About us
The Lawson Foundation is a Canadian family foundation that invests in and engages with ideas, people and organizations that contribute to the healthy development and wellbeing of children and youth in Canada.
Our Strategic Tools
We Grant. We Convene. We Advocate. We (Impact) Invest.
Granting
We take a flexible approach to funding, recognizing that different aspirations and needs require different types of support.
Convening
We bring together our partners to foster connections, facilitate shared learning, and strengthen networks that amplify impact.
Advocacy
We use our voice, platform, and partnerships to advance ideas and policies that align with our mission.
Impact Investing
We engage in impact investing to leverage the assets we steward for positive social and environmental impact.
Guiding Purpose
The healthy development of children and youth is essential for their present and future wellbeing and is deeply intertwined with Canada’s social, economic, and environmental health.
We believe a strong relationship with nature and the land, a commitment to reconciliation, and systems that support inclusive and equitable approaches to mental and physical wellbeing are key to ensuring all children and youth can thrive.
Our Impact Areas
Our current funding priorities reflect the Lawson Foundation’s history, values, and long-term commitment, highlighting where we believe our resources can drive meaningful and lasting change.
Early Child Development
We support public policy and professional learning initiatives to build and strengthen a pan-Canadian system of Early Learning and Child Care.
Our Desired Impact: All young children in Canada have access to high-quality, publicly funded early learning opportunities to support their healthy development.
Child & Youth Diabetes
We support Indigenous-led organizations doing wholistic community-based work in diabetes prevention and management.
Our Desired Impact: Children and youth in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have access to wholistic, community-based diabetes prevention and management initiatives, reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Youth Climate & Nature Leadership
We support key infrastructure organizations to equip and empower young people to address climate change and protect our natural world.
Our Desired Impact: Youth are empowered with the skills, resources, experiences and connections needed to lead climate action, build solutions and drive environmental change.
Sector Infrastructure
We support organizations that strengthen the charitable and nonprofit sector and those that contribute to building the fields in which we fund.
Our Desired Impact: Canada has a strong, resilient charitable and nonprofit sector equipped with the resources, policy support, and collaborative networks needed to effectively serve communities and address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Miggsie
Fund
Honouring Miggsie Lawson's legacy and deep care for the region, we support a range of organizations and initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing in London, Elgin and Middlesex counties and local Indigenous nations, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delware Nation.
Our Desired Impact: Organizations and leaders are better positioned to meet community needs, drive positive change and create equitable opportunities for all.
Strategic Direction
Learn more about our desired impact and what is guiding our work.
Our People
Learn more about Lawson Foundation Staff, Board, and Committees
Sharing Our Impact
Whether you are looking for information about our grants, our impact investments, or our program expenditures, we are committed to make our data and information open and accessible.
Annual Reports
Our annual reports and audited financial statements provide information about our activities, outcomes and impact for a given year.
Our History
As we celebrate 60 years of family philanthropy, we asked members of the Lawson Family to share their thoughts on what family philanthropy means to them and the impact of generosity that spans generations.
Foundation House
The Lawson Foundation has officially taken up residence at Foundation House – a hub for philanthropic collaboration, learning and sharing in Toronto.
Philanthropy and Reconciliation
The Lawson Foundation is committed to supporting and advancing the work of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada