RBC Financial Group brings United Way of Greater Toronto $6.5 million closer
to its 2004 Fundraising GoalTORONTO, January 12,
2005 - RBC Financial Group (RBC) today announced its 2004 gift of $6.5
million to United Way of Greater Toronto. "Once again, RBC Financial
Group and its employees have stepped to the forefront and demonstrated their incredible
commitment to the community and United Way with this generous donation, "
said Frances Lankin, President, United Way of Greater Toronto. "This reinforces
that together we can make a difference." This figure represents the
total of gifts from a number of sources. It includes payroll deductions, lump
sum donations and fundraising activities of RBC employees and pensioners from
across the Greater Toronto Area. It also includes RBC's corporate gift of $1.4
million. "We're proud of our 37-year partnership with United Way of
Greater Toronto. Together, we can do more to build strong communities, and I would
like to thank our employees for their generosity," said Gordon Nixon, president
and CEO of RBC Financial Group. Thousands of RBC employees and pensioners
in the Greater Toronto Area participated in this year's campaign showing creativity
and leadership in their fundraising - ranging from live and silent auctions to
pancake breakfasts to mini-putt tournaments. "This gift will have
a significant impact on the 1-in-3 people in the Greater Toronto Area who use
a United Way-supported service," said Kirk Dudtschak, vice-president, Group
Risk Management and a Leadership Chair for the RBC Financial Group employee campaign. The
RBC donation comes one day before United Way of Greater Toronto announces its
2004 Campaign Achievement. This year's target of $88.5 million is the largest
ever announced by United Way of Greater Toronto. Donations will support United
Way's network of 200 health and social service agencies that provide programming
for young children, homeless and disabled people, seniors, abused women and their
children and newcomers to Canada. RBC has had the largest private sector
employee-giving campaign for the past seven consecutive years. In addition, each
year it sponsors, or "loans," employees full-time to United Way to provide
leadership, expertise and visibility in local campaigns. In 2004, five RBC employees
were loaned to United Way of Greater Toronto.
| 
