News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 24, 2014) - Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation (TGWHF) is proud to announce their new three year corporate partnership with BMO World Elite MasterCard as Official Purchasing Partner of Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, Canada's premier wine and culinary fundraiser for medical research and innovation at University Health Network (UHN). The first-of-its-kind partnership supports the fundraising efforts of Grand Cru by providing donors with premium cardholder benefits and exclusive experiences.

"We are thrilled to welcome aboard BMO and grateful for their commitment over the next three years," said Tennys Hanson, President and CEO, Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. "Grand Cru continues to grow and achieve tremendous success thanks to our generous sponsors and loyal donors, and this partnership will help in supporting our hospitals and putting research first."

"BMO has a long track record of dedicating funds and resources to causes that improve the quality of life for those in the communities where we live, work and play, so partnering with Grand Cru was a natural fit," said David Heatherly, Chief Operating Officer, North American Retail Payments, BMO Financial Group. "With BMO World Elite MasterCard as the official purchasing partner, we can work with Grand Cru to bring added value and exclusivity to this donor base as they continue to provide the essential financial support needed to furthering research at UHN."

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, presented by Rogers. Since its inception in 2005, the Festival has raised more than $16.4 million for scientific research and key program areas at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, UHN. Proceeds raised this year will support the Toronto General Research Institute and Toronto Western Research Institute.

Grand Cru brings together international chefs, vintners and sommeliers, assembling the finest wine, gourmet cuisine and brightest minds in medical research. Grand Cru attendees are the Who's Who of Toronto's corporate and philanthropic elite with influential guests from Montreal, Ottawa, Naples, New York, Chicago and Boston. Illustrious in their respective fields, this diverse group of individuals has a common dedication to philanthropy.

For a complete history and photos of Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival please visit www.grandcru.ca.

ABOUT TORONTO GENERAL & WESTERN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation (TGWHF) raises funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital as well as for their respective research arms, Toronto General Research Institute and Toronto Western Research Institute. The Foundation's vision is to enable global leadership and innovation in healthcare by developing and sustaining strong relationships with University Health Network stakeholders. www.tgwhf.ca.

You can also follow the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation on Twitter at @tgwhf or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tgwhf. For Grand Cru-related communications, use #GrandCru2014.

ABOUT BMO FINANCIAL GROUP

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $537 billion as at October 31, 2013, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.