I. May a judge write a letter endorsing a particular charitable organization that the organization will use to support grant applications, major gift proposals, and other funding documents? II. May a judge otherwise solicit financial support for the organization? Answer: Under the Canons of Judicial Ethics, a judge is discouraged but not absolutely prohibited from participating in fund raising for charitable organizations. However, a judge must limit such participation so that he does not lend the prestige of his judicial office to fund solicitation or otherwise violate Canon 1 or Canon 2. A judge may not use his judicial title or official letterhead stationery for the purpose of fund raising for a civic or charitable organization.

WRITING A LETTER OF ENDORSEMENT FOR USE OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION IN FUND SOLICITATION; OTHER FUND RAISING FOR THE ORGANIZATION