Community

The RBC Community Blueprint includes building prosperity by contributing to the communities in which we live and work. Our tradition of philanthropy dates back to our roots, with donations on record as far back as 1891. We are now one of Canada's largest corporate donors, and we support a broad range of community initiatives, through donations, sponsorships and employee contributions.

Our priorities include ensuring that we:

• Provide donations with a lasting social impact
  
• Sponsor key community initiatives
  
• Encourage employees to contribute.
  

2008 Performance highlights

• RBC provides $2.6 million for after-school programs across Canada. More.
  
  
• RBC donation helps Red Cross provide personal disaster assistance. More.
  
  
• RBC donates $100,000 to Canadian Red Cross Myanmar cyclone fund. More.
  
  

• RBC donates $100,000 to assist China earthquake victims. More.
  

2007 Performance highlights

• Contributed more than $82.8 million to community causes worldwide, through donations of more than $47.7 million, and an additional $35.1 million in sponsorship of community events and national organizations.
  
  
• Qualified as an Imagine Canada "Caring Company," having donated at least 1 per cent of pre-tax profits (measured on a five-year rolling average) to charity.
  
  
• Employees and pensioners worldwide contributed countless hours in volunteer activities and funds to not-for-profit groups through payroll deductions, direct giving and special events.
  
  
• As part of the RBC Environmental Blueprint, we announced the RBC Blue Water Project, a $50 million philanthropic commitment. over 10 years, that started in 2008.
  
  
• Made $250,000 donation to after-school programs
  
  
• Introduced new scholarship for undergraduates
  
  
• Launched scholarship program for new Canadians

Issues

• The global trend is for corporations to move towards "strategic philanthropy," narrowing their areas of funding to align with their business goals. This can be difficult to achieve when a company also wishes to support the causes its clients care about.
  
  
• There is an increasing expectation from socially responsible investors that companies should do more rigorous analysis of the actual impact of their donations and report fully on the social impact of these donations. This may cause an additional burden of performance management and reporting upon our smaller charitable partners.
  
  
• We want to encourage and recognize employee volunteerism and giving, while ensuring they do not feel pressured into either.
  

More on our Approach to Community Relations

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