Bronze
 

Institution: Emory University

Title of entry: Emory School of Law: Black Law Students Fundraising Campaign

About this entry: Goal: Raise $100,000 to endow a scholarship that will supports the recruitment of first year law student, with a preference for underrepresented candidates.

Many factors influence how diversity declines at the highest levels of leadership in law firms and corporate legal departments, but it is important to trace how lack of access to an excellent legal education contributes to it. An exploration of the student pipeline—from pre-law admissions, law school acceptance, graduation, and bar passage—reveals not enough students are able to start that path to create true diversity within the profession.

Emory Law’s mission to champion open and equitable access to a legal education is hindered by the loss of admitted students choosing peer institutions over Emory. With additional funds for relocation or living expenses, Emory Law can address this hindrance. One Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Alumni Advisory Board member decided to tackle this problem by working with the lead annual giving officer to endow a new scholarship geared towards increasing the matriculation of underrepresented students.

Staffing changes and Emory University budget restrictions resulted in the loss of a dedicated development officer for the project. Thus, the project was assigned to an alumni engagement officer and advancement services professional in addition to their regular responsibilities. Through multiple engagement and solicitation channels, the campaign resulted in nearly $120,000 raised with a number of newly engaged donors in just nine months.