Bay Area Legal Services Receives a $45,000 Grant from Truist Foundation to Support Small Businesses and Nonprofits

TAMPA, FL, October 5, 2023 - Bay Area Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm, has received a $45,000 grant from Truist Foundation to support and bolster legal services provided by the firm’s Judge Don Castor Community Law Center.

The Judge Don Castor Community Law Center of Bay Area Legal Services provides free transactional legal assistance to eligible local small businesses and nonprofits with needs in the areas of corporate, tax, real estate, employment, zoning, land use, risk management/insurance, and intellectual property. In support of Truist Foundation’s strategic priorities, the grant will aid in strengthening eligible small businesses and nonprofits in the community, contributing to greater economic mobility.

“We are grateful for the support of Truist Foundation and their confidence in the work we do as part of the Judge Don Castor Community Law Center project to support and strengthen nonprofit charities and eligible small businesses in the greater Tampa Bay area,” said Susan Sandler, Project Director of the Judge Don Castor Community Law Center.

The nonprofit and small business clients of the Judge Don Castor Community Law Center serve local low-income residents and distressed communities in Hillsborough, North Pinellas, and Pasco counties. Last year alone, the Community Law Center provided direct services to clients in at least 75 cases.

“We are proud to support Bay Area Legal Services and its Judge Don Castor Community Law Center,” said Iwan Mohamed, Truist market president for Tampa Bay and Polk County. “The law firm’s free legal assistance to small businesses and nonprofits aligns perfectly with Truist’s purpose of inspiring and building better lives and communities.”

The grant funding will be disbursed across a three-year period, providing clients of the Community Law Center with the essential legal services they need but cannot otherwise afford - so they are able to remain a resource for the community.

About Bay Area Legal Services

Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm of skilled attorneys whose objective is helping the most vulnerable members of our community. Our clients do not have the income to hire private attorneys. Visit to bals.org/help to learn more about our services.

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.