Stories

As a “one-time budding rock star,” StarTech.com Founder and CEO Paul Seed dreamed of a career in music. But life had other plans. After starting a successful business in the 80s, shortly following graduation from Western University, Paul realized that being an entrepreneur was his true calling

Time. Talent. Treasures. Without those three words, our community and our country would be vastly colder and much less hospitable. And International Women’s Day is a perfect occasion to say, ‘thank you.’

It is with a heavy heart that I share sad news with you today. Martha Powell, London Community Foundation’s President and CEO from 2007 to 2023, passed away on March 1 enveloped in the love of her family and friends. The London Community Foundation Board of Directors and staff, past and present, are devastated by Martha’s loss, and we know our fundholders, donors, volunteers, and community partners are also grieving.

Yasmin Hussain from the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support & Integration shares an update on the work done with the support of the Strong Together Fund. In 2021, $122,203.48 was granted to the MRCSSI to help with the response to the impacts of terrorist attack on Our London Family.

2024 Sees the start of a two-year term for Jim Alexander as London Community Foundation’s Board Chair, taking over from Erin Naylor. Jim recently shared some of his thoughts on his new position with us.

When Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre applied for a Community Vitality Grant in 2022, they shared with us a concerning 470% increase in clients reporting food insecurity to their healthcare provider from 2018 to 2021. 

The Geddes Family Foundation, administered through the London Community Foundation, announces a substantial donation to Junior Achievement South Western Ontario (JASWO) in support of the charity’s “The Next 60 Starts Here” 60th Anniversary campaign. Established in 2018, the Geddes Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting education and health initiatives

Supporters gathered at the Goodwill Centre in downtown London in late September to celebrate the publication of a new graphic novel for high school students to help them talk about mental health. Feeling Weird, a graphic novel that “acts as a starting point for young people to share with educators, parents or health professionals the “weird” feelings they have,” according to co-writer Christopher Sweeney. The story features high school students doing their best to get by while facing mental, emotional, and other challenges. 

London Community Foundation is experiencing technical difficulties with our current phone system. We apologize for any challenges you may experience reaching us while we work to fix the problem. We are in the process of installing a new phone system and we expect our phones to be running smoothly after that work is complete. 

Ron Dawson believed he had a civic responsibility to his community. He wanted to help whoever he could, however he could. Thankfully, his sense of responsibility led him to London Community Foundation, where he became a genuine advocate for our model and a huge believer in the Foundation's work.

London Community Foundation funds 33 community service organizations through the Community Services Recovery Fund.