News Releases

BMO Financial Group Employees Give $2.7 Million to Greater Toronto Area Charities

TORONTO, April 28, 2009 – BMO Employee Charitable Foundation hosted a Celebration of Giving this evening, to distribute funds to 56 Greater Toronto Area charitable organizations.

BMO Financial Group employees and representatives from various supported charitable groups gathered at First Canadian Place in Toronto tonight to celebrate the culmination of a year of employee-driven fundraising efforts by the Foundation.

The 2008 Campaign raised a total of $2.7 million for both the United Way Toronto and many individual GTA charities who attended this event.
More than $5.7 million was raised for charities within Ontario and $8.7 million Canada-wide.
This is over and above the $47.7 million that BMO Financial Group contributed in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in Canada last year.

100 per cent of donations provided through the Foundation are disbursed to charities across Canada, as BMO Financial Group covers all administrative costs.

“This evening's Celebration of Giving recognizes the tremendous work of these charities and the unwavering support of BMO employees,” said Bill Downe, President and CEO, BMO Financial Group and the United Way Toronto's Campaign Chair for 2009.

“We invest in the well being of the neighbourhoods, towns and regions we serve, because we are a part of them,” continued Downe. “Our commitment to helping meet the needs of the many organizations and groups that make our communities strong is driven by the people who work here. It's something we approach the same way we do every other part of our business: with a full-time commitment.”

“We are thrilled that BMO employees have once again joined together to support the Foundation's fundraising campaign,” said David Montgomery, Director, Ontario Region, BMO Employee Charitable Foundation. “2008 results have been a tremendous achievement, and we are looking forward to increasing our charitable support in our upcoming 2009/2010 campaign.”

"Once again, BMO Financial Group employees have demonstrated their giving spirit as they strive to improve people's lives," said Christina Politis, Campaign Director, United Way Toronto – recipients of $1.4 million from BMO employees in 2008. "At United Way, we share the belief that together we can build a stronger community for all, and our partnership with BMO Financial Group enables us to create opportunities for a better life for everyone. During this time of economic uncertainty for thousands of people, this evening is a fine example of how together, we can put our shared aspirations to work to strengthen our communities."

Listed below are the recipient organizations of this donation:

Alzheimer Society - Ontario Division
Arthritis Society - Ontario Division
Autism Society of Ontario
Bloorview Kids Rehab Foundation
Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
Boundless Adventures Association - Toronto
Breakfast Club for Learning
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter
Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Diabetes Association
Canadian Liver Foundation
Canadian Red Cross - Ontario Division
Canadian Women's Foundation
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health Foundation
Children's Aid Foundation
Children's Wish Foundation
Covenant House - Toronto
Credit Valley Hospital Foundation
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada
Daily Bread Food Bank - Toronto
Doctors Without Borders
Geneva Centre for Autism - Toronto
Habitat for Humanity - Toronto
Heart and Stroke Foundation - Toronto & GTA Division
Horizons for Youth
Hospital for Sick Children Foundation
Humane Society - Toronto
Ian Anderson Hospice Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Kids Help Foundation (Kids Help Phone)
Make a Wish Foundation -Toronto & Central Region
Mon Sheong Foundation - Chinese Home for Aged - Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation
Multiple Sclerosis Society - Ontario
National Ballet of Canada
Nellie's
Oakville Hospital Foundation
Parkinson Society Canada - National
Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Salvation Army
Second Harvest Food Support Committee
Sharelife
Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation
St. Michael's Hospital Foundation
Stephen Lewis Foundation
Sunnybrook Foundation - Toronto
Toronto General Hospital Foundation
Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs
Toronto Star Children's Charities
Trails Youth Initiatives
Trillium Health Centre Foundation
United Way Toronto
Variety Village
Yonge Street Mission
York Central Hospital

BMO Employee Charitable Foundation improves the lives of those in need by supporting thousands of registered charities in Canada through the generous support of the employees, pensioned employees, customers and friends of BMO Financial Group. Since 1999, the Foundation has raised over $64 million for more than 3,000 charities across the country through the efforts and generosity of BMO Financial Group employees and customers.

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