Montana Justice Foundation

Community education & grantee support: the mjf is a convening force that fosters innovation. With our strong ties to the state bar, our solid relationship with the court system, and our important role in the access to justice, public interest law and philanthropic communities, the mjf has an exceptional ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to innovatively address the common needs and collective challenges facing legal aid organizations and tackle systemic barriers to access to justice. Through community education & grantee support the mjf reaches out to montana's local communities, corporations, and government to raise awareness of the importance of and need for civil legal aid and access to justice initiatives in the state.

Loan repayment assistance program (lrap): the foundation makes loans to individuals through the foundations loan repayment assistance program (legal aid loans). This program is for law school graduates dedicated to providing legal aid to low-income individuals and families in montana, and assists legal aid lawyers working for montana legal aid organizations by reducing the burden of significant debt incurred to finance their law school education. A maximum loan amount of $2,500 per year may be awarded. Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. There are two enrollment periods. The first enrollment period has an application deadline of may 15. Applicants approved under this enrollment period will receive disbursements semi-annually in july and january. The second enrollment period has an application deadline of november 15. Applicants approved under this enrollment period will receive disbursements semi-annually in january and july. The foundation expects to forgive substantially all of the loans. Accordingly, the outstanding loan balance is offset by an allowance. These loans do not accrue interest.

Other program service: law related education and other law related program service activities