MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., (June 2, 2016) — Water is fundamental to the sustainability of all life on the planet. Our dependence on our local water sources continues to increase in almost every aspect of our lives and protecting this most precious resource is a growing priority around the world.
RBC today announced the recipients of the 2016 RBC Blue Water Project Leadership and Community Action Grants. RBC will donate more than C$3.2 million for water protection programs delivered by 152 organizations across six countries, including Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Luxembourg, and Malaysia. The grants will fund innovative programs that improve urban water quality, enhance storm water management and protect and restore urban waterways.
“Water is our most precious natural resource and it is our responsibility to protect it for future generations,” said Tom Sagissor, president, RBC Wealth Management-U.S. “RBC’s support of these organizations is a part of our legacy and commitment to preserving fresh water resources.”
In the United States, more than $439,000 was donated to 42 organizations.
Minneapolis-based Spark-Y received a $100,000 leadership grant to help provide sustainable education for youth through local Twin Cities high schools and partner organizations. The organization uses science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based learning initiatives to provide interactive, thought-provoking experiences for students of all backgrounds, geared towards changing how they think about science, sustainability, economics, themselves and the world around them. Through taking action using many sustainable urban agriculture and DIY science systems, students are able to have demonstrable environmental and economic results such as selling produce and even creating their own community businesses. Many Spark-Y projects utilize aquaponics, a method that grows produce using 90% less water than traditional growing, which has big implications for fresh water conservation. These programs leave room for students to voice their opinions, take initiative, and to envision solutions to today’s challenges. Spark-Y programming addresses environmental destruction and depletion of natural resources, food insecurity, poor public health, education gaps and economic inequality.
“We are grateful to have the support of RBC in our ambitious goal of empowering youth to face their global future and to protect the earth and its people,” said Zachary D. Robinson, executive director of the Spark-Y. “Spark-Y uniquely tackles the water use problem by partnering with schools, organizations, and businesses to build and promote sustainable projects which have positive environmental and economic impact.”
Today’s announcement is part of RBC’s annual Blue Water Day, a time when RBC employees internationally join together to protect their local water sources through “Blue Water Makeovers”, which can include shoreline or riverside clean ups, planting, and water awareness-raising initiatives. Last year, more than 25,000 RBC employees in 26 countries were joined by more than 5,000 family, friends and clients to help their communities prosper in 850 Blue Water Day Makeovers around the world.
For a full list of the 2016 Blue Water Leadership and Community Action Grant recipients, click here.
The RBC Blue Water Project is a historic, wide-ranging, 10-year global commitment to help protect the world’s most precious natural resource: fresh water. Since 2007, RBC has pledged more than C$47 million to 760 charitable organizations worldwide that protect watersheds and promote access to clean drinking water, with an additional $8.8 million pledged to universities for water programs. For further information, visit www.rbc.com/bluewater.
In the United States, RBC Wealth Management operates as a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC. Founded in 1909, RBC Capital Markets, LLC. is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and other major securities exchanges. RBC Wealth Management has $271 billion in total client assets with 1,900 financial advisors operating in 200 locations in 41 states.
Jonell Lundquist, RBC Wealth Management, (612) 371-2239
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