News Releases

Calgary, April 21, 2010 - The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation hosted a Celebration of Giving today, to distribute funds to Calgary Area charitable organizations.

BMO Financial Group employees and representatives from various supported charitable groups gathered to celebrate the culmination of a year of employee-driven fundraising efforts by the Foundation.

• The 2009 Campaign raised a total of $483,486 for Alberta/NWT charities, many of whom attended the event.
• More than $8.7 million was raised Canada-wide through employee pledges and fundraisers.
• This is in addition to the $55 million that BMO Financial Group contributed in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States last year.

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

"Today's Celebration of Giving recognizes the tremendous work of these charities and the unwavering support of BMO employees," said David Sprague, Vice-President, Alberta South District.

"We invest in the well being of the neighbourhoods, towns and regions we serve because we are a part of them," continued Mr. Sprague. "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 Julie Bussiere, Chair of BMO Employee Charitable Foundation. "Last year's results have been a tremendous achievement and we are looking forward to increasing our charitable support in our upcoming 2010/2011 campaign."

"During this time of economic uncertainty for thousands of people, today is a fine example of how together we can put our shared aspirations to work to strengthen our communities," said Kate Munoz, Regional Director, Kids Help Phone, Alberta & NWT.

Listed below are the local recipient organizations of this donation:

Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation

Alzheimer Society - Calgary

Animal Rescue Recovery Centre - Calgary

Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary

Calgary Humane Society

Calgary Interfaith Food Bank Society

Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Calgary

Canadian Cancer Society

Canadian Diabetes Association - S. Alberta

Children's Cottage Society

Children's Wish Foundation - Alberta/NT Chapter

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Dreams Take Flight

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Hospice Calgary

Inn From the Cold

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Kids Help Phone

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Alberta

Meals on Wheels

Multiple Sclerosis Society - Calgary

STARS

The Mustard Seed

Tom Baker Cancer Centre

Unicef

United Way - Calgary and Area Alberta Adolescence Recovery Centre Calgary

YWCA Calgary

About The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation

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.