June 10, 2009

CDLC Awarded Collins Foundation Grant

The Collins Foundation has awarded a grant totaling $180,000 to support the Community Development, Nonprofit and Affordable Housing Practicum, a joint clinical law project of the Lewis & Clark Law School and the Community Development Law Center.

(Portland, Ore.)—The Collins Foundation has awarded a grant totaling $180,000 to support the Community Development, Nonprofit and Affordable Housing Practicum, a joint clinical law project of the Lewis & Clark Law School and the Community Development Law Center.  The practicum project serves community development corporations and nonprofits focused on economic development and affordable housing issues throughout Oregon. The grant will allow the practicum to double the number of clients served, and law students educated, annually by adding an additional lawyer to its staff.

“Lewis & Clark Law School’s partnership with the CDLC to create this practicum is unique throughout the nation,” said Lisa LeSage, Associate Dean and Director, Business Law Programs. “No other law school has such a partnership which is mutually beneficial for the community and our students. Community nonprofits benefit from the provision of free, much-needed legal services and law students gain practical, hands-on experience in transactional law that they would not otherwise receive.”

Under the direction of experienced and highly skilled attorneys, students assist clients with a multitude of business transactions, including financing, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, land use, tax, human resources and general corporate legal issues.. Students have the opportunity to participate in client meetings, corporate board meetings, and in drafting business and legal documents.

Since its inception in 2000, the CDLC has assisted in the development of nearly 3,000 units of affordable housing and nine community facilities, and provided training to over 750 board and staff members of community-based organizations. By doubling the number of nonprofits and community development corporations the CDLC can serve, the legal clinic conservatively projects that this grant will benefit 18,000 individuals over the next three years.

About the Collins Foundation
The Collins Foundation, an independent private foundation, was created by Truman W. Collins and other members of the family of E. S. Collins. The foundation exists to give greater expression to humanitarian endeavors in the state of Oregon and to assist in improving the quality of life for Oregonians.