News Releases

BMO Nesbitt Burns and BMO Private Client Group employees have once again demonstrated their strong sense of community through their overwhelming support of the 2005 United Way/Fountain of Hope Campaign, BMO Financial Group's employee foundation.

Campaign co-Chairs, Fred Mifflin, Vice-Chair, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and Doug Newlands, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, BMO Nesbitt Burns, today announced that employee contributions to the campaign were $2.56 million – an outstanding 14.4 per cent increase in dollars pledged compared to last year.

“We're very proud of everyone who made this campaign such an overwhelming success. Our collective efforts go a long way to help strengthen our neighbourhoods and communities, and improve lives,” said Mifflin. 

More than 100 employee campaign “ambassadors” rallied their colleagues to participate in departmental awareness programs and special events including jeans days, golf tournaments, poker nights and bake sales.

“In addition to the fundraising events, nearly 1,400 employees also made campaign pledges, bringing overall participation close to 70 per cent,” said Newlands. 

“United Way is enormously appreciative of BMO employees' commitment to our annual campaign – for their valuable fundraising and, especially, for the time and energy from all levels of employees and executives,” said Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto. “Their generous contributions will help fund community building initiatives and change lives in neighbourhoods across our city.”

For more than 187 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves.  BMO is one of Canada's top corporate donors, contributing more than $29.5 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and event, supporting communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations in 2005. 

- 30 -