Washington-based D.C. Law Students In Court Program, Inc. Chosen for New 2009/10 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington

Washington, D.C., June 2009 - This is the Catalogue's seventh year in the Washington, D.C. region. Supported by individuals, foundations (Harman, Meyer, Cafritz, Marriott, Graham, Fowler), and corporations (CGI, Booz Allen Hamilton, TTR Sotheby's International Realty) as a service to the community, the Catalogue profiles environmental, cultural, educational, human services, and international organizations with budgets below $3 million. Sixty-eight exceptional nonprofits were chosen this year from a field of over 250 applicants. A committee of ninety professionals from area foundations, corporate giving programs, family foundations, nonprofit organizations, and the D.C. government participated in the review process -- leveraging the region's knowledge about philanthropy for the benefit of the entire community.

This year's Catalogue includes 36 nonprofits that were first featured in earlier Catalogues; they were chosen both for their intrinsic excellence and because they are examples of the impact that the Catalogue has had on area nonprofits. D.C. Law Students In Court (LSIC) was featured in the 2004/05 Catalogue and is being re-featured in the 2009/10 Catalogue. Mary Brittingham, Executive Director of LSIC, had this to say, “D.C. Law Students In Court Program is so pleased and honored to be re-featured in the 09-10 Catalogue. The Catalogue for Philanthropy provides tools to raise the visibility of D.C area nonprofits and helps nonprofits to gain access to new donors. For that we are very grateful.”

After an inaugural year in the District of Columbia, the Catalogue expanded to the Greater Washington region—adding nonprofits in Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland counties. 20-30,000 individuals and hundreds of foundations will receive copies of the Catalogue in mid-November. To date, the Catalogue has helped to raise over $8.5 million in donations for local nonprofits.

According to Barbara Harman, Executive Director of the Harman Family Foundation and President of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington, "The Catalogue is designed to be a showcase for high impact, DC-region non-profits, and an inviting way for individuals and families to participate in charitable giving. In the midst of the worst economic downturn we have seen in decades, supporting these organizations -- which make a big difference in the lives of people throughout our community -- is more important than ever. And the Catalogue makes informed, targeted giving truly possible."

"Charities were selected for excellence, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and financial transparency--and for what they can teach us about the extraordinary ways that philanthropy works,” Harman said. “These are certainly among the best small charities in the Washington, D.C. region.”

DC Law Students In Court Program, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) organization, is a civil and criminal practice legal clinic that provides pro bono legal services using supervising attorneys and third year law students from five area law schools, Georgetown, Catholic, George Washington, Howard and American universities.  The program provides third year law students with practical legal and trial practice skills, is involved in the prevention of homelessness and juvenile and adult crimes, and has been serving the community of the District of Columbia for 40 years.

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