RBC announces five-year, $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of one million kids and youth

RBC Believe in Kids Pledge is largest single social commitment in RBC history; kicks off with $7.4 million in grants to 231 after school and children's mental health programs in Canada

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, RBC, one of Canada's largest corporate donors and a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, announced a five-year $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of one million kids and youth.

The RBC Believe in Kids Pledge is intended to improve the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of children and youth through investments in a wide range of national and community-based organizations as well as through the company's own programming. This historic pledge consolidates RBC's current support for children's causes and includes funding for new programs. It will provide a reliable source of funding for organizations and programs that help kids as they grow from childhood through to their first career experience.

Pledge is designed to help the 'whole' child

"Ensuring our children and youth receive support throughout critical stages in their development is a priority for society and an important area of focus for us at RBC," said Gord Nixon, RBC president and CEO. "We believe a well-rounded child is happy and healthy in mind, body and spirit, so our Pledge supports a wide range of arts, sports, wellness and education programs that help the 'whole' child, instead of adopting a single issue, cause or charity."

"The goal of the RBC Believe in Kids Pledge is to help one million kids and youth be healthier and happier by 2018," said Nixon. "Today's five-year commitment is just the starting line. RBC will develop a best-practice framework for tracking and reporting on the impact of our investments so we learn from experience and consistently direct funds where they have the most positive outcomes for kids and youth."

The Pledge includes $25 million for new, multi-year programs to be unveiled in the next few months.

To kick off the RBC Believe in Kids Pledge, RBC today announced $7.4 million in donations to support 231 after school and children's mental health programs across Canada.

$2.8 million to 106 after school programs

RBC will provide $2.8 million in donations to 106 community-based after school programs across Canada through the RBC After School Project. These programs include several for inner-city children and Aboriginal youth and offer activities such as computer instruction, sports, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance, and homework help. Approximately 57,000 kids will receive support over the 2013-2014 school year. Launched in 1999, the RBC After School Project provides grants of $25,000 to $40,000.

$4.6 million to 125 children's mental health organizations

RBC will provide $4.6 million in charitable grants to 125 organizations across Canada through the RBC Children's Mental Health Project These grants will support a wide range of anti-stigma, early intervention and awareness programs, such as a tele-link mental health service between Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital and health care providers in Nunavut, a suicide prevention program at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, and a national live chat counseling service through Kids Help Phone. Launched in 2008, the RBC Children's Mental Health Project has now committed more than $20 million to community-based and hospital programs.

About RBC's Commitment to Community and Sustainability

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 44 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2013-2014 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. Learn more at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability.

SOURCE: RBC