the diversity scholarship foundation

What the diversity scholarship foundation does

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation (DSF), legally Diversity Scholarship Foundation, NFP, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Formally established in March 2008 but with roots dating to a 2002 coalition of 17 bar association presidents, DSF provides financial scholarships, mentorship, and diversity programming to law students from underrepresented backgrounds. Its program portfolio includes the Jerold S. Solovy Diversity Scholarship, Public Interest Advocate Scholarship, Law Student with a Disability Scholarship, LSAT Scholarship, Elder Law Scholarship, Bar Exam Preparation Scholarship, and Leaders & Achievers Scholarship. The First Generation Mentorship Program, launched in 2020 and hosted in partnership with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, connects first-generation law students with attorney and judge mentors and has served almost 300 students across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Iowa.

The foundation is supported by a coalition of more than 50 bar associations and a roster of corporate and law firm sponsors led by Exelon Corporation (Diamond) and Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Platinum), with additional support from Jenner & Block, Nixon Peabody, Clifford Law Offices, McAndrews Held & Malloy, Power Rogers & Smith, and others. DSF generates revenue exclusively through donations, sponsorships, and event proceeds, with the annual Unity Gala as the flagship fundraiser, complemented by the Deans Reception, CLE programs, the All Bar Presidents Reception, and a Polar Plunge team supporting Special Olympics Illinois. There are no products sold, no pricing model, no API, and no proprietary technology — operations are conducted through a WordPress website, standard social media channels, and direct outreach to law school deans and bar association leadership across the Midwest.

Name

the diversity scholarship foundation

Legal name

Diversity Scholarship Foundation, NFP

Website

https://diversitychicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that awards scholarships, mentorship, and diversity programming to underrepresented law students across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Iowa, supported by over 50 bar associations and law firm and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Education Scholarship Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Legal scholarship programs
• Law student mentorship
• Diversity initiatives
• Bar association partnerships
• Nonprofit legal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on donations from individuals, law firms, corporations, and sponsors to fund scholarships and programs. Proceeds from events such as the Unity Gala benefit the Diversity Scholarship Foundation.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that awards financial scholarships to diverse law students across multiple categories (including the Jerold S. Solovy Diversity Scholarship, Public Interest Advocate Scholarship, Law Student with a Disability Scholarship, LSAT Scholarship, Elder Law Scholarship, Bar Exam Preparation Scholarship, and Leaders & Achievers Scholarship). It also operates the First Generation Mentorship Program, pairing law students with attorneys and judges, and hosts events such as the annual Unity Gala, Deans Reception, and CLE programs.

Product overview

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit scholarship organization that provides various scholarship programs for law students from diverse backgrounds, including the Jerold S. Solovy Diversity Scholarship Award, Public Interest Advocate Scholarship Award, Law Student with a Disability Scholarship Award, Elder Law Scholarship Award, LSAT Scholarship Award, Bar Exam Preparation Scholarship, and Leaders & Achievers Scholarship Award. The organization also hosts the annual Unity Gala/Unity Award Dinner, the First Generation Mentorship Program connecting law students with attorney and judge mentors, CLE (Continuing Legal Education) programs, and the Annual Deans Reception bringing together law school deans and scholarship recipients. These programs collectively support diverse law students across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Iowa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• First Generation Mentorship Program
• Jerold S. Solovy Diversity Scholarship Award
• Public Interest Advocate Scholarship Award A scholarship supporting law students pursuing public interest law careers.
• Law Student with a Disability Scholarship Award A scholarship awarded to law students with disabilities to support their legal education.
• LSAT Scholarship Award A scholarship to support law students preparing for the LSAT examination.
• Elder Law Scholarship Award A scholarship supporting law students focusing on elder law.
• Bar Exam Preparation Scholarship A scholarship to assist law students with the financial burden of bar exam preparation.
• Leaders & Achievers Scholarship Award A merit-based scholarship recognizing diverse law student leaders and achievers.
• Annual Unity Gala (Unity Award Dinner) The foundation's flagship annual fundraising and recognition event bringing together scholarship recipients, honorees, bar association presidents, judges, and attorneys to advance diversity in the legal community.
• CLE Programs Continuing Legal Education programs presented in partnership with law firms, covering topics such as juries, social media, and bias for legal professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served almost 300 law students through mentorship program in the past two years alone
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hinshaw & Culbertson LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHinshaw & Culbertson LLP hosts the First Generation Mentorship Kickoff Reception, providing first-generation law students the opportunity to meet attorneys and judges who serve as mentors through DSF's mentor program.
• The John Marshall Law SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Unity Award Dinner & Swearing-In of Bar Presidents Ceremony. The law school has hosted events including the All Bar Holiday Party and has been a consistent supporter of DSF initiatives.
• Filipino American Bar AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the 2010 Unity Award Dinner. One of over 50 bar associations united in support of DSF's mission to diversify the legal community.
• Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 2017 All Bar Presidents Reception. Avanti D. Bakane, Partner at the firm, has been recognized as an honoree.
• Special Olympics IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSF participates in the Polar Plunge Chicago for Special Olympics Illinois, a winter fundraising event supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Jackson & Lewis LLPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the A Successful Juries CLE - Juries, Social Media, and Bias seminar presented by DSF.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education: The charitable arm of the American Bar Association, the largest national legal professional association. It runs legal education, scholarships, and diversity programs nationwide, broadly overlapping DSF's mission at a much larger national scale.
• Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA): National organization advancing diversity in the legal profession through corporate law department engagement, scholarships, and pipeline programs. Competes for similar corporate DEI sponsorship dollars as DSF.

Direct peers

• National Bar Association: The nation's oldest and largest national association of predominantly African American attorneys and law students. Offers scholarships, mentorship, and bar association programming directly comparable to DSF's mission of diversifying the legal pipeline.
• Hispanic National Bar Association: National bar association representing Hispanic attorneys and law students. Provides scholarships, mentorship programs, and pipeline initiatives that closely mirror DSF's bar-association-coalition model and law student support focus.
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA): National bar association for Asian Pacific American attorneys and law students. Operates scholarships, mentorship, and pipeline programs for diverse law students through affiliated bar associations nationwide — structurally analogous to DSF.
• AccessLex Institute: Nonprofit focused on legal education access, affordability, and diversity; administers scholarships, financial education, and pipeline programs for law students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• National Native American Bar Association: National bar association supporting Native American attorneys and law students with scholarships, mentorship, and pipeline programming — directly comparable niche diversity mission and bar-association-coalition structure.
• National Association of Women Lawyers: National organization advancing women in the legal profession through scholarships, mentorship, and bar association programming. Comparable mission, beneficiary base, and scholarship portfolio to DSF.
• Lavender Law (National LGBTQ+ Bar Association): National bar association supporting LGBTQ+ legal professionals, offering scholarships, mentorship, and pipeline programs. Mirrors DSF's coalition model and underrepresented-law-student focus.

Emerging players

• National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA): Largest student-run legal organization in the U.S., representing Black law students and providing mentorship, networking, and pipeline resources — overlapping with DSF's first-generation and minority law student support mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dsfchicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCC74qqQtf8AZnJOUDQUC7Zw
• Facebookfacebook.com/diversityfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diversity-scholarship-foundation-nfp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the diversity scholarship foundation