On June 14, 2025, the Lawson Foundation held its Annual General Meeting, where we shared highlights from our 2024 Annual Report, now available online and summarized below.
Reflecting on a Year of Transition
2024 was a year of renewal for the Lawson Foundation. It marked the first year under the leadership of Cathy Taylor as President & CEO, and the final year of Wynne Young’s term as Board Chair. Wynne’s departure, after nine years on the Board and three as Chair, also marked a meaningful milestone: the appointment of the Foundation’s first 5th Generation Board Chair, continuing the Foundation’s commitment to intergenerational leadership.
Theme: Convening as our Superpower
The main theme of the 2024 Lawson Foundation Annual Report focused on our commitment to convening and nurturing spaces that foster trust, collaboration, and shared learning. Over the course of the year, this commitment took shape through three core gatherings bringing together participants from our core focus areas.
These gatherings reminded us that “convening, done well, helps weave the fabric that holds our impact together.”
Outdoor Play Strategy Convening (St. John’s, NL): The second cohort of the Outdoor Play Strategy (OPS) convened for the final time to reconnect and reflect on the culmination of three years of shared learning, experimentation, and collaboration. The gathering deepened the community of practice that had been established, sharing not just project updates but also challenges, questions, and values to help sustain and grow momentum across early learning and child care (ELCC).
Child and Youth Diabetes Strategy Gathering (Victoria, BC): We gathered with our Child and Youth Diabetes Strategy (CYDS) grantees, small grant recipients, and participants from a concurrent public policy circle to share stories, insights, and reflections. These intersecting circles enabled layered dialogue, connecting community-based diabetes prevention with broader discussions on health and wellness, as well as systemic change and self-determined care.
Youth Action & Environment Fellowship Retreat (Wendake, QC): We brought together the second class of our Youth Action & Environment Pilot Fellowship (YAENV), who were joined by partner coaches for a mix of structured and informal sessions. The purpose was simple but important: to start the fellowship year by meeting face-to-face, building relationships, and grounding ourselves in the work ahead.
Spotlighted Initiatives
Alongside these core gatherings, 2024 saw a range of impactful initiatives take shape, led by our team and driven by incredible partners across the country. A few highlights include:
- The Miggsie Fund supported 39 grassroots organizations in Southwestern Ontario. Through the London Funders Collaborative, the Miggsie Fund also supported an additional 22 organizations in London, Elgin, and Middlesex counties. This year marked the conclusion of the first three-year cycle of Community Grants.
- More Than a New Course: This national framework was launched to support post-secondary institutions in embedding outdoor and Land-based teaching into early childhood education. Grounded in Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems, it reflects a long-term vision for transformative educator training. (link to report)
- Starfish Canada’s Youth Environmental Changemakers Summit: Hosted on the territory of the Squamish Nation, this five-day gathering brought together 75 young leaders for outdoor learning, storytelling, and relationship-building. It marked a milestone in a partnership that began in 2018 through our 5th Gen Initiative.
- Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP) – Data Literacy 1.0: This new online module helps nonprofits strengthen their data practices. Developed collaboratively with peer funders, it offers accessible tools to help organizations turn information into action.
Read the full report: lawson.ca/annual-reports
Amanda Mayer