About us

Through granting and collaboration, The Law Foundation of Ontario invests in knowledge and services that help people understand the law and use it to improve their lives.
A smiling Asian woman with long, straight black hair wearing glasses and standing near a busy city street
Toronto lawyer Min provided pro bono legal advice to women in rural and remote communities who have experienced domestic violence through Luke’s Place’s Virtual Legal Clinic

The Law Foundation of Ontario was established in 1974 under the Law Society Act. The Foundation receives and uses the interest on lawyers’ and paralegals’ mixed trust accounts to support legal education, legal research, legal aid, and law libraries in Ontario. We do this through grantmaking to nonprofits and providing funds to Legal Aid Ontario.

We are the sole foundation in Ontario with the mandate of improving access to justice. A priority for the Foundation is to pay particular attention to groups who have experienced injustice or inequity – past or current – and those who have experienced exclusion or barriers in society.

The Foundation also administers the Class Proceedings Fund, which provides cost assistance in class actions. The Class Proceedings Committee is responsible for deciding who will receive funding.

Our vision

Putting people at the heart of justice.

Our mission
Our approach

Access to justice exists when the public can understand, use, and afford information and services to prevent and resolve their legal disputes and to achieve just outcomes without delay.

Our people

Meet our dedicated team of Board of Trustees, Class Proceedings Committee, and staff members.

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Strategic plan

Following a process that included input from stakeholders, The Law Foundation of Ontario’s 2016-2020 strategic plan identifies four strategic directions.

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Annual reports

The Law Foundation of Ontario annual report provides an overview of the year’s activities and it is accompanied by audited financial statements.

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What's new

The Guthrie Medal
News

Nominate an outstanding access to justice champion

February 3, 2023

The Foundation is seeking nominations for the Guthrie Award, our signature award to recognize access to justice champions.

Colourful illustration of a person with brown skin and long dark hair with their hands on their hips. The background is bright orange and has text that says "New! AfterMeToo.com"
News

New web resource for people facing workplace sexual harassment

March 13, 2023

The Canadian Women’s Foundation and Aftermetoo partnered to develop a comprehensive online public legal education resource for people facing workplace sexual harassment.

A young Black woman wearing a grey suit jacket speaking
News

Responsive Call for Applications

February 22, 2023

Call for applications information and application form to apply to the Responsive program
Due date: April 11, 2023
Grant amounts: $10,000 to $250,000