RBC invests $216,800 in Central Alberta communities

CALGARY, Dec. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - As the effects of the global financial crisis have yet to stabilize, many charities are continuing to face serious reductions in their funding bases from all sectors. At the same time, the demand for their services has grown. Charitable organizations have to look for new sources of funding and companies are wrestling with the question of how to allocate and stretch their dollars.

RBC has designed our community investment strategy so we can respond to urgent and ongoing requests through our general donation budgets and continue to have a significant social impact by funding specific projects within our eight strategic focus areas: health and wellness, education, environment, arts and culture, amateur sports, social services and civic causes, employee contributions and diversity.

In 2012, RBC, through its charitable foundation, donated $216,800 to charities across the region. Donations ranging from $1,000 to $90,000 were given to charitable organizations to support sustainable community programs.

"We believe in the power of communities and the individuals who live in them. That's why we invest in organizations in central Alberta that are working to enhance the quality of life in the region," said Ron Sauve, regional vice-president for RBC's central Alberta market. "We support worthy causes because we want our investments to make a real difference in people's lives."

In 2012, RBC contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide through donations and community investments of more than $64 million, and $31 million in sponsorship of community events and national organizations.

Organizations interested in applying for funding from RBC are encouraged to visit our website at http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability

The following are some of the organizations that received funding in 2012:

Didsbury

• Didsbury & District Historical Society

Drumheller

• Drumheller Public Library

Hanna

• Hanna Food Bank

Lacombe

• Lacombe and District FCSSS

Red Deer

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer & District
• Boys & Girls Club of Red Deer
• Children's Services Centre
• Red Deer College Foundation
• Red Deer Family Services Bureau
• Red Deer Symphony Orchestra
• United Way, Central Alberta

Stettler

• Heartland Youth Centre Society

Olds

• Olds College Foundation

About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We employ approximately 80,000 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 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012 - 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC has been named one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and one of the Best Workplaces in Canada.

SOURCE: RBC Calgary

Kari Peperkorn-Marlowe
Advisor, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
O: [phone] C: [phone]
[email protected]