$60 million gift to university from Joannah & Brian Lawson launches climate institute
The University of Toronto has received a record-breaking $60 million gift from the Joannah & Brian Lawson Family Foundation to create the new Lawson Climate Institute.
The donation is the largest ever made to a Canadian university specifically for climate change solutions.
The Lawson Climate Institute will focus on developing practical solutions to help Canada and the world reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
It will support research and education in sustainability, fund new academic positions, and provide scholarships to students working on climate-related projects.
Among its major initiatives, the institute will establish three new endowed academic chairs in policy innovation, sustainable energy, and sustainable food systems.
It will also provide 100 annual scholarships for students who are committed to climate research and leadership. The University of Toronto campuses will be transformed into “living labs” where new climate technologies and practices can be tested and demonstrated in real time.
Brian and Joannah Lawson issued a joint statement, stating that the climate crisis demands urgent and bold action. They hope their gift will not only support meaningful work at the University of Toronto but also inspire other donors to step up in support of climate action.
Brian Lawson is a respected Canadian investment executive, known for his leadership at Burgundy Asset Management and previously at Morgan Stanley Canada.
He holds degrees from Queen’s University and Harvard Business School.
Joannah Lawson is a longtime supporter of environmental, youth, and arts initiatives.
Together, the Lawsons have earned a reputation for thoughtful and impactful philanthropy.
University of Toronto President Meric Gertler described the donation as “historic and visionary.” At the same time, Vice-President of Advancement David Palmer stated that the institute would become a powerful force for change and a model for global collaboration on climate action.
As of August 2025, preparations are underway for the institute’s first projects. A new sustainability hub is being developed on the St. George campus, and a global search has begun for academic leaders to head the endowed chairs.
The first class of Lawson Climate Scholars—comprising 100 undergraduate and graduate students—will be announced in September.
The institute is also beginning partnerships with local cleantech startups to pilot innovative technologies on campus.
This landmark gift puts the University of Toronto at the forefront of climate research and solutions, making it a global leader in the urgent fight against climate change.
Other recent significant gifts from the couple include a $10 million donation to establish the Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and a $10 million donation to Trinity College at the University of Toronto, launching the Integrated Sustainability Initiative.