Name of Foundation: Laidlaw Foundation
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Contact info: http://laidlawfdn.org/about/contact-us/
Phone: 416-964-3614
Coverage Area: Canada (most grants go to Toronto metropolitan area)
Subject Area: Youth organizing (age 15-25)
Assets: $53 million (2011)
Last Year Total Giving: $2,300,000 (2011)
In a nutshell: Established in 1949 by Robert A. Laidlaw and later further endowed by other family members all of whom drew their money from the R Laidlaw Lumber Company. While originally very diversified, since the 1980’s the foundation has been primarily focused on children’s issues, including child development, mental health and at-risk youth. Its core vision involves supporting diverse and environmentally healthy communities by promoting youth engagement in community.
The foundation includes many members of the Laidlaw family but none of them are on the board of directors which is currently chaired by John Fox who is also the CEO of Robins Appleby & Taub, a prominent Toronto law firm.
Major Programs:
The Laidlaw Foundation currently has two major funding programs:
The Youth Organizing Project
The Youth Social Infrastructure Program
How to Apply:
Application to the Youth Organizing requires submission of a formal proposal, a work-plan and financial information. A link to all necessary information can be found here.
The foundation considers applications for the social infrastructure program by invitation only
The most recent deadline for grant applications was in April, 2013. Moving forward the foundation has not committed to what types of programs they will funding in the future. They ask that applicants Check back in January 2014 for information on new activities and processes.
Recent News and Grantmaking: