At RBC GAM, we are committed to providing investors with transparency around the specific investments we make on their behalf. Below are just a few examples of current investments in our strategies. Please contact us to see additional thematic or geographically-based stories of impact.
Education
Access to quality education is a key driver of upward socioeconomic mobility. RBC GAM’s impact investing opportunities support equal access to educational opportunities by investing in preschools, primary schools, secondary schools and post-secondary education as well as job-skills training programs. These programs provide opportunities to students of all ages as they prepare for employment and career development.
-
Filter by region:
South Midwest
Daycare Center
Promoting access to quality education | Riverdale, GA
- Black female-owned childcare centre seeking to teach children of low-income families the foundational skills needed before entering elementary school
- Works to enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being in an enriched, fun, and high-quality environment
- Progressive and holistic approach exposes children to different experiences so the child can explore and develop their self-awareness
-
Located in a
94%
BIPOC community
-
Located in a
96%
Black, moderate-income neighborhood
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Supporting Hospitals
Sustainable development goals
- Largest non-profit rehab system in the country
- Created in 1891 by a small group of women who raised money by asking for 10 cent donations in order to help individuals who couldn’t afford health care
- Dedicated to furthering the quality of life for people with disabilities and has donated more than $25 million to organizations supporting that mission*
- Offers services for brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer rehabilitation, stroke, orthopedic, and amputee programs
*Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) populations Sustainable Development Goals https://www.maryfreebed.com/about-us/mary-free-bed-guild/
Preschool
Supporting Black-owned business | Phenix City, AL
- Black female-owned daycare that caters to early childhood education
- Learning academy embraces cultural diversity and life-long learning by applying a student-centred thematic curriculum
- Offers programs for infants up to preschoolers (3-5 years old)
- Originated by Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), a national non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to improve lives and strengthen communities via financial solutions
Health & wellness
Lack of access to comprehensive, quality healthcare services impacts the ability of men, women and children to lead healthy and productive lives. RBC GAM’s impact investing strategies invest in a range of healthcare facilities in underserved communities – including nursing homes, community clinics, skilled nursing care and family dentistry – resulting in healthier, more stable and more productive communities.
-
Filter by region:
Midwest South Northeast West
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Supporting Hospitals
Sustainable development goals
- Largest non-profit rehab system in the country
- Created in 1891 by a small group of women who raised money by asking for 10 cent donations in order to help individuals who couldn’t afford health care
- Dedicated to furthering the quality of life for people with disabilities and has donated more than $25 million to organizations supporting that mission*
- Offers services for brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer rehabilitation, stroke, orthopedic, and amputee programs
*Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) populations Sustainable Development Goals https://www.maryfreebed.com/about-us/mary-free-bed-guild/
Mental Health Services
Supporting mental health care | Lagrange, GA
- Providing mental healthcare services to aging patients in independent, assisted living, residential communities, and long-term facilities
- Services are provided by fully licensed, experienced, and qualified personnel who practice accepted evidenced-based clinical therapies
- Provides services for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, anger management, memory loss, post-traumatic stress, drug and alcohol dependency, and cancer
- Therapy is offered in person or virtually and can be conducted individually or in a group therapy format
-
Located in
73%
BIPOC community
-
Located in a
60%
Black, moderate-income tract community
Mental Health Clinic
Investing in Woman-owned small business | West Haven, CT
- Asian female-owned mental health clinic providing in-home therapy services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Utilizes applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to increase communication skills, improve memory, and decrease disruptive behaviors
- Behavior technicians work with children to improve social, communication, motor, academic, and self-care skills
Marquette County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Marquette, MI
Sustainable development goals
- Bond proceeds used to redevelop 37 acres of land near downtown Marquette that required significant environmental remediation and site preparation and extensive work to install basic infrastructure
- Site was redeveloped for a new 280 bed medical center and 160,000 square feet of medical offices to support the hospital and community
- The number of people living in poverty in the city is 78% higher than that of the state
Stakeholders:
- Environment
- Students
- LMI individuals/communities
Medical Transportation Services
Supporting women-owned small business | Moreno Valley, CA
- Female-owned business established in 2017
- Supplies essential non-emergency transportation to and from healthcare facilities to gurney and wheelchair patients
-
8
Jobs provided
-
90%
Located in a BIPOC moderate-income tract neighborhood
Grocery Store
Supporting Access to healthy food | Dallas, TX
- Opened in early 2023 to replace a city-invested grocery store that closed during the pandemic in 2021
- Located in a “Food Desert”, defined as low-income neighborhoods that are a half mile or more from the nearest supermarket, supercenter, or large grocery store.* Before the market opened, the next closest grocery store was 5 miles away
- Residents with better access to supermarkets tend to have healthier diets and reduced risk for obesity**
* USDA Food Access Research Atlas ** Food Research & Action Center
-
Located in a
98%
BIPOC community
-
Replaced grocery store closed during the pandemic
Multi-family affordable rental housing
America is experiencing an affordable housing crisis; rental housing stock is severely limited and often unaffordable. 80% of low-income households pay more than 1/3 of their income for rent, leaving less for food, healthcare and education. RBC’s impact investing strategies finance affordable rental units, buying first mortgages of multi-family rental units, helping to support renters with income limits, who are further supported by federal, state and housing authority assistance programs.
