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
