We recognize that a corporate culture which supports the communities where we live and work helps strengthen the social and economic foundations of these areas and benefits our employees, contractors and external stakeholders.

Over the past 23 years we have shown proven leadership in Community Investments. We have participated in hundreds of fundraising campaigns, donated millions of dollars to a wide range of organizations, we sustain dozens of scholarships and bursaries and our employees have volunteered thousands of hours of their time.

As the company has grown, so has the size and range of our commitment to the regions and communities in which we operate. Our efforts are focused in four key areas - health and research, education, safety and environment, and community living. Through volunteer involvement and contributions to non-profit and community-based organizations we are helping to improve the communities in our areas of operation. In 2009, we will continue to embrace these responsibilities.

We have created significant long-term partnerships with various national organizations and local charities under our four pillars of commitment.

• Education - We believe an investment in education is an investment in the future leaders of our industry and a way to ensure the successful future of oil and gas operations. In 2006, Enerplus entered into a long-term partnership with SAIT Polytechnic as a major sponsor to create the Enerplus Innovation Centre, a new centre in the Trades and Technology Complex that will specialize in applied research and innovation. We believe this commitment will help alleviate a shortage of skilled personnel in the energy industry as well as advance applied research and innovation in a variety of industries inclusive of energy. We have also been a long time supporter of a number of scholarship programs with a variety of educational institutions including Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, SAIT, Medicine Hat College and Grande Prairie Regional College.

• Health and Research - We donate to causes that further medical research and well-being because it's an area that has an impact, directly or indirectly, on all individuals. We are continuing our support of the Alberta Children's Hospital having renewed our long-term commitment this year. Also in support of the Children's Hospital we host an annual 'Legends of the Oil Patch Texas Hold'Em Charity Poker Tournament'. In 2006, we became the first organization in Canada to fund a specific research program through a five year donation to the Canadian Cancer Society. Our donation will provide funding for the research work of Dr. Michael Hendzel on the causes of cancer and how to more effectively treat the disease. We continue to support the treatment of cancer through contributions to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

• Safety and Environment - Enerplus places a high priority on protecting the health and safety of our employees, contractors and the public as well as preserving the quality of our environment. A commitment to causes that further these concerns means a better, healthier place for all of us to live and work. This year, we have renewed our commitment to STARS. At Enerplus, safety is our number one priority and we feel that STARS provides essential emergency medical care and transportation to the people in the communities where we live and work. Supporting the environment is also critical to our business and to the areas where we operate. We are happy to continue supporting Alberta Eco Trust Foundation and the impact it has on community-based environmental issues.

• Community Living - Enerplus provides support to community programs to help those less fortunate as a way for us to have a positive impact on residents of the cities, towns and regions where we have operations. We have been long-term supporters of Habitat for Humanity. Throughout our history we have helped build more than five homes for deserving families in our communities. To continue to make an impact and become more directly involved in the homes built by Habitat, Enerplus partnered with other corporate sponsors including CIBC, Blakes and Nexen.The partnership has been a huge success over the last five years. Not only is Enerplus pleased to contribute financially, but having our employees participate in the building of these homes through scheduled Framing and Build days has become part of our culture at Enerplus.

To see a full list of organizations that we have supported in the past please click here.

If you have a donation request or sponsorship opportunity that you would like us to consider, please click here for more information.

To view our Community Investment and Donations Policy, please click here.