The Judicate West Foundation (JWF) provides funding to nonprofits to support designated projects that enhance understanding of and access to justice, provide education in conflict resolution and peer mediation, and in general improve the administration of justice.

Since 2011, the JWF is proud to have funded many dozens of programs which have made a positive impact in schools, courts and in our communities.

Board Members

Melissa Blair Aliotti, Esq.
President
Rosemarie Chiusano Drohan
Board Member and Executive Director
Darrell Forgey, Esq.
Board Member
Var Fox
Board Member
Rebecca Grey, Esq.
Board Member
Jay Cordell Horton, Esq.
Board Member
Richard A. Huver, Esq.
Board Member
Kristin Rizzo, Esq.
Board Member
Thomas Sharkey, Esq.
Board Member
Rachelle Snow
Executive Secretary
Robert Tessier, Esq.
Board Member, Treasurer and Secretary

Available Grants

Grant Application Requirements

The mission of the JW Foundation is to support organizations and projects that increase access to the Courts and/or which improve the image and public understanding of the Courts. It is a charitable organization, recognized as such by both the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board.

Grant seekers are requested to submit a written grant application that meets our requirements.

For a printable copy of our grant application requirements click here

The Judicate West Foundation (JWF) is comprised of pledges donated from Judicate West and its neutrals. Since 2011, the JWF has been funding grants yearly from many statewide nonprofit organizations that fit with our mission statement.
2023 Grants
Equal Rights Advocates - Barbara A. Babcock NextGen Initiative
ERA's NextGen Initiative fosters the next generation of legal advocates by providing training to our law students and young lawyers in order to enhance community understanding of and access to justice. Through innovative student internships, clerkships, alumni networking, and multigenerational partnerships, ERA seeks to create a pipeline for student training, advance access to equality through the law, and build multigenerational support for gender, racial, and economic justice. ERA trains students and new lawyers in a supervised setting to provide communities in need with free legal services, thus expanding access to justice within the legal system.
Inner City Law Center (ICLC) - Homeless Veterans Project
ICLC has provided free legal services to the poorest and most vulnerable residents of Los Angeles. Their mission is to ensure access to decent, safe, and fully habitable housing for the enormous number of homeless and working poor families and individuals residing in Los Angeles County. They serve disabled homeless veterans who need assistance with discharge upgrades and accessing VA benefits and have a particular expertise in assisting homeless women veterans who are survivors of military sexual trauma.
California Children' Law Center (CLC) - Northern California
CLC provides legal representation for children and youth impacted by abuse and neglect. They advocate for their clients by supporting families; fighting for reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health, and mental health wellness; and empowering and strengthening children, families, and their communities. Their informed approach to advocacy makes them a powerful voice in local, statewide, and national child welfare system reform.
Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County (CRF - OC)
CRF-OC is a local non-profit, non-partisan education organization inspiring Orange County Students through Civics and Educational Experiences. The funds awarded will go towards CRF-OC's one week Mock Trial Summer Camp. Mock Trial has a record of inspiring students to make a positive difference in the community and to pursue higher education and professional careers, particularly in the field of law.
2022 Grants
Grant Awarded: Kids Managing Conflict (KMC)
KMC supports and promotes programs in K-12 schools that teach students conflict management skills which enrich their lives into adulthood. Since 2022, KMC has awarded the Judicate West Young Peacemakers Award to an outstanding student mediator at their annual Mediation Symposium.
Grant Awarded: Western Justice Center (WJC) - Peer Mediation Invitational (PMI)
WJC empowers students to strengthen their communities by growing the conflict resolution skills and capacity of youth, educators, schools, and community partners. At the WJC PMI, students focus on mediation role playing through mentoring and coaching with professionals (including judges, arbitrators, mediators, and attorneys), as well as interactive discussions on issues pertaining to school culture and climate.
Grant Awarded: Inner City Law Center (ICLC)
For more than 40 years, ICLC has provided free legal services to the poorest and most vulnerable residents of Los Angeles. Their mission is to ensure access to decent, safe and fully habitable housing for the enormous number of homeless and working poor families and individuals residing in LA County.
Grant Awarded: The San Diego Justice Foundation (SDJF)
SDJF conducts an annual high school mock trial competition, the goal of which is to educate young people about the importance of civic participation in our democratic society. The students present cases which are scored by volunteer attorneys from the community.
Grant Awarded: San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, Inc. - Your Safe Place Project
This program assists survivors of domestic violence to successfully obtain restraining orders, and provide legal assistance on other family law matters, such as divorce, child custody, child support, and spousal support, to empower survivors to break free from their abusers and end the cycle of violence.
Grant Awarded: Veteran's Legal Institute (VLI) - Lawyers for Warriors
This program supports homeless and low-income Veterans residing within VLI's service area of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic by enabling VLI to provide free legal aid to them. Through the power of free legal aid, these Veterans are able to overcome significant barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment