Rio Tinto Alcan Canada Fund Programme

Rio Tinto Alcan believes that there are significant economic and social benefits to be gained by investing in the stewardship of Canada's environment, and that doing so is essential for a competitive economy in the 21st century. We recognize that a successful business strategy includes investing in the development of the communities where we live and work, helping them become vibrant, livable, prosperous, safe and sustainable. 

Through this programme, Rio Tinto Alcan is committed to providing support for community-building initiatives which integrate environmental, economic and social considerations, and which meet the needs of the present while safeguarding our natural legacy for future generations.  We are looking for innovation, collaboration, new learning, and inclusion.  We want to fund ideas that have the potential for measurable progress toward local sustainability.  We want to help make a difference for today and for the future.

Our priorities are projects whose primary purpose is to:
• Advance sustainable development through education, awareness, training programs, research and practice as a catalyst for change.
• Encourage environmental stewardship, and reduce waste and pollution through recycling and other conservation strategies.
• Promote the health and safety of the community through the development of innovative programs or services that benefit its population.
• Contribute to the quality of life of our host communities in the areas of arts and culture, education, health, sports (except professional sports organizations), environment, and any other area that benefits our host communities in general and in a sustainable manner.

An allocation may be recommended from time to time among the following categories of projects: community, education, environment, health, culture or other projects.

Criteria
All proposals for donations or sponsorships will be evaluated according to the degree to which they meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Project addresses one or more of the priority areas noted above.
• It demonstrates important, clear and measurable benefits to the community.
• It promotes a sustainable approach or has clear environmental benefits.
• It involves multiple partners in planning or doing the work, including financial contributions, in-kind project support and/or technical expertise.
• It includes broad involvement reflecting the diversity of the community.
• Applicant demonstrates that it has the mandate, reputation and track record, the quality of management and the overall resources required to realize the project.
• The applicant demonstrates financial accountability and strong financial management skills.

What we don't fund (donations and sponsorships)
• Projects outside of Canada.
• Individuals, other than applicants for Alcan scholarships.
• Religious organizations.
• Activities or attempts to influence action on specific legislation.
• Website development or the production of videos or films except where related to a funded project.
• Organizations or programs that make distinctions with respect to race, religious belief, gender or sexual orientation.
• Educational institutions that are not part of the Canadian Association of Independent Schools or the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
• Political or governmental organizations.
• Student clubs.
• Professional sports organizations.
• Organizations who have received a Rio Tinto Alcan Canada Fund grant within the last five years.

Additional exclusions for donations
• In the case of a request for donation, we will only consider funding for organizations that are registered with the government as a charitable organization or as a not-for-profit institution.
• Professional associations or business conferences will not be funded.

Size and duration of grants
• Although multi-year agreements will be considered, in principle, we will seek to fund projects of shorter terms durations.
• At the end of a multi-year agreement, a hiatus of 5 years will be requested before the same organization is allowed to request additional funding from the Fund.
• A typical single year grant will range from $10,000 - $75,000.

HOW TO APPLY

Because available funding is limited, an initial letter of inquiry is required for all projects.
• For requests $25,000 and under, the letter of inquiry in most cases will be sufficient for us to make a decision. If we require more information, we will contact you.

• For requests of over $25,000, if we would like to proceed further you will be asked for a full proposal and will be provided with additional questions for inclusion.  Review may include a meeting, site visit and/or community references.  Final selected proposals will be forwarded to the Rio Tinto Alcan Fund Grants Committee for review and may be presented to the Board of Directors for final decision.

Letter of inquiry
In order to expedite a letter of inquiry it is important that you include a cover sheet with the following information:
• Name of the organization
• Name or topic of the proposed project or work to be done
• Name of CEO or person holding similar position
• Organization's address
• Organization's phone number, fax number, and e-mail address if any
• Name and title of the principal contact person, if different from the above
• Address (if different) phone number and fax number of principal contact
• Email address of principal contact
• Web address, if any.

Format (Not to exceed four to six pages)
• A brief statement of the purpose and nature of the proposed work.
• The significance of the issue addressed by the project and how it relates to one of more of the priorities of the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada Fund.
• How the work will address the issue and how you will measure success.
• Who the project serves, and how those involved reflect the diversity of the community.
• How the issue relates to your organization and why your organization is qualified to undertake the project.
• Geographic area where the work will take place.
• Time period for which funding is requested.
• Names of partners and type and level of involvement.
• Amount of funding requested from Rio Tinto Alcan Fund and total cost (estimates are acceptable).
• Whether funding has been requested from other sources
• History of past and current funding received from Rio Tinto Alcan, Alcan or any Rio Tinto organization in Canada over the past five years.
• Your plans for continuing the work after the grant ends (if applicable).
• Please attach you organization's latest financial statement.

Please note that incomplete letters of inquiry will not be reviewed. As well, documentation must be sent in English or French only.

Review Process
We will send you an acknowledgement that your letter of inquiry was received, and it will then be directed to staff for review.  If, as a result of that review, the Fund concludes that there is no prospect of Rio Tinto Alcan Fund funding, we will notify you.
• Requests $25,000 and under:  This review process can take eight to twelve weeks.
• Requests over $25,000: This process can take twelve to sixteen weeks.

Deadlines
• Deadlines are driven by the Grants Committee meetings which are scheduled regularly each year. The next two meetings will take place in October 2008 and January 2009.

• Requests must be received one (1) month prior to each meeting to be considered. Requests received less than one month prior to a Grants Committee Meeting will be considered for the following review session.

You may submit your letter of inquiry by email at: fondsRTAcanadafund@riotinto.com. Please mention: Inquiry - Rio Tinto Alcan Fund in the title.