Suncor says only a small number of groups will lose support as the company changes how it supports non-profits.
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Suncor Energy is cutting how much support the company gives non-profits and narrowing its focus on which groups get funding. An annual turkey giveaway in Indigenous communities that was started by Syncrude was also cancelled by Suncor ahead of the last Christmas holiday season.
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Suncor did not name the organizations it will no longer fund. Suncor spokesperson Leithan Slade said the changes impact only a few groups.
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“The majority of community partners have not been affected by the decision, and the Foundation also remains committed to its post-secondary donation program,” he said in an email. “In terms of the Syncrude Turkey Giveaway, that was a difficult decision made as we realign and coordinate our efforts to best support communities in Wood Buffalo.”
Suncor supports dozens of community groups in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo and across Canada through its philanthropic arm, the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF). Impacted organizations were told of the changes earlier this month.
Funds that were already promised by Suncor will not be affected. Groups that will not receive future support will get an exit donation.
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The company plans to support SEF with more than $20 million for 2024, matching commitments from recent years. SEF gave nearly 100 non-profits and charities across Canada roughly $17.8 million in 2022.
The frugal approach comes after Suncor cut 1,500 positions last year, saving $450 million annually. Rich Kruger, who became CEO and president of the company last April, said Suncor will continue finding ways to trim, simplify or cut operations in the name of efficiency.
Funding will prioritize organizations with a provincial or national reach, unless it’s based in a community significant to Suncor operations. This includes Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. Indigenous-led programs, programming or initiatives are also prioritized.
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Groups basing decision making at a community or youth level are also a focus, as are groups working with other SEF-supported groups that “may add up to overall systems change.”
“The relationship between Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation remains one that we are proud of and continue to support,” said Slade in an email.
Financial statements for 2023 will be posted by Suncor next month. This includes a list of all organizations that were funded by SEF. The foundation also announces donations on a quarterly basis in a public newsletter.
Suncor reported its fourth quarter oil output for 2023 was its second-highest quarter ever. The company announced 808,000 barrels per day for upstream production. The strong fourth-quarter output means Suncor has met its corporate forecast provided in November 2022 and recorded an annual average upstream production of 746,000 barrels per day.
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vmcdermott@postmedia.com
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