Introducing our Funder Profiles series – a new feature in our Sustainable Solutions Blog that will acquaint inquisitive grant-seekers with the mandates, interests and crucial information about funding sources from across Canada. For our inaugural piece, we feature one of Ontario’s largest and most comprehensive private foundations – the Laidlaw Foundation.
Established in 1949, the Laidlaw Foundation “supports young people impacted by the justice, education, and child-welfare systems to become healthy and engaged by investing in innovative ideas, convening interested parties, advocating for systems change, and sharing learning across the sector.” The governing board of twelve (12) directors formulated a 5-year strategic plan in 2019 that aims to address the needs of Ontario’s youth affected negatively by multiple systemic barriers.
A staff of four (4) manages a sophisticated assortment of funding opportunities mainly for Indigenous youth-led projects and initiatives that engage young people in all aspects of civic life. Any organization interested in submitting a proposal is thoroughly recommended to contact the Foundation first to determine if their project is a fit.
Below are the primary grants awarded by Laidlaw Foundation:
Youth Action Fund – Grants to “grassroots initiatives working with youth who are under-served by the education system and overrepresented in the justice and child welfare systems”;
Youth CI – Assistance to “organizations in local communities across Ontario to learn about, develop launch and implement collective impact approaches that directly improve outcomes for youth in their community”;
Indigenous Strategy – The Foundation is “committed to being more visible and intentional in our work with Indigenous communities and in our efforts to support action on the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, and;
Indigenous Youth & Community Futures Fund – Opportunities for “Indigenous youth to connect with their land, languages and cultures, and strengthen and deepen their relationships within and across Indigenous communities. We also support the transmission of cultural practices and knowledge to future generations”.
In 2020 the Laidlaw Foundation maintained assets of $81,877,868 and allocated $3.183,879 to 86 projects throughout the province of Ontario. Grant sizes ranged from $500 to $535,000 and the bulk of the initiatives supported projects-oriented expenses. The Foundation does not support capital initiatives.
“Advancing the social health and inclusion of Ontario’s” youth by discovering the “root causes of social inequities” and identifying “practical solutions through the work of our grantees and advocacy efforts” is another key role of the Foundation. Directors and staff strive to empower “young people and communities to achieve their full potential as we advocate for evidence-based and innovative policy solutions”.
To learn more about the Laidlaw Foundation’s application process, please visit their website by hitting the button below:
