Laidlaw Foundation

Laidlaw Foundation

Founded	1949
Founder	Robert A. Laidlaw
Location	Toronto, Ontario
Executive Director	Jehad Aliweiwi (2014-present)
Endowment (2023)	C$75.3 million[1][2]
Website	laidlawfdn.org

The Laidlaw Foundation is a Canadian charitable foundation based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1949 by Robert A. Laidlaw, the institution was established with the purpose of providing financial support for charitable, conservation, educational, and cultural organizations in the Ontario region. Mr. Laidlaw and his two sons, Nicholas and Roderick, gave more than C$11 million to the foundation out of a family fortune made from the R. Laidlaw Lumber Company.

Historically, the Laidlaw Foundation supported institutions such as the Hospital for Sick Children, the National Ballet of Canada, the National Ballet School, Upper Canada College, and the Royal Ontario Museum, among many others. In recent decades, the foundation has moved away from making major gifts to large institutions, shifting its focus to organizations and initiatives addressing child poverty, civic engagement, at-risk youth, justice for Indigenous communities, environmental sustainability, and the arts. Today, the foundation's work prioritizes Indigenous issues, and youth organizing for community change.