Special and Advised Programs

Through the Special program, the Foundation has the flexibility to explore new opportunities, to respect historical associations, to support the ongoing work of a grantee, and to collaborate with funders and partners. The Advised program allows the Board of Directors, using limited funds reserved for this purpose, to support initiatives in their home communities.

GRANTS AWARDED

Atkinson Charitable Foundation

$300,000      2007-2009

Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW).The CIW is a set of indicators designed to provide a clear, valid and regular measure linking economic realities with the social, health and environmental conditions that shape our nation and our communities. For the development and national dissemination of the CIW to promote Canada's genuine progress and to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. The Lawson Foundation collaborated with a group of funders, including the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, Canadian Council on Learning and J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, to support this initiative.

$160,000      2011-2012

Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW).The CIW is a set of indicators designed to provide a clear, valid and regular measure linking economic realities with the social, health and environmental conditions that shape our nation and our communities. To support enhanced communications/website development, public engagement (including annual symposia, community meetings and focus groups) and Canadian partnership development to ensure widespread knowledge sharing as the CIW transitions to a new permanent home at the University of Waterloo. The Lawson Foundation collaborated with a group of funders, including the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, Canadian Council on Learning and J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, to support this initiative.

BC Council for Families

$14,000      2007

To support the 10th Anniversary Workshop of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program in British Columbia.

Central City Foundation

$10,000     2009

The Crossing Youth Residential Treatment Centre. To support the delivery of the Portage Program for Drug Dependencies. In memory of Dan Snook.

Children's Health Foundation

$600,000      2005-2007

Step-Down Unit and Parent Unit. Family Care Areas within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit help educate and build the confidence of new parents to care for their vulnerable infants. Toward the development of the two units dedicated in honour of Dr. Victor Han and Miggsie Lawson.

Huron University College Foundation

$750,000      2012-2016

Huron-Lawson Chair in Pastoral Theology.  In the 1980s and 90s, contributions from The Lawson Foundation helped launch the Huron-Lawson Chair in Pastoral Theology in the Faculty of Theology, Huron University College in London, Ontario. The Chair prepares students to be effective religious and social leaders, particularly in the areas of communication and pastoral care. The educational focus in pastoral theology is on leadership development, homiletics (i.e., preaching and other forms of public speaking), liturgics (i.e., conducting services of worship and public prayer), practical administration, ethics, and compassionate care for individuals and families during times of crisis, grieving or need. Pastoral theology lies at the heart of the Faculty of Theology’s training. For its students, pastoral theology is the touchstone for all ministry and a skill essential to success in their chosen careers whether in the clergy or the community at large.

The total $1,000,000 grant is funded by two program areas at The Lawson Foundation:  Special Program - $750,000 and Miggsie Lawson Program - $250,000. 

Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation for the Offord Centre for Child Studies

$500,000      2007-2010

Offord Centre Research Training Program for Young Scientists. Training program for new scientists interested in studying the factors that influence healthy child development at the national, neighbourhood, school, family and individual levels. These researchers will share a vision of excellence in the creation of applied research programs and work in a multi-disciplinary environment.

London & Area Food Bank

$10,000      2010

To support The London & Area Food Bank, a front-line agency assisting those struggling to make ends meet and food warehouse to assist people in need.

McGill University

$123,000      2006-2007

Participatory Research at McGill (PRAM). The centre will promote the understanding of and expertise and training in participatory research for health care and will reach out to engage community-based partners in research projects. Toward the development of a multi-disciplinary participatory research network at McGill University.

$257,200      2008-2011

Participatory Research at McGill (PRAM). PRAM promotes the understanding of and expertise and training in participatory research for health care and will reach out to engage community-based partners in research projects. For additional seed funding for salary and program support to advance the centre and help secure sustaining funding from other sources.

Mission Services of London Foundation

$15,000      2010

Mission Services opens doors of hope to those seeking emergency shelter and support, by offering safe shelter, food, and clothing and by facilitating rehabilitation as needed, in an atmosphere of compassion. For urgent needs in the London community.

Nature Conservancy of Canada

$450,000      2007

Protecting Ontario's Biodiversity: Stewardship of the Hewlett-Packard Property in the Frontenac Arch Natural Area. To support the long-term protection of ecologically-significant land on the Frontenac Arch, north of Kingston, Ontario.

 Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)

$150,000      2010-2011

Successful Academic and Vocational Transition Initiative (SAVTI). SAVTI assists childhood cancer survivors who, as a result of their disease and/or treatment, have developed learning difficulties that interfere with the achievement of their educational and career goals. SAVTI bridges the gap between high school and post secondary educational settings with a counselling process and resources to assist these youth to select pathways to prepare for the rest of their lives as independent adults. For program support.

Philanthropic Foundations Canada (PFC)

$45,000 2012-2016

3-year Strategic Capacity Building Plan. To collaborate with a group of leading foundations to support PFC to achieve its vision to grow as a philanthropic hub organization, to advance philanthropic interests and assets of its members and to grow the field of organized philanthropy in Canada.

Schools Without Borders

$339,000      2008-2010

Sustainable Youth-led Organizational Capacity Project. The Grassroots Youth Collaborative is a collective of diverse youth-led organizations that work in under-served, lower-income, at-risk communities in Toronto. To support and strengthen the Collaborative’s training, mentoring and networking activities to ensure member organizations have sustainable skills and resources to support existing and emerging youth-led initiatives.

Sky Works Charitable Foundation

$1,000,000      2007-2010

Building a Sustainable Future: Working with Documentaries to Engage Communities in Social Change. To support Sky Works to build its strengths and capacity to transition from a project-based to a program-based organization, ensuring the sustainability of its work to create innovative, relevant documentaries for social change and to use those films to conduct broad-based community development.

Sky Works Charitable Foundation

$360,000      2011-2013

Building a Sustainable Future: Working with Documentaries to Engage Communities in Social Change. To continue support for Sky Works as it builds its strengths and its capacity to transition from a project-based to a program-based organization, ensuring the sustainability of its work to create innovative, relevant documentaries for social change and to use those films to conduct broad-based community development.

United Way of London & Middlesex

$10,000     2010

Toward the New Beginnings Loan Fund.

University of Victoria

$40,000      2011

Documenting the success and learning of the Laichwiltach Family Life Services Society of Campbell River, BC. The Laichwiltach Family Life Services Society of Campbell River, B.C. is a culturally based, community-operated, multi-service hub that has been successfully supporting Indigenous families in a holistic way and in the context of family life for nearly two decades. To complete and broadly disseminate a DVD and companion screening guide to document and share broadly the success and learning of this proven community-based model to promote optimal child development.

Advised ($10,000+)

• Breakfast for Learning ($10,000) 2011
• Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing ($10,000) 2011
• Camp Awakening ($10,000) 2011
• Community Foundations Canada ($10,000) 2011
• Equitas - International Centre for Human Rights Education ($10,000) 2011
• Inter Pares ($15,000) 2011
• Journalists for Human Rights ($10,000) 2011
• La Fondation Go ($20,000) 2011 
• Nature Conservancy of Canada ($10,000) 2011
• PHS Community Services Society ($10,000) 2011
• Pacific Parkinson's Research Institute - Vancouver Canada Society ($10,000) 2011
• Tyndale St. Georges Community Centre ($17,500) 2011
• Waseskun ($10,000) 2012