Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation

What Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation does

Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation (LACF) is a national charitable foundation established in 1988 by members of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA). Headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, LACF operates as the only Canadian charitable foundation exclusively dedicated to advancing the landscape architecture profession through research grants, communication grants, scholarships, and an urban design fellowship. Its programmatic portfolio spans an annual research grants cycle (awards of $5,000–$50,000, including 9 awards in the 2026 cycle), the Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship (up to $50,000), and 27 scholarship programs (4 national plus 23 regional) with individual awards ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, including named programs such as the Frederick Gage Todd National Scholarship, Walter H. Kehm National Scholarship, Indigenous Scholarships, and regional awards across all Canadian provinces and territories.

The foundation is volunteer-governed, supported by a 3-person staff (Executive Director Michelle Legault, Awards Officer Katherine Velluso, and Communications Coordinator Rebecca Riordon) and a Board of Directors. Its technology footprint is minimal — a website-based platform (lacf.ca) that processes donations through Zeffy, a free donation tool for charities, alongside social media channels (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram) and email newsletters.

LACF's revenue model is donation-based, with inflows from individual donors, multi-tiered corporate sponsorships (Platinum at $25,000+, Silver at $5,000), legacy bequests and planned giving through the Frances Blue Legacy Circle, securities donations, and honorific/memorial gifts. Since 1989 it has received $3.3 million in cumulative donations, paid out $1.14 million in grants and scholarships, and holds a current fund value of $2.6 million as of 2025. The foundation reaches its audience — students, professionals, and donors — through direct digital channels and promotional partnerships with every provincial landscape architecture association in Canada.

Name

Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation

Legal name

Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation

Website

https://lacf.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation is a national charitable foundation established in 1988 that funds research grants, scholarships, and an urban design fellowship to advance the landscape architecture profession in Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation services
• Scholarship funding programs
• Research grants funding
• Professional development grants
• Nonprofit foundation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kanata

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to support research, communication and scholarship programs. Donors who give $100 or more become LACF members with voting rights at the annual members meeting.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support LACF at various contribution levels including Platinum ($25,000+), Silver ($5,000), and other tiers. Platinum sponsor Maglin Site Furniture has been a long-term supporter.
3. Legacy Bequests and Planned Giving: Bequests made in wills and planned giving arrangements. Members of the Frances Blue Legacy Circle are recognized for legacy commitments.
4. Securities Donations: Donation of securities traded on Canadian or US stock exchanges, offering tax advantages to donors.
5. Honorific and Memorial Gifts: Donations made in honor or memory of individuals, with cards sent to honorees or bereaved families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LACF is a national charitable foundation that funds research, communication initiatives, and scholarships in landscape architecture across Canada. It administers an annual research grants program ($5,000-$50,000), the Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship (up to $50,000), four national scholarships, and 23 regional scholarship programs, while raising funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, legacy bequests, and securities donations.

Product overview

LACF operates as a charitable foundation offering a portfolio of programs including research grants (annual grants of $5,000-$50,000), the Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship (up to $50,000), and an extensive scholarship network comprising 4 national scholarships (including the $15,000 Frederick Gage Todd National Scholarship and Indigenous scholarship programs) and 23 regional scholarships across Canadian provinces. The foundation also manages special project grants, corporate sponsorship packages, and legacy giving programs including the Frances Blue Legacy Circle. LACF primarily functions as a grant-making and scholarship distribution organization rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Grants Program
• Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship Fellowship providing up to $50,000 for a practicing landscape architect to conduct research or pursue a specific area of inquiry over a five-to-six-month period, or funds to direct a research project in urban design.
• Special Project Grants Funding for special projects submitted outside the standard grants program, awarded according to strict criteria and board approval for highly visible initiatives aligned with LACF's mission.
• Frederick Gage Todd National Scholarship National scholarship of $15,000 for students in landscape architecture programs, the foundation's flagship scholarship program. As of 2025, the scholarship value was increased from $10,000 to $15,000.
• Indigenous Scholarships (BC2, Peter Jacobs, Peter Klynstra) Scholarship programs supporting Indigenous students in landscape architecture, including the BC2 Indigenous Scholarship, Peter Jacobs Indigenous Scholarship, and Peter Klynstra Memorial Scholarship.
• Walter H. Kehm National Scholarship National scholarship supporting students in landscape architecture programs across Canada.
• Regional Scholarships 23 regional scholarship programs across Canada including Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
• Frances Blue Legacy Circle Recognition program for individuals who have made a legacy bequest to LACF in their will, offering planned giving opportunities with potential tax advantages.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.14 million paid in grants and scholarships since 1989
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Maglin Site FurnitureflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor with over 35-40 years of experience designing and manufacturing contemporary outdoor amenities. Shares LACF's vision that landscape architecture is uniquely suited to address today's challenges. Strongly believes in supporting LACF as a Platinum Sponsor and encourages other companies to join.
• Wishbone Site FurnishingscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver-level corporate sponsor of LACF.
• Architek GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver-level corporate sponsor of LACF.
• SBC CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver-level corporate sponsor of LACF.
• Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLACF was established in 1988 by members of CSLA. The two organizations share common goals and have a formal collaboration agreement (2015 MOU). CSLA is a key promotional partner.
• Atlantic Provinces Association of Landscape Architects (APALA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Atlantic region scholarship programs.
• Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec (AAPQ)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Quebec region and collaborated to establish the 60th Anniversary AAPQ Scholarship.
• Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Ontario region, collaborated to establish OALA 50th Anniversary scholarships.
• Saskatchewan Association of Landscape Architects (SALA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Saskatchewan region and established the SALA Academic Award Scholarship.
• British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for BC region and established the Robillard BCSLA Landscape Architecture Scholarship.
• Alberta Association of Landscape Architects (AALA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Alberta region.
• Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Manitoba region.
• Northwest Territories Association of Landscape ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for NWT region.
• Nunavut Association of Landscape ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for Nunavut region.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Architectural Foundation: Canadian charitable foundation raising awareness and funds for architecture education and research. Direct structural comparator to LACF as another small profession-specific Canadian grantmaking foundation.
• Landscape Architecture Foundation: The US national foundation dedicated to landscape architecture research, scholarships, and leadership. Closest functional analog to LACF; operates analogous grant, fellowship, and scholarship programs.
• The Counselling Foundation of Canada: Canadian independent grantmaking foundation supporting professional education and research. Comparable scale and structure (small staff, endowment-funded grants and scholarships) to LACF.
• Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Foundation: The charitable arm of Canada's national architecture association, supporting architectural education, research, and awards. Comparable in scope, scale, and structure to LACF for a peer design profession.
• ASLA Fund (American Society of Landscape Architects Foundation): The US-based foundation affiliated with ASLA supporting research and education in landscape architecture. Comparable mission and program structure to LACF's scholarship and research grant portfolio.

Regional players

• Evergreen Foundation: Canadian nonprofit focused on urban greenspace, school grounds, and city-building. Shares LACF's emphasis on landscape-led community impact but operates programs (not grants) in the same Canadian geography.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA / AAPQ): The founding and primary strategic partner of LACF. Larger professional association whose membership base and member-funded programs overlap with LACF's scholarship and grant activities.
• International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA): Global umbrella body for landscape architecture that operates related education, research, and awards initiatives. Thematically aligned with LACF's mission but operating internationally and at broader scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/landscape-architecture-canada-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation