Our work

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.

How we engage

Centre Relationships and Learning – Trust, reciprocity, and deep relationships are at the heart of our work. We listen, learn, and challenge our own assumptions with openness, curiosity, and humility.
Are Flexible and Forward-Thinking – We take an adaptive and entrepreneurial approach to grantmaking, valuing flexibility, innovation, and a readiness to pivot as needed.
Collaborate for Greater Impact – We believe in collective action, recognizing that deeper and more sustainable change happens through strong partnerships and shared goals.
See the Bigger Picture – We work wholistically, understanding the interconnectedness of policy, practice and how they impact communities.
Strengthen Our Ecosystem and Amplify Voices – We actively invest in the fields we support, helping to build capacity, share learning, and amplify the voices of our partners to increase their impact.
Take Bold Steps and Long-Term Commitments – We are willing to take the first step, investing early and taking risks while also committing for the long haul when needed.
Build on Experience, Prepare for the Future – We draw on the Foundation’s decades of experience while engaging the next generation of leaders to ensure continuity and future success.

What and Why We Fund

Leadership – Strong leadership drives meaningful change, so we invest in people who make things happen. Our funding can be used to support professional wages, pensions, benefits, and staff development.
Public Policy, Research & Advocacy – We invest in systemic change efforts to create large-scale, lasting benefits for communities.
Prevention & Early Intervention – We look for upstream solutions that aim to prevent challenges before they take root.
Sector Infrastructure & Networks – We support the backbone organizations and networks that enable the charitable and nonprofit sector to thrive.
Evaluation & Knowledge Sharing – We fund research and evaluation that generates learning, builds evidence, and we share our insights openly.

Our Guiding Lenses

Three guiding lenses shape how we engage, make decisions, and fund. We believe that applying them in a cross-cutting, integrated way can strengthen our overall impact. These lenses act as connective tissue across our Impact Areas—enhancing outcomes and deepening the relevance of our work. These beliefs are grounded in learning from our experiences and history, as well as ongoing research and deep listening to our partners and grantees. Not every project, partnership, or investment will reflect or integrate all three, but we use them as tools for reflection, learning, and dialogue

Connection to Nature

We value opportunities for children and youth to build strong relationships with nature and the land, fostering resilience, wholistic health, and environmental stewardship.

We believe that a connection to nature is fundamental to the growth and resilience of children and youth. Time spent learning outdoors in relationship with nature strengthens mental and physical health, builds confidence, and fosters environmental stewardship. We recognize that Indigenous Peoples have long understood the land as a teacher, healer, and source of identity. Barriers to accessing nature stand in the way of young people experiencing these benefits.

We believe that a meaningful connection to nature depends on a thriving planet. As young people inherit the growing impacts of climate change—disproportionately affecting their health, wellbeing, and future—they must be empowered to lead solutions. We have a responsibility to support their leadership in driving systemic change, advocating for climate action, and strengthening climate resilience in their communities.

Reconciliation & Reciprocity

We center Indigenous knowledges, leadership, and self-determination, ensuring that our work advances meaningful reconciliation and equitable futures for Indigenous children and youth.

We believe that reconciliation and reciprocity with Indigenous communities are essential to Canada’s social, economic, and environmental wellbeing. We recognize that reconciliation is both about redress and about creating a future where Indigenous children and youth can thrive in their cultures, languages, and communities. We are committed to supporting Indigenous self-determination, equitable opportunities, and wholistic approaches that foster collective wellbeing.

Mental Health

We value mental health as a vital part of children and youth wellbeing, shaped by the environments, relationships, and communities that surround them.

We believe mental health is foundational to how children and youth learn, grow, connect, and thrive. It is shaped by a range of social, environmental, and cultural factors —such as a sense of belonging, connection to nature, freedom from discrimination, and access to supportive relationships and spaces. We value approaches that honour the wholistic nature of mental wellbeing, reduce stigma, and centre compassion, equity, and care. We believe that strong communities and responsive systems play a vital role in nurturing the conditions for mental wellness.

Our Impact Areas

Our current funding priorities reflect the Foundation’s history, values, and long-term commitment, highlighting where we believe our resources can drive meaningful and lasting change. While each impact area is distinct, we actively seek opportunities for intersection to amplify our efforts. Together, these areas contribute to our broader mission: fostering the healthy development and wellbeing of children and youth across Canada.

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 (PDF)

Learn more about our desired impact and what is guiding our work.