One Hour for Justice

Overview

The Vermont Bar Foundation (VBF) is proud to launch One Hour for Justice, a statewide fundraising campaign that invites Vermont’s legal community to make a powerful impact – by donating the equivalent of one billable hour to support civil legal aid and justice initiatives across our state.

Every dollar raised fuels the work of organizations providing critical legal services to Vermonters in need: from helping families secure safe housing to protecting survivors of domestic violence, advocating for individuals with disabilities, and ensuring access to justice across Vermont.

The Need

Across Vermont, thousands of neighbors face legal challenges that affect their safety, security, and opportunity – but cannot afford legal help.

• 1 in 5 Vermonters is income-eligible for civil legal aid.
• Requests for legal aid support have increased by more than 300% in recent years.
• Without this support, critical issues like eviction, custody, and public benefits often go unresolved, leaving families vulnerable and communities strained.

Your one hour can make the difference between justice denied and justice delivered.

How It Works

• Step 1: Choose Your Hour
  Reflect your hourly rate — $150, $250, $400, or more.
• Step 2: Make Your Gift
  Donate quickly and securely through the VBF donation portal.
• Step 3: See Your Impact

             Every donor will receive stories and updates showing how their contribution is driving change across Vermont. 

Your hour builds capacity for the organizations and advocates ensuring that justice is accessible to all Vermonters, regardless of income or circumstance.

Join Us

By giving just one hour, you’re supporting the only foundation in Vermont exclusively dedicated to funding civil legal services. Over the past year, the Vermont Bar Foundation has proudly partnered with more than 30 organizations across the state – from legal aid nonprofits to community justice centers – and distributed nearly $2 million in grants to strengthen Vermont’s justice network.

As the demand for legal services grows, so does our commitment. Every hour you give allows us to fund more programs, reach more people, and ensure that every Vermonter – regardless of income or circumstance – has access to the legal help they deserve.

Together, we can build a Vermont where access to justice is not a privilege, but a right.