Kaitlyn Pieper, Executive Director

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) could not accomplish its mission without the dedication of community members who volunteer their time and expertise, and without the generous donors and foundations who provide vital financial support.

For the fourth consecutive year, UCLI is honored to receive a grant from the B.W. Bastian Foundation. The Foundation works to build community and understanding by supporting both local and national institutions, with a particular focus on the arts and educational outreach. It places a strong emphasis on programs and organizations that advance equality, uphold individual rights, and promote inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. UCLI and the B.W. Bastian Foundation share a common vision of a legal profession that is welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals, and UCLI is deeply grateful to be among the Foundation’s 2025 grant recipients.

Like the B.W. Bastian Foundation, UCLI is committed to preserving and enhancing the rights, equality, and fair treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community. Thanks to this grant, UCLI will continue its LGBTQ+ outreach through the PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere). Over the past year, these funds have supported networking events for LGBTQ+ law students in Utah and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities for attorneys focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion. In 2026, this grant will enable UCLI to continue hosting networking events for LGBTQ+ law students, expand CLE offerings on related topics, and provide direct support for an LGBTQ+ participant in the 2026 Pre-Law Fellowship program.

We are grateful to continue this important work and extend our heartfelt thanks to the donors who make it possible. Thank you to the B.W. Bastian Foundation for your meaningful contributions to our community and your generous support of UCLI’s mission.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is driven by a mission to expand opportunity, foster belonging, and build a stronger legal community for all. These goals can only be achieved through the generosity and partnership of volunteers, legal professionals, and philanthropic organizations that believe in this shared vision.

UCLI is honored to be a first-time recipient of support from the Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation. Established to advance Henry and Leslie Eskuche’s legacy of generosity, the Foundation seeks to enhance quality of life by supporting initiatives in education, health, human services, and the arts. Its guiding philosophy emphasizes compassion, lifelong learning, and meaningful impact – all values that strongly align with UCLI’s work across Utah’s legal and educational landscapes.

With this grant, UCLI will continue its PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere), which provides mentoring, guidance, and scholarship opportunities to students from elementary school through law school. This support enables UCLI to open doors for Utahns from all backgrounds to pursue legal education and professional success.

UCLI is deeply grateful to the Eskuche Foundation for its investment in education and inclusion, and for its commitment to creating lasting change in the community. Together, we are helping build pathways toward a more inclusive and informed future for Utah’s legal profession.