Vital People Award 

Nominations now closed

Charities are vital to our community and the employees within them play a significant role in creating an inclusive community for everyone. This award recognizes individuals or groups working in the London and Middlesex County charitable sector with funding for professional development.

The Foundation understands that growing the skills and effectiveness of employees results in stronger organizations and greater community impact.

We welcome nominations for professional development that occurs by December 31 of the current year. Successful nominations will be notified by late March.

Questions or do you require an alternative submission format?

Contact grants@lcf.on.ca

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$10,000
Total Amount Available



$2,000
Award amount maximum

2024 recipients +

Brooklyn Einwiller, SARI
Karissa Hill, London Children’s Museum
Clinical Services Team, Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners
Yvette Scrivener, Childreach
Kaitlin Creighton, London Environmental Network
Alicia Gall, Junior Achievement South Western Ontario
Operations Team, ReForest London

2023 recipients +

Luisa Henao, Changing Ways
Karen Chafe, Junior Achievement
Gabriella Di Valentin, Grounded Roots; Open Wings
Angie George, Oneida Nation of the Thames

2022 recipients +

Lara Vlach, Childreach
Bailey Tschirsow, Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario
Nicola Memo, Family Service Thames Valley
Leah Derikx, London Environmental Network
Megan Papadakos, ATN Access for Persons with Disabilities Inc.
Brittany Kosir, The Sunshine Foundation of Canada

2021 recipients +

Vanessa McVicar, Finance Assistant, Let's Talk Science
**Grant: ** $1,300

Natasha Thuemler, Regional Manager, London, Indwell
**Grant: ** $2,436.75

Tamara Nelson, Coordinator of Volunteer and Recreation Services, Alzheimer Society London -Middlesex
**Grant: ** $700

Sidney Robertson, CoFund Development Coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area
**Grant: ** $1.020.75

Sydney Phillips, Communications Specialist, Salthaven Wildlife
**Grant: ** $2,542.50

James Coolidge, Executive Director, YFC London
**Grant: ** $2,000

2020 recipients +

Deirdre Crilly, Development Officer, Let's Talk Science
**Grant: ** $740

Brianne Curry, Westminster Ponds Centre Coordinator & Director of Programs, ReForest London
**Grant: ** $1,128

Jamie Fenton, Programs & Services Manager, London Children's Museum
**Grant: ** $1,902

Valerie Kerr, Adult Education Facilitator, Hutton House Association for Adults with Disabilities
**Grant: ** $1,700

Jacqueline McKernan, Program Manager, Northern Bridge Community Partnership
**Grant: ** $1,100

Ermina Melkic, Finance Coordinator and Graphic Design Specialist, Learning Disabilities Association of London Region
**Grant: ** $1,000

Rebecca Milec, Manager, Marketing & Communications, Children's Health Foundation
**Grant: ** $500

Melissa Pushelberg, Multimedia Designer, Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario
**Grant: ** $930

Kim Quin, RN, Woodfield Gate, Indwell
**Grant: ** $1,000

2019 recipients +

Chad Callander, Manager, Fundraising and Community Engagement, Meals on Wheels London **Grant: ** $1,000

Kirsti Cheese, Community Connector System Coordinator, Childreach **Grant: ** $700

Vanessa Eastmure, Exhibits & Collections Coordinator, London Regional Children's Museum **Grant: ** $1,000

Stephanie Field, Director of Operations & Development, Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario **Grant: ** $380

Christine Freeman, Manager, Partnerships & Philanthropy, The Sunshine Foundation of Canada **Grant: ** $500

Paul Fujimoto-Pihl, Technical Director/Interim Production Manager, The Grand Theatre **Grant: ** $2,000

Norma-Jean Greenslade, Treasurer, St. Paul's Cathedral **Grant: ** $450

Olivia Langford, Program Instructor, SARI Therapeutic Riding **Grant: ** $800

Bronagh Morgan, Executive Director, Bereaved Families of Ontario - Southwest **Grant: ** $850

Lore Wainwright, Interim Executive Director, Pillar Nonprofit Network **Grant: ** $555

2018 recipients +

Carley Andison, Coordinator, Wish & Volunteer Services, Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario
Grant: $750

MacKenzie Hamilton Shaw, Trainer, Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre Inc.
Grant: $1,000

Jay Lawrence, Community Youth Sports Coordinator, London Youth for Christ (YFC)
Grant: $400

Brianna Evans, Communications Associate, Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario
Grant: $1,000

Sam Dow, Operations Manager, London Community Resource Centre
Grant: $365

Skylar Franke, Network Coordinator, Thames Talbot Land Trust
Grant: $415

Renée Coughlin, Education Specialist, London Regional Children’s Museum
Grant: $430

Amanda Conlon, Executive Director, London Regional Children’s Museum
Grant: $1,000

Albert Brule, Director Resource & Business Development, Pillar Nonprofit Network
Grant: $2,000

Rebecca Machado, Executive Director, Daya Counselling Centre
Grant: $1,350

Jessie Collins, Education Specialist, London Regional Children’s Museum
Grant: $675

Kelsey Nicholls, Community Engagement Coordinator, ReForest London
Grant: $932.92

2017 recipients +

Erin Bhatia, Manager of Special Events & Creative Design, Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario
Grant: $500

Chelsea Johnson, Human Resource and Workplace Culture Lead, Family Service Thames Valley
Grant: $1,000

Dawn Fulmer, Manager, Development & Communications Manager, WAYS Mental Health Support
Grant: $1,000

Nancy McFadden, Development Associate, Canadian Cancer Society
Grant: $1,000

Pam Cullen, Executive Director, London Community Chaplaincy
Grant: $1,000

Megan Kesich, Community Outreach and Support, Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Grant: $1,5000

Avril Rinn, Counsellor, ATN Access for Persons with Disabilities
Grant: $2,000

Summer Thorp, (+) Positive Voice Program Coordinator, Nokee Kwe
Grant: $2,000

2016 recipients +

Brittany Kinchen, Wish Coordinator, Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario
Grant: $2,000

Carolyn Underwood, Registered Social Worker, Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex (ASLM)
Grant: $1,900

Kathy Chute, Program Coordinator, Learning Disabilities Association of London Region (LDALR)
Grant: $2,000

Sonja Dennis, Director of Music, Colborne Street United Church
Grant: $2,000

Sarah Montes
Grant: $2,000