Why Give
Did you know? The Center for NonProfit Legal Services is the only bar-certified agency in Jackson County that meets Section 13.2 of the Oregon State Bar bylaws for hours recognized for Active Pro Bono status and Active Emeritus status.
CNPLS Needs Your Support
More clients than representation
The 2023 U.S. Census indicated there are 220,000 residents of Jackson County, of which approximately 34,000 (15.5%) are low-income, composed of the elderly, the chronically poor, the temporarily unemployed, the underemployed, and the disabled. All of these low-income residents are potentially eligible clients. However, CNPLS only has the capacity to serve 1,200 residents out of the 3,600 who apply each year. Referrals to other resources are made to every applicant who is not accepted for legal assistance. CNPLS provides the only source of civil representation for the poor in Jackson County. There is no other legal aid program available in Jackson County and the private bar cannot accommodate the needs of these people at an affordable cost.
Since 1972, this unmet legal need has been deemed an important community and governmental concern. The public, as well as the private sector, have provided funding to address this need. Approximately 66% of those served by CNPLS are poor women, most often single mothers with children. Although 40% of our clients are working, they remain at or below the federal poverty level.
What Giving Opportunities are Available?
Partnership for Justice Campaign
The Legal Services Board is always looking at ways encourage greater sustainability. Their goal is to lessen the feeling of insecurity each year when balancing the budget. After several years of thoughtful planning, Legal Services Board of Directors formed a leadership committee of distinguished members of the business and legal community and launched their “Partnership for Justice” Capital Campaign.
The Partnership For Justice Campaign has two primary goals. One is to make necessary interior and exterior capital improvements to our historic “Thomas Building” , second to increase the General Fund to create the opportunity for greater compensation of the Attorneys and Staff, and last to completely fund the Jackson County’s Center for Non-Profit Legal Services Endowment Fund, which is managed and invested by the Oregon Community Foundation.
To date, the community has generously invested in our future. Thanks to gifts both large and small, we are in the process of installing a handicap-accessible elevator, we have restored the building façade, re-carpeted the offices, painted the interior, replaced the roof, and installed two heating and cooling systems.
This legacy of generosity shows the deep commitment our community shares for providing legal representation to those least able to afford it. We are grateful to those who have contributed.
With your help, the Partnership for Justice Campaign will raise the funds necessary to ensure the future financial stability of the Center for NonProfit Legal Services in the following ways:
- By raising an additional $320,000 per year, we can bridge the salary and benefits gaps with the industry standards of other legal aid professionals in Oregon.
- By investing in the Legal Education Assistance Fund, we will relieve the large student loan burden recently graduated lawyers have, thereby enabling them to serve the public interest with us.
- By increasing community support and initiating legislation to create a statewide grant program we will stabilize funding for Public Guardian Programs and enhance the quality of life for the disabled and the elderly. We will ensure quality care and supervision of individuals unable to care for themselves or who have no family to assist them with personal and financial decisions.
- By securing consistent funding for the Immigration Law Project, we will build its capacity for increasing the number of naturalized citizens who are able to contribute to the economy and build a stronger, safer, healthier society for all people.
- By supporting the endowment, we will ensure that there are long-term funds to support the services we offer.
- By improving the “Thomas Building”, we will keep this historic site beautiful and functional and improve our long-term financial standing.
The Endowment Fund
Jackson County’s CNPLS Endowment Fund was established in 2004 in collaboration with the Oregon Access to Justice Endowment Fund and the Oregon Community Foundation. Your gift to the CNPLS Endowment fund helps affirm America’s ideals of democracy and helps fulfill its long-standing promise of fair treatment under the law. Access to Justice is fundamental to American values and to maintaining social stability.
How can I Donate?
Cash or Pledge
Make a cash contribution by check, or a pledge, to be made in monthly, quarterly or annual installments over one, two or three years. Checks should be payable to Center for Non-Profit Legal Services, Inc. and if you desire to designate how your contribution is to be used, write either “General Fund” or “Endowment Fund” on the memo line of the check.
Credit Card
Contributions by credit card may be made by using either Visa or Mastercard. Call the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services, Inc. at 541-779-7292 and tell the receptionist that you wish to make a contribution by credit card.
Transfer of Stock
Transfer of stock of a value that you expect will be at least $500 should be made to the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services, Inc. through your account at your brokerage firm, and if you desire to designate how your contribution is to be used, instruct your broker to notify the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services, Inc. that your contribution is for [insert names of funds here].