Call For Applications For RBC After School Project

Application deadline, March 15, 2013

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC today announced its call for grant applications for the 2013-14 school year. The RBC After School Project is offering up to $2.8 million in grants to fund first-time and renewed grant recipients. Applications are now available online.

"Strong after school programs can bridge the gap between school and home by allowing students to get involved in a variety of activities where they have the chance to shine," said Shari Austin, vice-president, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Our continuing investment in education not only helps children, but also strengthens families, enriches our communities and builds the intellectual capital we need to ensure the future of our country."

The grants are awarded by regional community panels made up of experts in the fields of youth and education. Each organization must offer structured, supervised activities in an environment that provides what RBC has termed the "3 S's": safety, social skills and self-esteem. RBC After School Project grants of up to $40,000 are provided by the RBC Foundation to programs in at-risk or underserved communities. The deadline for funding applications is Friday, March 15, 2013, and grant recipients will be advised by Monday, June 3, 2013.

To qualify for a grant, after school programs should offer structured, supervised activities five days a week and include a variety of programs such as computer instruction, sports, literacy, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance, and help with homework.

Since 1999, RBC has funded after school programs with over $27 million through 951 grants to 248 different organizations which have helped more than 29,000 children across Canada. RBC After School Project applications can be downloaded from rbc.com/afterschool.

About the RBC After School Project The RBC After School Project is a multi-year philanthropic commitment to support community-based organizations that provide programs for children and youth aged six to 17 with structured, supervised activities that enhance safety, social skills and self-esteem.

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 and one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than  $95 million to causes worldwide (more than  $64 million in donations, and $31 million in sponsorships).

SOURCE RBC

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