About Laidlaw Foundation Investing in youth-led systems change across Ontario / About About the Foundation Laidlaw Foundation is a justice-oriented funder that supports Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth leading solutions to dismantle systemic barriers in education, justice, child welfare, and environmental systems. We invest in youth and community-led initiatives through grants, partnerships, convening, advocacy, and impact investing. We believe young people already have the insight and capacity to transform systems. Our role is to resource their work, remove barriers, and share what we learn together to build a more equitable and inclusive society. Mission Laidlaw Foundation invests in Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth who are leading solutions to dismantle systemic barriers in education, justice, child welfare, and environmental systems. We do this by providing flexible funding, advocating for systems change, and sharing knowledge to build a more just and equitable future. Vision An inclusive society where youth leadership is centered in decision-making and all young people, especially those disproportionately marginalized by systems, have the power to create a future grounded in justice, equity, and self-determination. Values Laidlaw Foundation’s values shape every decision we make, from grantmaking to governance to storytelling. They define how we work in accountable relationship with communities and how we aim to transform philanthropy itself. Reconciliation We honour Indigenous sovereignty by embedding reconciliation into our operations, investments, and funding practices. This includes building authentic relationships, returning resources, and taking responsibility for the Foundation’s role in colonial history. Engagement and Empowerment We fund youth-led work exclusively. Youth design, lead, and evaluate the programs we support. Our role is to listen, resource, and adapt based on what we learn from their leadership. Accountability We are accountable to youth, communities, and partners, not just to our internal systems. Accountability is built through transparency, shared learning, and ongoing reflection. Equity We embed equity in all policies, practices, and partnerships. This includes acknowledging the roots of our wealth, prioritizing historically excluded communities, and challenging inequity in the philanthropic sector. Responsiveness We listen deeply and act with care. Our approach is flexible, adaptive, and grounded in long-term relationships that respond to community priorities and evolving realities. Values Laidlaw Foundation’s values shape every decision we make, from grantmaking to governance to storytelling. They define how we work in accountable relationship with communities and how we aim to transform philanthropy itself. Reconciliation Engagement Accountability Equity Responsiveness Reconciliation We honour Indigenous sovereignty by embedding reconciliation into our operations, investments, and funding practices. This includes building authentic relationships, returning resources, and taking responsibility for the Foundation’s role in colonial history. Engagement and Empowerment We fund youth-led work exclusively. Youth design, lead, and evaluate the programs we support. Our role is to listen, resource, and adapt based on what we learn from their leadership. Accountability We are accountable to youth, communities, and partners, not just to our internal systems. Accountability is built through transparency, shared learning, and ongoing reflection. Equity We embed equity in all policies, practices, and partnerships. This includes acknowledging the roots of our wealth, prioritizing historically excluded communities, and challenging inequity in the philanthropic sector. Responsiveness We listen deeply and act with care. Our approach is flexible, adaptive, and grounded in long-term relationships that respond to community priorities and evolving realities. Our strategic direction Laidlaw Foundation’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan builds on our decades-long commitment to youth-led systems change. The plan reaffirms our role as a learning organization that partners with youth, community organizers, and funders to make philanthropy more equitable. 1. Invest in youth-led solutions Support youth leadership for social change across education, justice, child welfare, and environmental systems. 2. Dismantle systemic barriers to advance equity Champion grantee-led advocacy, storytelling, and organizing that challenge the status quo and drive institutional change. 3. Centre our mission, vision, values, and theory of philanthropy Transform how philanthropy operates by embedding equity, governance accountability, and community leadership into every level of the organization. How we work Laidlaw Foundation operates through a mix of granting, convening, advocacy, and investment. Our approach recognizes that systems change requires multiple forms of resourcing, from direct project funding to policy influence and sector learning. We support youth and community-led organizations that are creating change today, not someday. Our relationships are built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to justice. Black Youth Fund Black Youth Strategy Impact Investing Indigenous Strategy Indigenous Youth & Community Futures Fund Nathan Gilbert Youth Innovation Fellowship Youth Action Fund