The wisconsin trust account foundation is dedicated to equal access to the civil justice system. The foundation funds legal services for low-income persons through the fair and effective administration of interest from lawyers trust accounts and other sources.

Crime & Law , Legal Services

In 2017, the foundation made "foundation grants" (pilsf, pro hac vice, iolta) to fourteen legal services agencies to assist low-income individuals and families with civil legal needs, such as family, housing, employment, disability, and consumer issues. No revenues are derived directly from these activities. The interest on lawyers trust accounts (iolta) program covers administrative costs in accordance with wisconsin supreme court rules chapter 13. in 2017, the foundation contracted with the wisconsin department of children and families (dcf) to administer subcontracts with fourteen legal services and domestic violence agencies to assist tanf-eligible clients with civil legal services related to domestic violence and/or sexual assault. The foundation received administrative fees totaling 10% of the total contracted award to use toward the cost of the management activities in accordance with the agreed-upon plan approved by dcf. in 2017, the foundation granted funds to six legal services agencies providing foreclosure prevention legal assistance to wisconsin residents. The source of these grants were bank of america settlement funds received by the foundation in 2015 and 2016.