The Lori Sheppard Memorial Fund was created in December of 2006 and is held in trust by the Vancouver Foundation.  Lori was an impassioned advocate who embraced life.  She was active in campaigns for the United Way, CNIB, and the 20/20 Foundation.  She was the founder and Executive Director of PAWS International and worked tirelessly to establish the biannual guide dog conference which was hosted by the charity she founded until 2017.  Lori was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes as a child and she became totally blind at the age of twenty-seven.  She passed away November 12th, 2005 from complications of diabetes and heart disease.

Her tenacity and capacity to bring the community together to assist other persons and organizations in need was her hallmark. The Lori Sheppard Memorial Fund was created by her friends, family and community members to both commemorate her spirit and provide support to individuals who possess great passion yet face significant barriers.

Applications for the Lori Sheppard Memorial Fund are currently CLOSED. Applications for this Fund take place in February. Check back again soon.