-
Filter by region:
West Northeast Midwest
Legends South
Affordable multi-family housing | Chicago, IL
- Affordable rental housing complex with 100% of 138 units reserved for those making 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or less
- Average annual income of residents is $14,493 and monthly rent averages $331
- Located in Chicago’s south side Bronzeville neighborhood. Complex is within walking distance to two train lines, 15 minutes from downtown, and 5 minutes from Hyde Park
-
100%
Reserved for low-income residents
-
93%
of residents are female
-
$14,493
Average annual income of residents
Orange Senior Citizens Housing
Affordable senior housing | Orange, NJ
Sustainable development goals
- Multi-family complex where 100% of units are reserved for seniors (aged 62 or older) making 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or less
- Resident average annual income is $14,937 and average rent is $351*
*HUD Housing Picture 2022
-
$14,937
Average annual resident income
-
66%
of units are women-headed households
-
Located in
98%
BIPOC neighborhood
Walker on Kenzie
Affordable senior housing | St. Anthony, MN
Sustainable development goals
- Resident average annual income is $17,271*
- Affordable independent living for seniors 62+ years featuring one or two-bedroom apartments
- All apartments are wheelchair-accessible and three are specialized handicapped
- Federally subsidized senior living community where rent is based on 30% of the resident’s annual income
- Community is managed by a faith-based nonprofit senior living organization that has been providing housing, health care, and rehabilitation since 1945
* HUD Housing Picture 2022
-
100%
Of residents are considered “very low” or “extremely low-income”
-
75%
Of units are women-headed households
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Environmentally sustainable affordable housing
Sustainable development goals
- Issued the 2018 Sustainability Bonds to establish a program for the creation and improvement of rental and owner-occupied housing for Vermont residents with very low-to-moderate income, in areas targeted for growth and reinvestment by the state
- Projects will follow the state’s Green Building and Design Standards
Affordable homeownership
Owning a home has long been a pillar of the American dream. Unfortunately, would-be homeowners who are low- and moderate- income are often overlooked by lenders, even those with good credit. RBC GAM’s impact investing strategies help low- and moderate-income buyers access mortgages at prime rates. Affordable mortgages for low-to-moderate-income families provide stability, and a major vehicle for building wealth and economic opportunity.
-
Filter by region:
South Northeast
Mortgages to LMI Female Borrowers
Affordable home ownership for low-income women | DC Area
- 100% female head-of-household borrower pool consisting of a total of 18 mortgages
- Affordable mortgages to low-to-moderate income (LMI) women provide shelter, economic stability, and the ability to build wealth
- Homes were purchased in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland
- Borrowers have incomes between 34% and 76% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- Borrowers with incomes less than 50% of AMI are considered “low-income”
- Borrowers with incomes between 50% and 80% of AMI are considered “moderate-income”
- Average home price ~$200,000*
Home Repair Program
Preserving affordable housing | Philadelphia, PA
Sustainable development goals
- The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority created the Home Repair Program in 2018 in an effort to improve the health of City residents and preserve critical affordable housing
- This initiative establishes a loan and grant program for low-, moderate-, and middle-income homeowners who may not otherwise qualify for a loan in the private market due to income, credit, or other factors and who also may not qualify for city home repair grant programs
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Environmentally sustainable affordable housing
Sustainable development goals
- Issued the 2018 Sustainability Bonds to establish a program for the creation and improvement of rental and owner-occupied housing for Vermont residents with very low-to-moderate income, in areas targeted for growth and reinvestment by the state
- Projects will follow the state’s Green Building and Design Standards
Small business
Many would-be small business owners lack the capital to open businesses that serve the community, like laundry facilities, supermarkets and clinics. RBC GAM’s impact investing strategies buy the guaranteed portions of SBA loans to deliver more services to the residents of low- and moderate-income communities and more job opportunities within the local economy.
-
Filter by region:
South Northeast West
Daycare Center
Promoting access to quality education | Riverdale, GA
- Black female-owned childcare centre seeking to teach children of low-income families the foundational skills needed before entering elementary school
- Works to enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being in an enriched, fun, and high-quality environment
- Progressive and holistic approach exposes children to different experiences so the child can explore and develop their self-awareness
-
Located in a
94%
BIPOC community
-
Located in a
96%
Black, moderate-income neighborhood
Preschool
Supporting Black-owned business | Phenix City, AL
- Black female-owned daycare that caters to early childhood education
- Learning academy embraces cultural diversity and life-long learning by applying a student-centred thematic curriculum
- Offers programs for infants up to preschoolers (3-5 years old)
- Originated by Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), a national non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to improve lives and strengthen communities via financial solutions
Mental Health Services
Supporting mental health care | Lagrange, GA
- Providing mental healthcare services to aging patients in independent, assisted living, residential communities, and long-term facilities
- Services are provided by fully licensed, experienced, and qualified personnel who practice accepted evidenced-based clinical therapies
- Provides services for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, anger management, memory loss, post-traumatic stress, drug and alcohol dependency, and cancer
- Therapy is offered in person or virtually and can be conducted individually or in a group therapy format
-
Located in
73%
BIPOC community
-
Located in a
60%
Black, moderate-income tract community
Mental Health Clinic
Investing in Woman-owned small business | West Haven, CT
- Asian female-owned mental health clinic providing in-home therapy services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Utilizes applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to increase communication skills, improve memory, and decrease disruptive behaviors
- Behavior technicians work with children to improve social, communication, motor, academic, and self-care skills
Water Management
BIPOC-owned small business | Miami Beach, FL
- Latinx-owned business specializing in water management solutions that address water scarcity, water discharge and water quality issues
- Provides expertise in grey water recycling (repurposing household wastewater from sinks, baths, and washers), rainwater collection, black water recycling, and storm water management
- When designing water systems, the geographical location, building layout, property attributes, budge, and sustainability goals are all considered
- After purification, the recycled water can be used as potable (drinking and cooking), hygienic (baths/showers) or non-potable (irrigation, car washing or laundry)
Medical Transportation Services
Supporting women-owned small business | Moreno Valley, CA
- Female-owned business established in 2017
- Supplies essential non-emergency transportation to and from healthcare facilities to gurney and wheelchair patients
-
8
Jobs provided
-
90%
Located in a BIPOC moderate-income tract neighborhood
Educational Technology Company
BIPOC-owned small business | Fresno, CA
- BIPOC-owned educational technology company dedicated to transforming K-12 education through data analysis
- Their platform uses proprietary automation scripts to harvest, transform, consolidate, and visualize data available from state and school systems
- Services include multiple measures of student report cards (giving a comprehensive snapshot of a students’ overall performance), strategic planning, professional development classes, and street data capacity workshops
- Located in an 83% BIPOC low-income neighborhood
Grocery Store
Supporting Access to healthy food | Dallas, TX
- Opened in early 2023 to replace a city-invested grocery store that closed during the pandemic in 2021
- Located in a “Food Desert”, defined as low-income neighborhoods that are a half mile or more from the nearest supermarket, supercenter, or large grocery store.* Before the market opened, the next closest grocery store was 5 miles away
- Residents with better access to supermarkets tend to have healthier diets and reduced risk for obesity**
* USDA Food Access Research Atlas ** Food Research & Action Center
-
Located in a
98%
BIPOC community
-
Replaced grocery store closed during the pandemic
Professional Training for First Responders
Supporting veteran-owned small business | Las Vegas, NV
- Veteran-owned small business providing professional training for first responders
- Employs an elite group of tactical medicine, search and rescue, military, and utility and public safety aviation experts
- Training programs for helicopter rescue, tactical medicine, mountain rescue, and safety audits are customized to fit any agency and operation
-
Located in a
91%
BIPOC community
-
Located in a
56%
Latinx, moderate-income tract neighborhood
Renewable Energy Company
Supporting renewable energy | Juno Beach, FL
Sustainable development goals
- World’s largest utility company and producer of wind and solar energy
- First wind site went online in 1998 in Oregon and throughout the years, the company has acquired or built dozens of wind farms; the latest expansion was in 2018 where eight new solar energy centers were built
Clean water & sanitation
The impacts of climate change are systemic, unprecedented and already apparent. While many natural resources need protecting, water is vital to all life on earth. We invest in projects that expand access to sustainable clean water and sanitation and expand land preservation.
