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Open Door Fund

The North Carolina Bar Foundation is committed to addressing inequities in access to legal services and participation in the legal profession experienced by historically excluded or disadvantaged individuals and communities in North Carolina.

With the generous partnership of law firms, legal organizations and individuals across North Carolina, the NCBF is proud to announce the Open Door Fund to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically through the Open Door Fellowship to support NC law students in summer work experiences between the first and second years of law school.  As the legal profession in North Carolina grows and its members become increasingly diverse, the Open Door Fellowship signals a collective commitment and desire to welcome all who want to serve the people of North Carolina.


The Power of Association

As the largest voluntary legal organization in the state, the North Carolina Bar Association is uniquely positioned to open doors for law students by providing opportunities for networking and professional development. To better serve the people of North Carolina and the profession, it is important for the legal community to advance diversity in all of its forms – in particular by developing opportunities for law students who come from historically excluded or under-resourced backgrounds to become fully engaged in our profession and our shared work.

Commit to advancing diversity in the legal profession

By uniting in support of this statewide effort, members of our legal profession have the power to enhance the collective strength of the North Carolina legal community, its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and its ability to effectively serve the public.

We invite you to support the NCBF Open Door Fund as a Champion for Change, Advocate or Benefactor: 

$100,000 | Open Door Champions for Change

Recognition as a presenting sponsor for all collateral promoting the NCBF Open Door Fellowship for 5 years, as well as recognition in NCBF Impact Report, e-bar (NCBA’s weekly member newsletter), on the NCBF website and on social media channels; opportunity to name two Justice Funds; special invitation to participate in NCBF diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

$50,000 | Open Door Advocates

Recognition in NCBF Impact Report, e-bar (NCBA’s weekly member newsletter), and on social media channels; opportunity to name a Justice Fund; special invitation to participate in NCBF diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

$25,000 | Open Door Benefactors

Recognition in NCBF Impact Report, e-bar (NCBA’s weekly member newsletter), and on social media channels; opportunity to name a Lawyer Impact Fund; special invitation to participate in NCBF diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

To learn more about supporting the NCBF Open Door Fund, contact Foundation at [email protected].