Community Programs

Because CitiFinancial team members live and work in the neighbourhoods we serve, we believe in actively participating in the community. We are committed to the betterment of the local areas in which we do business.

The CitiFinancial Local Contributions Program is designed to help CitiFinancial branches contribute to not-for-profit charitable organizations. We do this through grants made available through the Citi Foundation.

The primary focus of the Citi Foundation is on education and community development. However, the Foundation also supports the arts and other cultural projects.

We support financial education because we believe access to investment products and capital can raise the quality of life for individuals and families and strengthen communities around the world. But capital must be used responsibly and wisely, and a good financial education can help people make the most of their money. The Foundation provides grants for financial education programs in three areas -- personal, small business, and institutional -- that:

• Lead to the development of assets that can help increase family stability and encourage better consumer habits.
• Deliver economic and financial education to young people to help them learn how to create wealth, set financial goals and make informed financial choices.
• Improve how entrepreneurs save, borrow and invest in their enterprises.
• Build the capacity of not-for-profit organizations by offering training on financial management.
• Offer university training to future leaders that increase their understanding of and ability to manage complex financial issues.

The Foundation seeks to improve educational opportunities in low-income communities that will better prepare the next generation for life-long learning and the workforce. In early childhood and primary and secondary education, grants support early literacy development, technology-based curriculum resources, and career and college preparation programs. The Foundation provides grants for teacher training and innovative teaching strategies that increase student achievement. Programs that enhance learning by integrating the arts into school curricula and increase student access to leading cultural institutions are also funded. In higher education, grants are made to improve student and curriculum development for graduate and undergraduate business programs. The Foundation also provides scholarships to increase access to higher education and to provide more opportunities for women and minorities in the workplace.

Grants are made to reinforce community-led efforts to revitalize low-income neighbourhoods in Citi communities worldwide. The Foundation seeks to support community development corporations, intermediary organizations and community development financial institutions that focus on affordable housing, economic development, welfare-to-work initiatives, community infrastructure improvements, and environmentally sustainable growth of local economies. Grants are also made to support community-based health and human services programs and disaster relief efforts.

Applications for the following WILL NOT be accepted:

• Capital or endowment campaigns
• General organizational support
• Religious purposes
• Political or labour organizations
• Advertising, special events, or dinners
• Fundraising activities