The Lawson Charitable Foundation was created in 2021 by Cathy and Tom Lawson. The mission of the Foundation is to help those that are working hard to help themselves and others.
At the Heart of Our Mission: Five Areas of Giving
In 2025, we proudly awarded over $550,000 in Impact Grants to 44 nonprofit organizations working across five key giving areas:
Celebrating the Work of Our Nonprofit Partners
Each partner brings compassion, innovation, and deep local knowledge to the communities they serve. From trauma-informed youth programs to transitional housing for veterans, these grants fuel tangible change and lasting resilience. We are so proud to support organizations throughout New England who are working hard to help themselves and others.
How These Grants Make a Difference
These grants are more than funding—they’re a vote of confidence in the people behind the programs. Whether it’s a small team offering emergency support to families in crisis or a regional nonprofit expanding access to mental health care, each recipient reflects the values of dignity, hope, and community strength. Their work reminds us that meaningful change often begins with listening, showing up, and believing in what’s possible.
Explore, Connect, Support
We invite you to browse our 2025 Impact Grant recipients and discover the incredible work happening across New England. If one of these organizations aligns with your personal mission or values, consider lending your support—whether through a donation, a share, or simply spreading the word. Every gesture helps strengthen the communities we serve.
A Wish Come True
Supporting book project: Resilient Hearts: Finding Light When Your Child Faces a Life-Threatening Diagnosis
Ronald McDonald House Charities of New England
Supporting the Adopt-A-Room Program: Providence
Learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of New England!
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island
Supporting Transitional Housing Clinical Treatment Program
YMCA of Pawtucket
Supporting the work of Behavioral Specialists
We Share Hope
Supporting: Feed the Future & Read and Feed programs
Children’s Friend and Service
Supporting their work in Meeting Educational, Health, and Safety Needs in Children’s Friend Classrooms and Client Homes.
Special Olympics Rhode Island
Supporting the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP)
Meeting Street
Supporting Meeting Street Family Resource Center
The Izzy Foundation
Supporting the food program at the Izzy Family Room on the 5th floor at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
The Groden Network
Supporting: Playground Equipment for Youth Group Homes
University of Rhode Island Foundation & Alumni Engagement (URIFAE)
Supporting the MAVE center and their Emergency Financial Assistance for Military-Connected Students at URI.
Learn more how URI supports Military Families and Veteran’s!
New England Center and Home for Veterans
Supporting the Veteran’s Wellness Program
Learn more about the New England Center and Home for Veterans!
Joe Andruzzi Foundation
Rhode Island State Sponsor, supporting all assistance to Rhode Islanders navigating a cancer diagnosis.
SAFE Coalition
Supporting SAFE Adolescent Wellness Center
HEADstrong Foundation
Supporting Nick’s House Boston: Easing the Emotional and Financial Burdens of a Cancer Diagnosis
Learn more about Nick’s House Boston and the HEADstrong Foundation!
ALS United Rhode Island
Supporting Patient Services – Respite Care
Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Supporting Hasbro Children’s Medical-Psychiatric Inpatient Unit.
AccessPoint RI
Supporting their work in Gaining Adult Perspectives with AccessPoint RI
Operation Warm
Supporting new Coats & Shoes for 600 Under-Resourced Providence Children
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Inc.
Supporting: Feeding those who served: VYCC Health Care Share for Veterans.
Glimmer Of Hope Foundation
Supporting: Courageous Moms Collective
Homes For Our Troops, Inc.
Supporting specially adapted custom build in Hudson, MA.
Mary’s Place, Inc.
Supporting: Essential Grief Support Services Project
United Way of Tri-County
Supporting: Feed-A-Family
Ketrick Communities
Supporting: Fisheries for Veterans
Providence Children’s Film Festival
Supporting: “Storytelling with Stop Motion Animation” workshop series at Hasbro Children’s Hospital
The Arc of Bristol County
Supporting: Educational Program for Families impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities
Bradford Teen Center
Supporting their Prevention 360 program
Volunteers of America Northern New England
Supporting their Cabin in the Woods program
Learn more about Volunteers of America Northern New England!
Dare to Dream Ranch
Supporting: Service Dogs for Veterans: Addressing PTSD Through Trained Companions
Bradley Hospital
Supporting their Case Management Services
Looking Upwards, Inc.
Supporting their Parents as Teachers 2025 program
UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc.
Supporting their Creating More Paws-itive Pediatric Medical Experiences through Animal Assisted Therapy program
Meals on Wheels Rhode Island
Supporting: Veteran’s Nutrition & Food Access program
Jonnycake Center for Hope
Supporting: From Hunger to Health: Strengthening South County through Food Access
Connecticut Institute for the Blind
Supporting: Adaptive Equipment Services for Children and Veteran’s at Oak Hill
Walker, Inc.
Supporting: Girls’ Empowerment Zone: Walker Wednesdays
Girls on the Run
Supporting their work: Building Confidence: Expanding the Reach of Girls on the Run
Lyndon Institute
Supporting: Teen Mental Health Resource Kits for Students in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont
Adoption Rhode Island
Supporting: Hope, Healing and Resilience: Fostering Well-Being and Better Futures for Youth Impacted by Trauma
Hope for the Warriors
Supporting: Warrior’s Wish – Transforming the well-being of our nation’s post-9/11 transitioning service members and veteran’s one life at a time
The Nature Connection
Supporting: Nature-Based Memory Cafés: Connection and Comfort for Caregivers and Individuals with Dementia
Providence Children’s Museum
Supporting their Mental Health Initiative
Hattie Ide Chaffee Home
Supporting a pilot respite care program.
