We are excited to introduce the TCDIP Justice Forward Foundation (JFF), a new chapter in how our legal community comes together to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and advance justice across the Twin Cities and Minnesota.

A New Chapter Built on a Strong Foundation. The TCDIP Justice Forward Foundation builds on the legacy of WILD, which was created in 2020 after George Floyd’s murder and mobilized the legal community at a critical moment. WILD built trusted partnerships, launched meaningful programs, and helped our community show up in a meaningful way for racial justice. Now, with the approval of the TCDIP and WILD Boards of Directors, that work is evolving into a structure designed to grow, endure, and reach even further. This transition is a name change and organizational restructuring, not a merger or the creation of a new organization.

Our Mission and Vision

JFF’s vision is a legal community that uses its collective expertise, influence, and resources to create lasting change. Our mission is to mobilize philanthropic resources that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and equip the legal community to advance justice for all.

As an independent 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, JFF will cultivate donors, pursue grants, build partnerships, and invest in work that reaches beyond TCDIP’s member programs and into the broader community.

How JFF and TCDIP Work Together

TCDIP and JFF have distinct, connected roles. Membership dues sustain TCDIP’s member-focused programming, leadership development, mentorship, and professional connections. JFF creates additional capacity by raising tax-deductible gifts, grants, and philanthropic support for TCDIP’s community impact work.

  • JFF’s 501(c)(3) status, EIN, and tax-exempt standing remain the same as WILD’s. Contributions remain tax-deductible exactly as before.
  • Our programming continues uninterrupted, including our work in civic engagement and education equity.
  • TCDIP Member programming will continue alongside our community impact work, investing in people, partnerships, and ideas that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and equip the legal community to advance justice for all.

Community Impact, More Fully Integrated. The programs live at TCDIP. The fundraising lives at JFF. Together, this structure is simpler, stronger, and more sustainable, allowing us to connect the legal community’s resources with opportunities for meaningful, lasting impact.

TCDIP’s Community Impact Committee will guide the programs and partnerships that grew from WILD, bringing them more fully into TCDIP’s broader strategy and community. This integration will help us build on what works, respond to emerging needs, and create more opportunities for members, partners, and supporters to contribute their time, expertise, and resources.

Through the Community Impact Committee, TCDIP will continue and strengthen programs including, Law Day, which introduces young people to legal careers and connects students directly with legal professionals. We will also continue to focus on civic engagement initiatives that bring legal professionals and community partners together to support nonpartisan voter education, engagement, and participation. TCDIP will also continue to lead the Trauma Response Plan, which was developed with affinity bar partners to offer culturally responsive support to help legal professionals navigate secondary trauma, burnout, and moments of acute crisis.

Help Us Build What Comes Next

The Justice Forward Foundation gives our legal community a focused way to invest in people, partnerships, and ideas that can shape a more just future. In the coming weeks, you will see the JFF name and identity across our website, communications, and community impact work as we invite new donors, partners, and champions to join us.

We are grateful to everyone who helped build WILD’s legacy and to the many members and community partners who continue to bring this work to life. Your leadership, trust, and engagement created the foundation for this next chapter.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the TCDIP Justice Forward Foundation. Together, we can build on what began through WILD and expand the legal community’s capacity to create lasting change.