-
Filter by region:
Midwest South
Marquette County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Marquette, MI
Sustainable development goals
- Bond proceeds used to redevelop 37 acres of land near downtown Marquette that required significant environmental remediation and site preparation and extensive work to install basic infrastructure
- Site was redeveloped for a new 280 bed medical center and 160,000 square feet of medical offices to support the hospital and community
- The number of people living in poverty in the city is 78% higher than that of the state
Stakeholders:
- Environment
- Students
- LMI individuals/communities
Water Management
BIPOC-owned small business | Miami Beach, FL
- Latinx-owned business specializing in water management solutions that address water scarcity, water discharge and water quality issues
- Provides expertise in grey water recycling (repurposing household wastewater from sinks, baths, and washers), rainwater collection, black water recycling, and storm water management
- When designing water systems, the geographical location, building layout, property attributes, budge, and sustainability goals are all considered
- After purification, the recycled water can be used as potable (drinking and cooking), hygienic (baths/showers) or non-potable (irrigation, car washing or laundry)
Climate change solutions & mitigation
Climate change is a global challenge that will have impacts on economies, markets, and societies worldwide. RBC GAM's impact investing strategies support projects that promote environmental sustainability and the preservation of our planet’s natural resources. By carefully selecting and vetting our investments we aim to be not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative.
-
Filter by region:
Midwest South Northeast
Marquette County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Marquette, MI
Sustainable development goals
- Bond proceeds used to redevelop 37 acres of land near downtown Marquette that required significant environmental remediation and site preparation and extensive work to install basic infrastructure
- Site was redeveloped for a new 280 bed medical center and 160,000 square feet of medical offices to support the hospital and community
- The number of people living in poverty in the city is 78% higher than that of the state
Stakeholders:
- Environment
- Students
- LMI individuals/communities
Water Management
BIPOC-owned small business | Miami Beach, FL
- Latinx-owned business specializing in water management solutions that address water scarcity, water discharge and water quality issues
- Provides expertise in grey water recycling (repurposing household wastewater from sinks, baths, and washers), rainwater collection, black water recycling, and storm water management
- When designing water systems, the geographical location, building layout, property attributes, budge, and sustainability goals are all considered
- After purification, the recycled water can be used as potable (drinking and cooking), hygienic (baths/showers) or non-potable (irrigation, car washing or laundry)
Renewable Energy Company
Supporting renewable energy | Juno Beach, FL
Sustainable development goals
- World’s largest utility company and producer of wind and solar energy
- First wind site went online in 1998 in Oregon and throughout the years, the company has acquired or built dozens of wind farms; the latest expansion was in 2018 where eight new solar energy centers were built
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Environmentally sustainable affordable housing
Sustainable development goals
- Issued the 2018 Sustainability Bonds to establish a program for the creation and improvement of rental and owner-occupied housing for Vermont residents with very low-to-moderate income, in areas targeted for growth and reinvestment by the state
- Projects will follow the state’s Green Building and Design Standards