A Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future - LawHelp.org

Message froM the executIve dIrector –
dennIs groenenBooM
The year 2005 was a watershed year marked by a turnround in the financial
outlook for Iowa Legal Aid. For the first time since 2002, program revenue
increased, reversing a three-year trend of major losses of funding. This was
achieved through Iowa Legal Aid’s partnership with the legal community,
and the support of fellow providers of services to low-income Iowans
and others dedicated to equal justice under law. The following are a few
examples of how 2005 proved to be a year that promised a brighter future
for Iowa Legal Aid.
The Annual Campaign for Equal Justice raised over $450,000 through the
support of hundreds of donors. Law firms, foundations and individuals joined together to provide the
financial resources necessary to support legal assistance for the most vulnerable Iowans. One of the high
points of the Campaign, was the annual celebration of this work at Equal Justice After Hours: A Tribute
to Friends of Iowa Legal Aid and the accompanying induction of four remarkable Iowans into the Iowa
Legal Aid Hall of Fame. Attorney General Tom Miller, George Wittgraf, Lois Eichacker, and Addison Parker
were inducted at a ceremony attended by hundreds at the Hotel Fort Des Moines in March. Each is a true
champion of justice, whose support for legal aid has paved the way for the work we are able to do today.
Other funding increases, renewals, and new opportunities made the year promising as well. A bipartisan
legislative effort resulted in reinstatement of a line item in the state budget as well as an
increase in state funding for the Legal Services for Persons in Poverty Grants Program. At the same time,
the Iowa Supreme Court’s Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Commission provided additional funding
with the increased revenues available to them to distribute. Community foundations and United Ways
across the state also increased their financial support.
Financial support from all of these sources will help Iowa Legal Aid extend services to low-income
individuals across the entire state of Iowa. As indicated more fully in the report, in 2005 Iowa Legal Aid
closed over 16,300 cases, helping a projected 37,500 Iowans. While thousands were helped, many were
also turned away. See the next page for more information on America’s justice gap.
The bottom line is that 2005 was a year that Iowa Legal Aid and its partners built a strong foundation
for a brighter future where “equal justice under law” is more than a promise. Thanks to all of our
partners and supporters who have come together to work for fairness in 2005. We look forward, with
optimism, to 2006.
Dennis Groenenboom, Executive Director
Iowa Legal Aid
2 Iowa Legal Aid is Working for Fairness 3