CASA of Hill County awarded Montana Justice Foundation grant

Press release

Montana Justice Foundation announced it awarded more than $600,000 in grants to organizations around Montana working to improve access to justice, including an $8,000 grant to Court Appointed Special Advocates — CASA — of Hill County.

Since its inception in 1979, MJF has awarded more than $8 million to nonprofit organizations across Montana.

“We are proud to fund the staff and volunteers at CASA of Hill County because they do incredible work,” said Alissa Chambers, Montana Justice Foundation executive director. “We fund organizations that improve access to justice, and CASA of Hill County is doing just that for children experiencing abuse or neglect.”

CASA of Hill County volunteers serves the 12th Judicial District Court, including Hill, Chouteau and Liberty counties. The volunteer advocates serve the children who have entered the foster care system due to abuse or neglect as a voice to the court, relaying the child’s best interest in the court proceedings. The MJF grant funds mileage reimbursement for training, court hearings, and visits because children are often placed outside the local area.

“We are thrilled to be able to support the work our CASA volunteers do for the children through the Montana Justice Foundation grant,” said Chamene Plum, executive director of CASA of Hill County. “Our volunteers are the heart of our mission and to be able to support them gives us a positive outlook on working with more local children.”

MJF is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization working to increase access to the civil justice system. MJF raises grant funds through the Interest on Lawyer Trust Account — IOLTA — program, Cy Pres or other court-ordered awards, and contributions from Montana lawyers, law firms, and other donors. IOLTA accounts are interest-bearing trust accounts pooling short-term client funds that do not independently generate returnable interest. Cy Pres awards are remaining funds in class action settlements or judgments donated for charitable purposes, including access to justice.

For more information about the Montana Justice Foundation, visit http://www.mtjustice.org.