Join NAIP
Eligibility
IOLTA programs in all provinces, states and territories in Canada and the United States are eligible to join NAIP. Each member program can have an unlimited number of participants involved in NAIP activities.
Membership Benefits
NAIP membership provides civil legal aid funders with opportunities to learn from peers and experts, act collectively in support of civil legal aid, and strengthen their organizations. By joining NAIP, IOLTA programs gain access to a variety of benefits to help leaders and staff excel in their work.
Professional and Educational Trainings
NAIP offers both in-person and on-line sessions to help IOLTA leaders and staff develop and enhance organizational practices, including revenue generating, grantmaking, and more.
In collaboration with the American Bar Association Commission on IOLTA, NAIP sponsors semi-annual workshops covering topics such as recent or proposed changes in laws and policies and other factors and ideas impacting IOLTA programs and the communities they serve.
Free Monthly Webinars
NAIP provides free monthly webinars on emerging topics and current events, helping members stay informed on a broad range of timely issues addressing member needs. Recordings of these webinars are stored in a members-only library for convenient access.
Connections and Mutual Mentorship
NAIP fosters peer support and mentorship among IOLTA leaders and staff. Regardless of experience level, all participants contribute valuable insights, making NAIP a collaborative environment.
Since most jurisdictions have only one IOLTA program, NAIP helps bridge the gap by connecting IOLTA leaders and staff facing similar challenges and opportunities. Personal connections through NAIP promote the sharing of best practices and innovative ideas across jurisdictions.
An up-to-date IOLTA Member Directory is available to help IOLTA leaders and staff stay connected.
Collective Voice for Action and Funding
NAIP serves as a collective voice on issues affecting civil legal aid, engaging in activities such as:
- Submitting public comments on governmental proposals.
- Advocating for funding.
- Addressing multi-jurisdictional bank policy changes.
- Issuing press releases on significant issues.
NAIP partners with national organizations with similar goals like the American Bar Association (Commission on IOLTA and Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense), the Legal Services Corporation, and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, to strengthen civil legal aid efforts. NAIP also helps members build relationships with the philanthropic community to advance access to justice.
Expert Presenters and Speakers
NAIP features presenters from within the IOLTA community and external sectors to provide diverse perspectives. These experts share insights on improving IOLTA programs' effectiveness and addressing external factors impacting IOLTA programs.
Professional Management
Created in 1986, NAIP was a volunteer-run association, with in-kind support from the ABA on substantive, IOLTA-related issues. In 2019, following an ABA staff reorganization, NAIP became an independent association with professional staff focused on serving its members. This shift has enhanced its capacity to support IOLTA programs.
Access to Members-Only Resources
NAIP members enjoy exclusive access to a password-protected portal featuring:
- Tools for peer-to-peer technical assistance and information sharing.
- Contact information for all NAIP members and participating staff.
- A searchable library of IOLTA-related resource materials, including historical documents, templates, policies, and more.
FAQs
NAIP membership offers invaluable access to a network of experienced peers who understand the unique challenges of IOLTA programs. While laws and regulations vary across jurisdictions, members consistently find that other programs have faced similar issues and can share insights, strategies, and best practices to help address them. Joining NAIP means connecting with a supportive community committed to advancing civil legal aid and fostering innovation.
NAIP membership unlocks a wealth of resources and opportunities to support IOLTA leaders and staff in their critical work. Benefits include:
- Professional and educational trainings. Gain insights through in-person and online sessions on revenue management, grantmaking, and more.
- Free monthly webinars. Stay informed with timely webinars tailored to member needs.
- Connections and membership. Build relationships with peers who truly understand the unique challenges of IOLTA programs.
- Members-only resource library. Access a searchable portal with templates, policies and historical materials, and other valuable tools.
Here's what one member had to say:
“NAIP membership has been invaluable to me as the new executive director of a smaller IOLTA program. NAIP leadership and members have been a tremendous support, sharing research, analysis, feedback, and resources – all playing a vital role in our program’s success. Thanks to information I learned at in-person workshops and from ongoing conversations with incredibly helpful colleagues in other states, I have more than doubled our revenue from previous years.”
— Alissa Chambers, Executive Director
Montana Justice Foundation
Running a small IOLTA program on your own can feel isolating, especially when navigating complex IOLTA banking issues or civil legal aid policies. NAIP connects you to a network of knowledgeable and supportive colleagues who face similar challenges. Through collaboration and consultation, you gain valuable insights, resources, and advice to make your work easier and more impactful.
Membership offers exceptional value by providing strategies to work with financial institutions to increase IOLTA revenue, identify new revenue streams, and manage grants effectively. For U.S.-based IOLTA programs, NAIP dues are based on the size of a program’s operating budget. If your program is facing temporary financial hardship, discounted membership rates may be available. Please contact us for more information - we're happy to work with you!