An Incredible 2024 in Review

We are thrilled to share that 2024 was a landmark year for the Foundation, with a record-breaking number of matches achieved! The Foundation matched 316 matters on behalf of 160 social entrepreneurs, representing a more than 30% increase over 2023. Since our inception, 136 Lex Mundi member firms have collectively undertaken nearly 3,000 pro bono projects for well over 1,000 social entrepreneurs. These numbers underscore the extraordinary commitment of this network to making a positive impact on communities around the world.

Throughout the year, the Foundation team participated in over a dozen convenings, fostering meaningful connections with collaborators, colleagues, and clients. Early in the year, Legal Program Manager Allison Laubach attended the Pro Bono Institute’s annual meeting, where she connected with many of our members, affiliates, and friends in the pro bono space. Managing Director Isis Bous had the honor of attending The Elevate Prize Summit, where she engaged with Elevate winners, CNN Heroes, and other social impact leaders. Over the summer, Isis traveled to The Hague to participate in events including a meeting with members of the World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation’s Corporate Leadership Council, as well as the launch event for Integrity Initiatives International Europe, a Foundation client advocating for stronger enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

In the fall, the Foundation team celebrated the newest AARP Purpose Prize winners in Washington, D.C., and traveled to New York during the UN General Assembly and Climate Week. During this time, Isis attended the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual convening, presented to the newest MIT Solve cohort, and engaged with the World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, where the Foundation was recognized as an inaugural signatory of the Rise Ahead Pledge during the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings.

This year also marked a significant milestone for the Foundation’s collaboration with The World Bank with the launch event for Phase I of the Business Ready (“B-READY”) 2024 report. This critical resource (available here) supports private investment, job creation, and sustainable inclusive development worldwide. Several Lex Mundi member firms contributed research and expertise to this effort, laying the groundwork for impactful change at the highest levels of government. Phase II of the project is already underway, and we look forward to its continued impact.

The year culminated with an incredible honor, as the Foundation was named a winner in two Humanitarian Action & Services categories at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards. One award recognized our role as social impact ecosystem builders, and the other celebrated the thought leadership of our Social Enterprise Law and Policy Report, a project led by Morrison & Foerster LLP (USA, California) and developed in collaboration with more than 65 Lex Mundi member firms. (We were also honored to see this Report featured in the 2024 Global Innovation Index—highlighting its significant influence on global innovation policy; read more about this milestone in the story below.) Chosen from over 2,300 entries worldwide, we are honored to be recognized as leaders in purpose-driven work.

As we reflect on 2024, we are grateful to work alongside inspiring leaders in the social impact space and deeply appreciative of the recognition we’ve received. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Lex Mundi staff, member firms, and attorneys. We look forward to building on this year’s success in 2025 and continuing to champion the global social entrepreneurship movement.

The 2024 Global Innovation Index: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship

In September, the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) hosted the launch event for the 2024 Global Innovation Index in Geneva. This renowned index highlights the most innovative economies in the world, ranking the performance of approximately 130 countries while spotlighting both their strengths and areas for improvement. The theme for 2024, Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship, stresses the critical role of social innovation in driving global progress.

We are thrilled to share that WIPO incorporated research and insights from “Legal Reform as a Catalyst for Social Enterprise: an international social enterprise law & policy report” (“Global Social Enterprise Policy Report”) into the index! Spearheaded by Morrison Foerster LLP (USA, California), with support from the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation and over 65 Lex Mundi member firms, the report identifies legal structures and policies that nations can adopt to foster the growth of social enterprises.

The Global Social Enterprise Policy Report played a pivotal role in shaping the Global Innovation Index, and we are honored to see its influence in this prestigious publication. The launch event featured opening remarks from the prime ministers of Turkey, Barbados, and Vietnam, along with other high-level global officials. During the event, Lex Mundi was recognized and cited as a strategic partner, underscoring the tremendous impact of this network.

We are thrilled by the growing reach of the Global Social Enterprise Policy Report and its profound impact at the highest levels. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Lex Mundi member firms whose exceptional contributions made this report possible. Your efforts are empowering social entrepreneurship and driving meaningful change around the world.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters

On behalf of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation and all our clients, we extend our deepest gratitude to the generous supporters who make our work possible. Nearly 20 years ago, eight foundations, over 100 Lex Mundi member firms, and 60 individuals provided the critical startup funding that set our organization on a successful path. Since then, Lex Mundi member firms have continued to show their unwavering commitment. In 2014, every Lex Mundi member firm pledged to support the Foundation through a portion of their Lex Mundi annual dues, providing a stable platform for our operations and enabling us to expand our reach and impact year after year.

In 2024, we are delighted to share that more than 60 member firms (highlighted below), along with individual members acting in their personal capacity, went above and beyond those annual dues to pledge additional contributions through 2026. Their extraordinary generosity allows us to continue growing and supporting the ever-increasing needs of the impact organizations we serve.

While Lex Mundi and our member firms remain the backbone of our funding, the Foundation also relies on support from other foundations and donors to close a modest funding gap and sustain our growth. We also want to extend special thanks to AARP, Halloran Philanthropies, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation for their invaluable contributions. Their support, combined with that of our member firms and individual donors, ensures we can continue to meet the rising demand for high-quality, pro bono legal support for social enterprises.

Thanks to this collective generosity, the Foundation continues to fulfill its mission, empowering social entrepreneurs and driving meaningful change worldwide. The progress and milestones we achieved in 2024—including record-breaking placements and recognition through prestigious awards—would not have been possible without this support. We are profoundly grateful for our donors’ trust, generosity, and belief in our mission. As we look ahead, we are excited to build on this momentum and invite even more supporters to join us in championing the global social entrepreneurship movement. Thank you for making a lasting impact!