Stronger Communities. Together

Transcription

1 Building Stronger Communities Together the key to gi ving Great-West Life London Life Canada Life

2 Building Stronger Communities Together Together, our efforts do make a difference. Building relationships is at the root of our success as a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing a broad range of financial security products to individuals, families, businesses and organizations, we are a strong supporter of communities across the country through The Key to Giving program. Together, Great-West, London Life and Canada Life help to build a brighter future for communities by contributing financial support focused on education, health and wellness, arts and culture, social services and community programs. Our success comes by working directly with hundreds of national, regional and local community organizations, through our head office locations and our network of field offices across Canada. We recognize that our people are the face of our organization, and so we encourage and support the community-minded volunteer efforts of our staff and financial security advisors. We provide corporate support directly to non-profit organizations participating in community initiatives with our field offices, and to eligible charities with which our staff volunteer. By combining our financial strength and the volunteer spirit of our staff with a firm commitment to the communities where we live and work, we are all building stronger communities together.

3 The Key to Giving The Key to Giving our national program for corporate contributions, donations and sponsorships is designed to meet today s needs, with a long-term focus on building stronger communities for tomorrow. Like our business, our success depends on developing lasting relationships. We do our best to focus on the priorities of Canadians by working with innovative charities and non-profit organizations that are in touch with, anticipate, and respond to community needs. We work hard to facilitate collaborations that encourage innovative solutions and promote long-term sustainability. Initiatives that promote knowledge transfer the sharing of ideas and practical knowledge between organizations are also a priority and help us to extend the value of our philanthropic efforts far beyond the dollars invested. We focus our financial support on the following key areas. Arts and Culture Education Health and Wellness Civic Activities and Projects Social Services

4 Areas of Support Arts and Culture Our primary recipients are major local and national arts and cultural groups advancing music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. Together, we are Imagine Caring Companies, annually contributing one per cent of average pre-tax domestic profits to charitable, non-profit and community-based organizations across Canada. We also actively encourage and support the volunteer efforts of our staff and financial security advisors. We sponsor performances and productions and favour programming that provides greater access to arts and culture, encourages new audiences to develop, and strengthens the education and participation of youth. Education Our primary recipients are capital and major appeals for post-secondary education aligned with our business and the financial services industry. Funding is also available to academic institutions to establish named scholarships and bursaries. Awards are administered directly by the institution and ideally reflect both the academic standing and community involvement of the recipients. We also respond to current and emerging social issues related to education. These include literacy, employment transition and youth programs, and programs assisting employment equity designated groups, members of visible minorities, aboriginal people, and people with disabilities.

5 Health and Wellness Our primary recipients are capital appeals and research projects of major medical facilities, recognized for their excellence and supported by private and public sector funding. We favour research and medical initiatives with a national scope and impact, where knowledge and outcomes can be shared and are actionable. We focus on the major health concerns affecting significant numbers of Canadians. Civic Activities and Projects Our primary recipients are broadly-based business and community initiatives. We favour recreation and sports-related programs with a charitable or social impact, programs for youth and seniors, and economic, multi-cultural and community development programs. We give special consideration to initiatives that encourage leadership, volunteerism and community involvement, and help build the strength and capacity of communities. Social Services We are a strong supporter of United Way/Centraide in communities where we live and work. Community-based appeals enable us to provide support to a wide spectrum of individual, family and community needs. Therefore, we generally do not make additional or separate contributions directly to individual social service agencies. Over $2 million in corporate and workplace donations are contributed annually to United Way/ Centraide campaigns.

6 Our People and the Community Our people are the face of our organization. Through The Key to Giving program, we are proud to encourage and support the communityminded volunteer efforts of our representatives across Canada. We do this in two ways: Community Partners supports our field offices across Canada in their community work with charities and non-profit organizations. Through Community Partners, we provide financial contributions directly to communitybased organizations working with our offices to address local needs. All organizations receiving support must meet The Key to Giving guidelines. By combining our financial strength, the volunteer spirit and leadership of our people, and a firm commitment to the communities where we live and work, we are building stronger communities together. Community Builders supports head office staff who volunteer their time, expertise and enthusiasm in their communities. Through Community Builders, individuals and corporate teams can apply for financial support for their chosen charity.

7 Who We Support Organizations requesting support should: be a non-profit organization or a registered Canadian charity with a Canada Revenue Agency tax number or equivalent have a strong foundation of volunteer support serve a broad community interest in their area of focus, and represent one or a combination of The Key to Giving areas of support. Please Note Major pledges will generally be made for a maximum of five years. All commitments will be reviewed annually, based on financial reports and other information to be supplied by the organization.

8 How We Review Your Request We carefully review each request we receive. Here is some of the information we consider: the objectives are clear and are aligned with the goals of The Key to Giving program there is a demonstrated need within the community for your initiative your initiative provides an innovative solution to a community concern and complements, but does not duplicate, other resources in the community there is potential to collaborate with other organizations to meet common goals the project is sustainable and has long-term potential the expected impact and outcomes of the project and how it will be evaluated are clearly documented the organization is financially sound, well managed, accountable to a volunteer board of directors and is recognized by the voluntary, private and public sectors you ve provided the organization s most recently audited financial statements and annual report, and budget details for the initiative, including other sources of revenue any other corporate contributions we have made to your organization there are opportunities for us to be publicly recognized for our support and to enhance our corporate image and reputation our staff and/or financial security advisors may be involved as volunteers.

9 General Exclusions in-kind contributions, such as meeting space and materials, and promotional items individuals (for example, sponsoring an artist or an athlete) religious or sectarian organizations, except for community services offered on a non-denominational basis fraternal organizations private and public pre-school, elementary, daycares and secondary schools, including student organizations trips and tours, including subsidized travel, accommodation and entertainment expenses conferences, seminars, workshops and conventions, except medical, research, and educational career symposiums professional or technical associations direct and indirect contributions to the same organizations, e.g. organizations funded by United Way/Centraide private clubs organizations or programs operating outside Canada registration in golf tournaments amateur or elite sports teams or events campaigns to reduce deficits service clubs, commercial marketers and third-party fundraising for charities private foundations loans and investments, whether direct or through foundations for this purpose political contributions

10 How to Apply Please submit a detailed proposal to: The Key to Giving Stronger Communities Together Community Relations 60 Osborne Street North, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V3 We request that all submissions be mailed. Submissions often include materials that cannot be readily sent by . As well, Internet is by its nature not secure, and we cannot guarantee the receipt or confidentiality of material sent by . For general information on The Key to Giving contact the Community Relations office at (204) or community.relations@gwl.ca. For more information about our current Key to Giving initiatives, and to view copies of our Public Accountability Statements, visit our websites at: Requests are considered throughout the year on an ongoing basis. You can expect to receive a response within 90 days. To help us review your request and respond to you without delay, please ensure that your proposal is comprehensive and includes all relevant dates, deadlines and contact information.

11 Together, our efforts do make a difference.

12 Great-West, together with its subsidiaries, London Life and Canada Life, serves the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Great-West Life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc, a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. Great-West Life and key design and Stronger Communities Together are trademarks of The Great-West Life Assurance Company. London Life and design are trademarks of London Life Insurance Company. Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. Other trademarks which appear in this document are trademarks of The Great-West Life Assurance Company or other owners, and are used under license or with permission. Community Builders is a trademark of the United Way Canada - Centraide Canada. E /07 This brochure was printed with vegetable based inks on 10% total recovered fiber/all post-consumer fiber stock.