RBC donates more than $165,000 in Peace Country in 2013

CALGARY, Dec. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC delivered on its commitment to communities in Peace Country by donating more than $165,000 in the Peace Country and surrounding area. Funds donated provide assistance to organizations in areas such as education, financial literacy, the environment, the arts and sport.

"RBC is focused on improving the lives of Albertans here at home, where it matters," says Fred Gardner, regional vice president, Peace Country. "Through these donations, we are working to make a real difference to the people, places and communities we serve.

We focused on two key social issues in 2013 - improving the lives of children and youth, and water conservation efforts," Gardner says.

In October, RBC announced a five-year, $100 million dollar commitment to improve the well-being of at least one million kids and youth in Canada. The Believe in Kids pledge is about addressing the needs of the whole child - mind, body and spirit alike - and includes support for a wide range of arts, education, sports, wellness and employment programs.

RBC continued its commitment to the RBC Blue Water Project, a 10-year global pledge of $50 million to help conserve, and provide access to, clean water.

"Water conservation continues to be one of the most significant environmental and economic issues in the world today," Gardner adds.

Organizations in Peace Country that received funding in 2013 include:

• Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT), Fort St. John
• Wellspring Family Resource & Crisis Centre, Whitecourt
• Child Development Centre of Fort St. John, Fort St. John
• Sunrise House, Grande Prairie

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2013, we contributed more than $100-million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments. Organizations interested in applying for funding in 2014 can visit http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/ for more information.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) is Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and is among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 44 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

SOURCE: RBC Calgary

Larissa Mark
Advisor, Corporate Communications
403-292-3970