2014 grants will be directed to skill-building or program-delivery
TORONTO, March 6, 2014 /CNW/ -Today, RBC announced it would provide $750,000 in grants through the RBC Learn to Play Project to community-based organizations in Canada for kids' sport and recreation programs in 2014. These grants are intended to support programs that address a widespread lack of physical activity among Canadian youth as well as declining rates in sport participation. Eligible organizations are invited to apply.
The RBC Learn to Play Project, in collaboration with flagship partner ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation, aims to teach children the basics of being active, such as how to hop, swim and throw—while also giving them the chance to enjoy their new skills so they can feel confident and competent enough to take part in physical activity.
"We know that physical activity and sports build confidence in kids. With this program, we want to make sure not only that all youth have the opportunity and encouragement to participate and learn through sports and play, but that Canadian organizations have the resources they need to get kids active and involved," said Jane Broderick, chief brand and communications officer, RBC. "This program is an important piece of the RBC Believe in Kids Pledge, our commitment to the whole child: mind, body and spirit."
"The decline in outdoor, active play and our increasingly sedentary lifestyles contribute to decreased opportunities for kids to develop basic movement skills and learn to love being active at a young age," said Elio Antunes, president and CEO, ParticipACTION. "The RBC Learn to Play Project enables local communities across Canada to teach kids to move with confidence, and helps provide the foundation for a healthy, active life into adulthood."
Organizations that build and deliver quality sports programs for Canadian youth may be eligible for either of the following two levels of grant:
Program Grants ($1,000 to $10,000): will be awarded to local organizations that teach new skills or sports to kids, and/or expose them to a multiple sports or multiple skills such swimming or skating lessons. Applications are due May 16, 2014.
Community Grants ($10,001 to $25,000): will be awarded to community groups that are developing or implementing action plans to transform the way sport and physical activities are planned and delivered, such as program that makes sports available for new immigrant youth. Expressions of Interest are due April 4, 2014.
Additional information is available at rbc.com/learntoplay, and organizations are invited to apply online.
About the RBC Learn to Play Project
The RBC Learn to Play Project is a wide-ranging initiative to help children develop the confidence and skills they need to enable them to play and become happy, healthy and active for life. It is part of the RBC Believe in Kids pledge, a five-year,
$100 million commitment to improve the well-being of one million children and youth. RBC is a long-time supporter of amateur sport in communities across Canada, from recreational to competitive activities, and from grassroots to elite-level athletes. RBC is proud to be the longest-standing corporate supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team, since 1947, as well as a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada.
RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2013, we contributed more than $104 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $69 million and $35 million in sponsorships. To learn more visit rbc.com/learntoplay.
About ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada. Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION was re-launched in 2007 to help prevent the looming inactivity crisis that faces Canada. As a national not-for-profit organization solely dedicated to inspiring and supporting healthy and active living for Canadians, it works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to inspire and support Canadians to move more. ParticipACTION is generously supported by Sport Canada. For more information, visit www.participACTION.com.
SOURCE: RBC
Sophia Massari, Communications, RBC, 416-974-7503, [email protected]
Katherine Janson, PR & Communications Manager, ParticipACTION, 416-913-1471, [email protected]
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