- Number of grassroots initiatives funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation jumps 12 per cent to nearly 900 -

TORONTO, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - Despite being in the red in 2009, many Canadians were still feeling green. In 2009, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), one of Canada's longest-serving environment and wildlife-focused charities, provided more than $4.1 million in funding to nearly 900 grassroots projects across Canada. The number of projects funded increased 12 per cent while the amount of funds granted climbed 28 per cent year-over-year.

"We knew the recession would hurt the ability of charities and schools to fund their environment projects, so we made a pledge at the start of 2009 to find a way to provide more financial support to more projects," says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "We're proud of our role in helping grassroots organization continue to do their work. We want to continue this momentum in 2010, and are encouraging non-profit organizations and schools to contact us for funding at www.tdfef.com."

In addition to providing financial support to 899 grassroots environment and wildlife projects, TD FEF celebrated the following milestones in 2009:

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    -   Introduced a new website at www.tdfef.com, a Twitter page at
        http://twitter.com/TDFEF and the "TD Friends of the Environment
        Foundation" fan page on Facebook;
    -   Implemented an e-gift donation function including themed e-cards at
        www.tdfef.com/egift;
    -   Announced the winners of the second annual Go Green Challenge, a
        national competition that invited university and college teams to
        submit an essay containing an idea or proposal that would have a
        positive environmental impact on a community. A total of 182 teams
        from 52 schools across Canada submitted proposals for "green" and
        sustainable communities;
    -   Distributed more than 500,000 TD FEF-branded reusable bags on Earth
        Day.
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How does TD FEF work?

One hundred per cent of every dollar donated to TD FEF goes directly to funding local projects in the community where the donation was made. When non-profit organizations and schools apply for funding, the local TD FEF Advisory Board recommends which projects to support in its area. Donations can range from less than $1,000 to more than $20,000 based on the scope of the project and how well the project meets funding criteria. There are 93 TD FEF chapters across Canada staffed by over 800 volunteers.

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    How can you get involved?

    -   Become a TD FEF donor by giving as little as a few dollars per month
        by donating online at www.tdfef.com or by visiting any TD Canada
        Trust branch;
    -   Give the gift of TD FEF. Make an online credit card on behalf of a
        friend, family member, or loved one. Donors can select one of several
        e-cards for their recipients and personalize their cards with a
        message about the donation;
    -   Volunteer with a local TD FEF Chapter Advisory Board:
        http://www.fef.td.com/advisoryboard.jsp;
    -   Join the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation fan page on
        Facebook and follow TD FEF on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TDFEF.
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About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:

Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $50 million in funding to over 18,400 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2009, TD FEF provided more than $4.1 million in support of 899 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.