Lawson Charitable Foundation

05/12/2026

🚨 Grant season check-in! 🚨

We are officially halfway through the Lawson Charitable Foundation’s 2026 Impact Grant application period — and WOW… we’ve already received so many amazing applications 💙

Our funding priorities include:
✨ Caregiver Respite Assistance
✨ Children’s Mental Health
✨ Special Needs Assistance for Children
✨ Veterans Assistance
✨ Critical Needs Assistance

As we head into the second half, here are a couple quick reminders:

✔️ New to LCF?
Please visit our website first to make sure your organization meets our eligibility guidelines and aligns with our giving areas before applying.

✔️ Returning applicant?
Be sure to submit your 2025 Impact Grant report by June 1 to remain eligible for 2026 funding!

📌 P.S. Grant reporting guidelines are available on our website 🙂

Thank you to every organization taking the time to share your mission and work with us. We love seeing the incredible impact happening in communities every day!

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in our communities. While our primary geographic focus is New England, we welcome applications from organizations, doing extraordinary work beyond the region as well.

04/22/2026

🚨 It’s GO time! 🚨

Our Impact Grant application is officially OPEN and we’re ready to learn about the incredible work happening in our communities 💙

🗓 Apply by June 30

A little reminder for our amazing 2025 Impact Grant partners:
👉 Your grant report is due by June 1, 2026 to be eligible for 2026 funding.

We promise—we actually love reading your reports. (Truly. They’re full of impact, heart, real stories, and a few boring yet important numbers 😀.)

Think you’re a fit? Head to our website to learn more and apply!
https://lawsoncharitablefoundation.org/

04/20/2026

Good luck to all of our incredible nonprofit partners and everyone running the Boston Marathon today!

We’re cheering you on and so inspired by the passion and purpose you bring to every mile. 💙💛🏃‍♂️

04/10/2026

What a meaningful day at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

We were so proud to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the Lawson Community Room, a beautiful new space recognizing the largest gift ever made to the Food Bank.

This extraordinary personal gift from Cathy and Tom Lawson was made in November 2025 in response to the urgent need for food support here in Rhode Island. It reflects the family’s deep love for this community and their commitment to helping neighbors facing food insecurity.

Joined by RICFB board members, staff, and friends, the celebration was a powerful reminder of the lasting impact generosity can have.

We are grateful to everyone who helped mark this special milestone. 💙

04/03/2026

🌷 Our Spring Newsletter Has Arrived!

This season’s edition is filled with hope, gratitude, and meaningful updates from the Foundation.

As we welcome spring, we are also taking time to celebrate the life and legacy of our beloved co-founder, Tom Lawson. His compassion, generosity, and the way he treated everyone with dignity continue to inspire the heart of our work.

Inside this edition:
✨ Our 401Gives Amplify Grant update
🧩 A nonprofit partner spotlight in honor of Autism Awareness Month
📣 The opening of our Impact Grant portal
💙 Reflections on the legacy that continues to guide us forward

We hope you’ll take a few moments to read along and celebrate the incredible work happening across our giving areas this spring.

https://mailchi.mp/lawsoncharitablefoundation/springnewsletter25-4692401

As we close the first quarter of 2026, I am filled with gratitude for what has been along with hope and excitement for what’s to come in 2026.

03/30/2026

We’re so excited to be part of 401Gives for the second year in a row! 💙

This year, we awarded $40,100 in Amplify Grants to 26 amazing nonprofits taking part in this year’s 401Gives campaign through United Way of Rhode Island.

Yep… $40,100 😉 We had to have a little fun with that total.

We’ve put together a page on our website featuring all 26 nonprofits we selected, with direct links to each organization’s 401Gives page so you can easily support the causes closest to your heart.

Take a look, discover some incredible work happening in our community, and help us amplify their fundraising efforts.

✨ Visit the link below to explore the nonprofits and give directly.

https://lawsoncharitablefoundation.org/2026_401gives_amplify_grants/

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is proud to participate in 401Gives for the second year in a row, continuing our commitment to strengthening the incredible nonprofit community that serves Rhode Island and beyond.

03/10/2026

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved co-founder, Tom Lawson.

Tom was deeply loved and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His kindness, generosity, and quiet commitment to helping others shaped not only the Lawson Charitable Foundation, but also the many lives and communities he touched.

While we mourn this tremendous loss, we are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind — one rooted in compassion, humility, and a genuine desire to make a difference. His spirit will continue to guide the work of the Foundation and will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Tom’s obituary is shared below for those who wish to learn more about his remarkable life.

Our thoughts are with his family and all who loved him.

View Thomas A. Lawson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/18/2026

✨ The 401Gives Amplify Grant is NOW OPEN! ✨

We are excited to share that applications are officially open for the Lawson Charitable Foundation’s 401Gives Amplify Grant!

This special grant opportunity was created to help participating nonprofits strengthen and amplify their 401Gives fundraising efforts. We know how much heart goes into preparing for this incredible day of giving — and we’re here to support that momentum.

✔️ Must be a registered 501(c)(3)

✔️ Must be registered for 401Gives

✔️ Full eligibility details available on our website

If your organization is gearing up for 401Gives, powered by our friends at United Way of Rhode Island, we encourage you to review the guidelines and apply!

Let’s amplify generosity across Rhode Island 💙

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in our communities. While our primary geographic focus is New England, we welcome applications from organizations, doing extraordinary work beyond the region as well.

02/16/2026

🚀 Ready to amplify your 401Gives fundraising? We are!

On February 18, we’re opening applications for our 401Gives Amplify Grant — created to help boost your 401Gives campaign and add extra excitement to your fundraising efforts!

If you’re participating in 401Gives, powered by our friends at United Way of Rhode Island, make sure:

✔️ You’re a registered 501(c)(3)

✔️ You’re officially registered for 401Gives

✔️ You’ve reviewed our eligibility on our website

We love seeing the creativity and community spirit that 401Gives brings each year — and we’re excited to amplify it alongside you! 💙

Stay tuned!
https://lawsoncharitablefoundation.org/for-grant-seekers/ -grant

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in our communities. While our primary geographic focus is New England, we welcome applications from organizations, doing extraordinary work beyond the region as well.

01/26/2026

What a storm! Looking out at 1-2 feet of snow (and as we prep for a quick round 2), we’re thinking about all the kids who headed outside bundled up in their new winter coats through Operation Warm.

Warm kids = happy kids.

Happy kids = snow angels, sledding, and pure winter joy.

We are so honored go support this program with a 2025 Impact Grant, aligning with our Critical Needs giving area. On days like today, we are reminded why this work matters.

You can read the full Story of Impact behind this partnership on our website — it’s a good one. ❄️🧥💙
https://lawsoncharitablefoundation.org/operation_warm/

In partnership with Operation Warm, the Lawson Charitable Foundation supported the distribution of new, high-quality winter coats and shoes to children in the Providence area—because warmth is not a luxury; it is a basic need.