scholarship Stipend
- Up to five stipends ranging between $200 and $500 each
- Available to all law students with priority given to active LAGBAC student board members
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Check emails from LAGBAC for information or email azebelian@lagbac.org.
