Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Receives $1,000,000 Gift to Launch Endowment to Ensure Access to Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2024
CONTACT
Eric W. Hughes
Bershad Director of Communications
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 233-5724
ehughes@vljnj.org
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is ecstatic to announce that David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen have pledged a $1,000,000 gift in support of its mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. David and Mindy’s generous contribution will enable VLJ to create an endowment, which will ensure the longevity of the organization and the sustainability of its finances in the wake of unforeseen circumstances.
VLJ is an award-winning legal services organization based in Newark. In 2023, 1,750 clients received services on over 1,900 legal matters, impacting more than 4,000 people, through VLJ’s eight pro bono programs.
David and Mindy, who live in West Orange, are long-time supporters of VLJ’s program and communications work. In 2021, they donated VLJ’s first-ever six-figure gift from individuals to establish the Bershad Communications Fellowship. On their continued and growing support of VLJ, David and Mindy offered, “There is a great need for legal services for thousands of lower income families. This endowment is intended to create a long-term financial bedrock so VLJ can continue to fulfill its role in meeting that need. We are so pleased to be the catalysts for that support.”
"We are deeply grateful to David Bershad and Mindy Cohen for their remarkable commitment to advancing access to civil legal justice," said Cathy Keenan, Executive Director at VLJ. "This endowment is historic and will be instrumental in empowering those who may otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance, reinforcing our efforts to create a just and compassionate New Jersey. Indeed, rarely do smaller organizations receive endowments, let alone of this size, which shows not only the amount of trust David and Mindy place in us, but the incredible team we have here at VLJ doing the work. This endowment is a testament to the power of pro bono, collaboration, and justice.”
VLJ’s Development Director, Jaclyn Kramer, who played a pivotal role in securing the pledge, remarked, “VLJ simply would not be the organization it is today without David and Mindy’s support. I am so grateful that they envision a future where more people are able to access the life-changing legal help they need, and that they trusted VLJ enough to invest this transformative sum in order to make that vision a reality.”
David and Mindy have already donated $500,000 towards their pledge. As part of their commitment, they will issue a challenge grant to encourage others to commit to the endowment. When the endowment reaches $1,000,000, David and Mindy will donate their second $500,000. This means their support will elevate VLJ's endowment to an incredible $1,500,000—an unprecedented milestone in ensuring our sustained impact. In an effort to raise the $500,000 needed to unlock David and Mindy’s challenge grant, VLJ is embarking on a five-year Legacy of Justice Campaign in 2024.
For more information on the endowment campaign, or to inquire about supporting VLJ’s efforts to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty, please contact Jaclyn Kramer, VLJ’s Development Director, at (973) 755-4120 or jkramer@vljnj.org.
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive nonprofit legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. In 2023, 1,750 clients received services on over 1,900 legal matters, impacting more than 4,000 people, through VLJ’s eight pro bono programs.