Suncor has a strong history of supporting communities. This support ranges from product or in-kind contributions, sponsorships and employee giving and volunteer efforts, to investments made by the Suncor Energy Foundation.

Now in its 11th year of operation, the Suncor Energy Foundation is a private, non-profit, charitable foundation established in 1998 to receive Suncor's contributions and support registered Canadian charitable organizations.

Funded entirely by Suncor, the Foundation's funding priorities are educational, environmental and community-based initiatives that are aligned with Suncor's key operating communities. The Foundation seeks unique opportunities to enhance the quality of life in those communities and to add value through effective collaborations.

In 2007 and 2008, Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation invested a total of $24.9 million in charitable and non-profit groups. This included $13.8 million invested in 2008 in more than 700 charitable organizations and non-profit groups in terms of four priority areas:

• $6.9 million for community projects, including programs that support Aboriginal initiatives
• $3.7 million for educational programs, specifically in skilled trades, science and technology
• $2.3 million for environmental initiatives including conservation projects and community education initiatives
• $850,000 on behalf of more than 600 employees who volunteered and fundraised in their communities.

Over the past decade, Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation have invested more than $74 million in charitable organizations across Canada.

Looking Forward

Over the next decade, the Suncor Energy Foundation's board of directors intends to build on relationships and partnerships with community organizations, to strengthen their capacity for leadership and growth. “Our approach to investment has evolved from reacting to requests for funding to planning and partnering,” says Cathy Glover, director, community investment, Suncor Energy Foundation. “Our goal is to find innovative and focused investment opportunities that have the greatest impact in our communities.”