Photo: Assembly of Seven Generations Impact Investing Aligning our investments with community purpose / Grants & Programs / Indigenous Youth / Impact Investing About Laidlaw Foundation invests not only through grants but also through capital that strengthens communities and advances our mission. Impact investing allows us to align our financial resources with our commitment to youth-led systems change, reconciliation, and equity. We invest in organizations and enterprises that create measurable social and environmental benefit alongside financial return. Each investment reflects our belief that capital should serve people, communities, and the land. Artwork by: Grace Swain Our approach Laidlaw’s impact investing strategy is grounded in a simple idea: the assets of a foundation should be as purposeful as its programs. These investments are part of our trust-based approach to philanthropy, using all available resources in service of community well-being. Through this work, we seek investments that: Reflect our values of reconciliation, equity, and accountability Strengthen Indigenous, youth-led, and community-rooted economies Advance environmental and cultural sustainability Generate both social and financial returns Where we invest Our investments focus on partners whose work advances reconciliation, community strength, and sustainable futures. Each partnership represents a different way of aligning resources with purpose. Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Community Forward Fund Artscape Launchpad Community Bonds CoPower Green Bonds Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Raven is an Indigenous-led venture capital firm that invests in innovative Indigenous-owned enterprises. Raven’s work strengthens Indigenous sovereignty and community wealth. Laidlaw’s investment supports Indigenous entrepreneurship and reflects our belief that reconciliation includes the redistribution of capital and decision-making power. Community Forward Fund The Community Forward Fund (CFF) provides fair, flexible loans to nonprofits, charities, and social enterprises across Canada. CFF helps organizations serving their communities build financial stability and expand their impact. By investing in CFF, Laidlaw supports access to affordable, mission-aligned financing for organizations, many of which are led by Black, Indigenous, and racialized changemakers. Artscape Launchpad Community Bonds Laidlaw’s investment in Artscape’s Launchpad Community Bonds helped fund the creation of the Artscape Daniels Launchpad Project, an entrepreneurship centre for artists and designers on Toronto’s waterfront. This space provides creative professionals with training, mentorship, and resources to build sustainable careers. The investment continues Laidlaw’s history of supporting arts-based community development and protecting creative space in a growing city. CoPower Green Bonds Through CoPower, Laidlaw invested in clean energy projects across Canada, including solar and geothermal systems and energy efficiency upgrades. These projects reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and build local resilience. This investment demonstrates Laidlaw’s commitment to environmental justice and to financing climate solutions that directly benefit communities. Our history Laidlaw has a long history of using capital to support community infrastructure. The Foundation provided loans to theatre and arts groups, supported mortgages for creative spaces, and helped build facilities that foster connection and creativity. In 2014, Laidlaw’s strategic plan called on the Foundation to put all financial resources in service of its vision. This commitment led to a formal impact investing strategy that integrates environmental, social, and governance principles into asset management. Today, Laidlaw continues to explore new ways to use capital for social good while ensuring a strong financial foundation for future programs. Accountability and Learning Laidlaw shares learning with partners and peers to strengthen the field of community-based investing. Our goal is not only to grow returns but also to grow accountability, ensuring that every investment contributes to a just and sustainable future. We measure success through both financial performance and community impact. Each investment is reviewed for its contribution to: Equity and inclusion Environmental sustainability Long-term community benefit