Martha's Message

Care about London. Care even more about making it better.

For 60 years London Community Foundation has been committed to building a smarter, more caring community by granting to the areas that need it most. Mobilizing community, making high impact, strategic grants to innovative projects, there is no doubt we are driving community-wide change in London, Ontario.

Our city is certainly not without its challenges. We continue to face increasing poverty, unemployment as well as a dire need for affordable housing. Yes, we have a lot of work to do, and it depends upon citizen engagement.

In 2014 we witnessed outstanding citizen driven developments such as the London Plan and the London X conference. It is quite evident citizens are truly the ones who make their communities. While the idea that we have a reciprocal relationship with our community certainly isn’t a new one, this is a concept we have begun to embrace wholeheartedly in our new strategic plan. Bringing together people of all walks of life to create change, we are taking community engagement to the next level.

With Back to the River and a number of other game-changing initiatives on the horizon, we are inspiring the people of London to give back to the community that gives to them. A city in transition, there has never been a more vital time to take action. Tackling local issues is not just about improving the physical state of the community and the well-being of individuals. It is also about collective impact. Sense of belonging, a sense of place and pride; this is what community is all about.

I challenge you to find your passion, discover what drives you, connect with a cause and take action. Get in touch with the Foundation and find out how you can get involved.

This is your London; your opportunity to make a change. Your community makes you and you make your community. It’s up to you to figure out how.