News Releases

Edmonton, April 21, 2010 - The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation hosted a Celebration of Giving today, to distribute funds to Edmonton 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 Lynda Taylor, Vice-President, Alberta North District.

"We invest in the well-being of the neighbourhoods, towns and regions we serve because we are a part of them," continued Ms. Taylor. "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 the 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 Marjorie Bencz, Executive Director, Edmonton Food Bank.

Listed below are the local recipient organizations of this donation:

Alberta Cancer Foundation

Alzheimer Society - Edmonton

Autism Society - Alberta

Boys & Girls Clubs Edmonton

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

Canadian Cancer Society - Edmonton and North-West Division

Canadian Diabetes Association - Edmonton

Christmas Bureau - Edmonton

Cross Cancer Institute

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation

Edmonton Gleaners Association Food Bank

Edmonton Humane Society

Fort Saskatchewan Food Gatherers Society

Friends of Bertha Kennedy School Society

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Kids Kottage

Multiple Sclerosis Society

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Northgate Baptist Church

Rainbow Society of Alberta

Spruce Grove & Stony Plain Victim Services

St. Albert Food Bank

Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation

Strathcona Christmas Bureau

United Way - Alberta Capital Region

University Hospital Foundation

Westlock Food Bank

Youth Emergency Shelter Society

Zebra Child Protection Centre Society A Safe Place - Strathcona Shelter Society

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.