Recently, the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center’s Senior Director of Litigation, George Mykulak and Vice President, Maria Imperial, attended the 2026 Equal Justice Conference, co-hosted by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) and the American Bar Association (ABA), which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Our 2025 Impact Report highlights the progress we made this year through impact litigation, advocacy, education, and grant-making — including major victories for disability rights, new immigration and foster care litigation, and continued support for organizations advancing civil rights across the country.

In accordance with the Center’s requirements for grant reporting, the 2026 grantees submitted their second quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

In accordance with the Center’s requirements for grant reporting, the four 2026 grantees submitted their first quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

On December 18, 2025, the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center filed its Public Comment in strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the public charge grounds for inadmissibility.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center is proud to highlight Game, Set, Serve, a dynamic social justice and civil rights education program for middle and high school scholar athletes, in collaboration with New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL). Grounded in the legacy of Barbara McDowell, who believed that young people can be powerful agents of change, the program is a series of interactive workshops that connect “power hitters” in tennis to the laws, movements, and advocacy tools that drive social change today. Students are empowered to understand systemic inequities and use their voices—on and off the court—to advance justice.

In accordance with the Center’s requirements for grant reporting, the 2025 grantees submitted their fourth quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center celebrated its 15th Anniversary with an inspiring evening at Jones Day in Washington, D.C. on October 9th 2025, highlighted by a dynamic Fireside Chat between Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) and independent journalist Terry Moran.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center has selected four organizations for 2026 grants, each receiving an award of $30,000.

On September 16, 2025, the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center submitted formal comments to the United States Department of Education opposing proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

In accordance with the Center’s requirements for grant reporting, the 2025 grantees submitted their third quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center announces the approval by its Board of Directors of the addition of two new members.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center proudly welcomes George Mykulak as its new Senior Litigation Director beginning on July 2, 2025. George comes to the Center through the Massachusetts Access to Justice Fellows Program.

In accordance with the Center’s requirements for grant reporting, the 2025 grantees submitted their second quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

This report reflects the strides we made in 2024, introducing the critical cases we are funding in 2025, and sharing our continued growth. We invite you to explore these pages and join us in our commitment to building a more just and equitable society.

In accordance with the Foundation’s requirements for grant reporting, the five 2025 grantees submitted their first quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

In accordance with the Foundation’s requirements for grant reporting, the 2024 grantees submitted their fourth quarter case updates and timesheets of the grant year.

Recap of the 2025 Barbara McDowell Foundation Grantee Awards & Champion of Justice Presentation

The Barbara McDowell Foundation and Public Interest Law Center Welcomes New Vice President Maria Imperial

The Barbara McDowell and Gerald S. Hartman Foundation has selected five organizations for 2025 grants, each receiving an award of $25,000.