Open Door Fund & Fellowship - North Carolina Bar Foundation

The NCBA+NCBF are committed to recognizing, respecting, promoting and encouraging diversity in the legal community.

The NCBF Open Door Fund and Fellowship demonstrate our ongoing commitment to address inequities in access to legal services and participation in the legal profession experienced by historically excluded or disadvantaged individuals and communities in North Carolina. The Open Door Fellowship, launched in 2023, signals a collective commitment and desire to welcome all who want to serve the people of North Carolina through the legal profession.

Meet the 2024 NCBF Open Door Fellows Darius Alexander + April Franklin

Meet the 2023 NCBF Open Door Fellows Tavaria Smith + Zi Zhou

The goal of $1 million by June 30, 2025 will secure the Open Door Fund and provide for the Open Door Fellowship for many years to come. Your gift or pledge will move us closer to this goal. The Open Door Fund of the NCBF Endowment is made possible through the generous support of law firms, legal organizations, corporations and individuals across North Carolina.

Lend your support the NCBF Open Door Fund as a Champion for Change, Advocate or Benefactor – contact us at [email protected].

$100,000 | Open Door Champions for Change

Recognition as an NCBF Open Door Fellowship presenting sponsor for 5 years; Recognition through NCBF Impact Report, website and social media; Opportunity to name two NCBF Endowment Justice Funds; and Special invitations to participate in NCBF diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

$50,000 | Open Door Advocates

Recognition through NCBF Impact Report, website and social media; Opportunity to name an NCBF Endowment Justice Fund; and Special invitations to participate in NCBF diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

$25,000 | Open Door Benefactors

Recognition through NCBF Impact Report, website and social media; Opportunity to name an NCBF Lawyer Impact Fund; and Special invitations to participate in NCBF diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Open Door Fund Founding Donors

As the legal profession in North Carolina grows and its members become increasingly diverse, the NCBF Open Door Fund and Fellowship signals our collective commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and our desire to welcome all who want to serve the people of North Carolina through the legal profession.

Open Door Fund Presidents’ Challenge

The NCBF is deeply grateful for the leadership of NCBA+NCBF Past Presidents whose support launched the Open Door Fund in June 2024 with a $100,000 collective gift challenge. The collective gift will be realized upon reaching a $100,000 matching gift goal through the generosity of NCBA members.

Open Door Fellowship

The NCBF Open Door Fellowship is a unique, competitive opportunity for first-year North Carolina law students. Open Door Fellows gain valuable, hands-on legal experience while widening their professional networks to “open doors” and prepare them for the next steps in their legal careers.