Scaling Smarter: How LDS Is Using AI to Transform Learning for Kids

SVP Vancouver’s new Series B granting stream was designed for moments like this—when a nonprofit has a proven model and a bold idea that’s ready to grow.

LDS – Learn. Develop. Succeed. has long been a standout in B.C.’s education landscape, and we’re so proud to call them a partner. Their core program, RISE One-to-One, delivers individualized one-to-one learning support for neurodivergent children—kids who often fall through the cracks of public systems. The results are hard to ignore: in just one year, students in RISE gain on average up to 1.5 grade levels in reading, writing and mathematics. But LDS’ impact goes far beyond academics. Families report gains in confidence, self-concept, emotional regulation, and renewed engagement in school—life-changing shifts for students who may have struggled for years to find the right support.

And the stakes couldn’t be higher. Without timely, targeted support, students with learning differences face dramatically increased risks of anxiety, depression, chronic absenteeism, and school dropout. The right intervention—at the right time—can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life.

“LDS has shifted the trajectory of my son’s life—his educational goals and dreams are endless, his mental health has improved and with that his physical health. There is next to no stress around school, learning, being behind, etc. He is a confident, eager learner and has the support of an incredible team at LDS.”

– Parent of LDS Student

While LDS currently directly serves over 1,000 students a year—demand continues to grow. Like many of SVP’s Investee organizations, LDS reached a point where meeting this rising need required something more: new tools, new thinking, and new investment.

That’s where SVP came in.

In 2024, we awarded LDS a two-year Series B grant to help launch RISE Next Generation AI—an ambitious initiative to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into their operations and service delivery. The vision? A future where LDS’s supports are smarter, more scalable, and even more tailored to each student’s needs. Their ultimate goal is to grow from 1,000 students served annually… to 10,000.

What LDS Has Built So Far

In less than a year, LDS has already made major strides:

• Deploying AI-enabled programming, they’ve leveraged expert new leadership and support team hires to build a centralized application that anchors current and future LDS operations—driving innovation, scalability, and positioning LDS for seamless integration with emerging AI tools. This is the bedrock of LDS’ long-term growth and technological independence, reshaping workflows to reduce admin and cognitive load so our team can focus on high-impact learner support.
  
• Three AI-partner pilot partnerships are now in development, each grounded in real student needs and built with strong clinical underpinnings.
  
• Planning and scoping for an integrated app that allows lesson plan and content customizations based on interests, age, learning needs and social-emotional or other personal needs (trauma-informed, culturally-specific, etc).
  
• Through an ongoing landscape study and research, over 25 other distinct use cases for AI are being assessed, and will be developed as integrated apps and tools with the learner information system in priority sequence—streamlining scheduling, tracking student progress, and reducing admin so staff can focus on teaching and connection.
  
• Professional development is underway: LDS attended  an “AI in Education” bootcamp for their senior staff and has started a series of training sessions for their support and instructional teams. They are also collaborating with global experts like Dr. Rose Luckin and Dr. Sheldon Horowitz.
  
• Strong Canadian data infrastructure and ethical guardrails are already in place to ensure safe, student-first AI adoption—with privacy and effectiveness at the core.
  

Why RISE Next Generation AI Matters

The RISE Next Generation AI initiative is a bold bet—but it’s exactly the kind of bet SVP exists to make. LDS is pairing a proven track record with visionary thinking—and with the right capital and capacity support, they’re building a model equipped to deliver personalized, relationship-based learning to thousands more neurodivergent learners in B.C. each year, without compromising on quality of care.

At SVP Vancouver, we believe in finding high-potential ideas, funding critical gaps, and helping organizations strengthen their ability to scale. LDS embodies all of that. They’ve already changed what’s possible for hundreds of kids. Now they’re building the systems to do it for thousands.

Our Series B grants are part of SVP’s Game-Changing Giving campaign to triple our impact by 2027. We’ve raised our first $1 million to launch this stream—and supporting projects like RISE Next Generation AI is just the beginning. To scale this grantmaking approach and bring it to more nonprofits, we’re aiming to raise another $1.5 million by 2027.

We’ve seen what’s possible when you back organizations that are ready to grow. LDS is showing us what bold, strategic giving makes possible.

Make the next big bet. Add your gift to SVP’s Game-Changing Giving fund today and help us unlock the next $1.5 million needed to bring bold ideas—like LDS’s AI-powered RISE—to thousands more kids. Get in touch with Janelle!