RBC today announced a donation of $250,000 to after-school programs across the country on behalf of its clients. The donation was made as part of First for You Day, a national celebration of RBC clients, employees and communities that will take place on June 22.

As part of First for You Day, RBC Royal Bank branches across Canada will host a variety of activities to celebrate clients and thank them for their business. All Canadians are invited to join the festivities.

“We very much appreciate our clients, employees and communities and wanted to thank them for their loyalty and the role they play in making us Canada’s leading financial services provider,” said Jim Westlake, group head, Canadian Banking, RBC, in a news release. “We wanted to do something special as a gesture of appreciation, as well as make a positive impact in all of our communities.”

Today’s donation is in addition to the more than $2 million contributed to after-school programs in 2007 and $12.6 million contributed since 1999. “We believe our continuing investment in education not only helps children, but also strengthens our families, enriches our communities and builds the intellectual capital we need to ensure the health and prosperity of our country,” said Westlake.

RBC’s long-term support of education is an investment in Canada’s communities and future. Over one-quarter of the RBC Foundation’s annual budget is devoted to education — more than $10 million in 2006. Since 1999, the community-based RBC After-School Grants Program has provided funding for learning and skill development opportunities for youth in the hours after classes end for the day.