Alabama Civil Justice Foundation awards grant to nonprofit group in Bay Minette
Submitted by Elizabeth A. Citrin
North Baldwin Literacy Council was among the non-profit organizations recently awarded grants from
the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation. Trial lawyers from across the state contributed to the grant. A
check for $1,000 was presented to the North Baldwin Literacy Council in Bay Minette on Feb. 11 by local
attorney Elizabeth A. Citrin.
The grant will be used to support North Baldwin Literacy Council in its mission to “concentrate on
providing the needs of our students as well as our daily operations,” said Director Marilyn Waters. The
North Baldwin Literacy Council provides tutors who confidentially teach adult students how to read.
Alabama trial lawyers contribute greatly to the funding made available for grants such as this one,
according to Citrin.
“Traditionally most of the foundation’s funds come from IOLTAs—Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Accounts,”
explained Citrin. “However, interest rates have been extremely low over the past couple of years and
our ability to provide support to worthwhile charities in Alabama was truly threatened. That’s when the
foundation cut is expenses and initiated its ‘Increasing Our Interest’ campaign. Members of the Alabama
trial Lawyers Association stepped up to more than double the funds available for grants,” she said.
Members of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association created the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation in
1993. Since then, the foundation has awarded $4.6 million in grants, according to Citrin. Statewide,
1,560 attorneys participate with the foundation.