About the foundation

After the sudden loss of Laura, the 3rd of Bob Gainey’s 4 children, in December 2006, the family decided to honour both Laura and her late mother, Cathy who passed away in 1995, with a foundation dedicated to funding environmental and arts programs for youth. The foundation’s goal is to raise $2 million by 2010 in support of this objective, building a lasting and fitting legacy for two special people.

Cathy and Laura shared a love of children and a gift for connecting with them. It is, however, Laura's interests in particular that shape the specific areas that the Gainey Foundation supports.

Laura took a great deal of joy both from exploring her own artistic side and even more from teaching children's art classes. She found endless inspiration on her long walks through the woods near our home north of Peterborough, Ontario, kayaking along the coast of British Columbia or hiking the jungles of Costa Rica. She believed deeply in environmental conservation and sustainability.

The Gainey Foundation has had a busy first year, highlighted by the success of two fundraising concerts, one in Montreal and the other in Peterborough. Other events are being planned for 2009. The Foundation is proud to be allocating its first grants in the autumn of 2008 and hopes to finalize membership of its Board of Directors before 2009.