Vibrant Communities

Basic Literacy
Countless studies have shown the importance of basic
functional literacy to economic well-being. In 2012, we
invested more than $2.3 million to support a network of
not-for-profit organizations that provide literacy programs
around the world, including:
n First Book Canada: RBC donated $50,000 to help First
Book Canada provide an ongoing supply of new books
and reading material at a low cost or no cost to children
in need.
n One to One Literacy, British Columbia: RBC donated
$10,000 to fund a program that provides training to
volunteer tutors for young children from high-risk, lowincome
neighbourhoods where reading at home isn’t
possible.
n Project Read Bahamas: RBC donated $2,000 to help
Project Read carry out their mandate to promote adult
literacy in the Bahamas.
n Read Across Jamaica: Support from RBC helped to
provide locally authored books to children in 12 primary
Jamaican schools.
Other support for education
In addition to our commitment to after school programs
and literacy, we support a broad range of educational
organizations around the world, including these ones
in 2012:
Canada
n The Learning Partnership, Canada: The Learning
Partnership (TLP) brings together business, education
and community leaders to provide children with
opportunities to learn and develop. Through an RBC
donation of $400,000, TLP has created a program to
increase the success rates of ethno-culturally diverse
students.
• Bow Valley College, Alberta: Bow Valley College creates
educational opportunities for immigrants, Aboriginal
peoples, international leaders, persons with disabilities,
older workers and at-risk youth. RBC donated $25,000
to enable the College to continue to help Albertans build
skills through education.
9 2012 Vibrant Communities Report
EDUCATION
United States
In the United States, we donated more than $250,000 to
60 community-based organizations dedicated to providing
general education, including these:
n The Family Place, Texas: The Family Place Safe Campus
supports mothers and children who are victims of family
violence. RBC donated US$7,500 to the Safe Campus
after school program, which offers tutoring, enrichment
activities and mentoring for children living at Family Place.
n Emma Norton Service, Minnesota: RBC donated
US$7,000 to support the after school program. The
program focuses on education and enrichment activities
to improve children’s confidence, empowering them to
break the poverty cycle.
Europe
n RBC Academy, United Kingdom: RBC employees deliver
workshops to four London inner-city schools to introduce
banking and employability skills to students aged 16-18
in interactive skill sessions. Students are encouraged
to apply for one of eight academy placements each
year. The academy students are offered internships at
RBC and receive financial and other support throughout
university, with a potential job offer from RBC at the end
of their studies.
n The Prince’s Teaching Institute, United Kingdom: RBC
donated £17,000 to enable the Institute to continue
providing students with passionate teachers and a
challenging curriculum, encouraging collaboration with
other like-minded schools and academic institutions.
n Thomas Buxton Primary School, United Kingdom: Each
week, 24 employees from RBC participate in a reading
partnership with students aged 6-7 from Thomas Buxton
Primary School. On a rotating basis, these volunteers
support the children with their reading for half an hour
each week, helping to develop confidence, language and
literacy skills.
Caribbean
n University of the South Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago:
RBC donated $9,000 to the University’s Portraits
of Excellence program, which recognizes students
excelling in academic, social, developmental and
cultural activities. The program helps them become
ambassadors and role models for other students and
their surrounding communities.