Education is a core focus of our charitable giving program. As an organization that has long been recognized as a leader in learning, we know the important role education plays with our company and in society. The source of confidence, enlightenment and innovation, learning makes us all better.

In 2008, we pledged $4.7 million in new funding to educational institutions across Canada. Our contributions included $150,000 to the University of Winnipeg Opportunity fund. This program assists students from regions traditionally under-represented at university, including Aboriginal communities and inner-city neighbourhoods.

To foster excellence and accessibility in postsecondary education and support the generosity of our people, BMO provides matching funding for eligible donations made by our employees, pensioners and directors through our Matching Gift Program for Higher Education. We contributed $140,000 through our Matching Gift Program last year.

We have partnered with the University of Calgary to launch the Aboriginal Lynx program, which connects nine universities across Western Canada through online and in-person networking opportunities. This program works with Aboriginal students throughout their academic careers to ensure a smooth transition from university to employment.

We support financial literacy through a wide range of community programs and information tools, including outreach programs and our series of podcasts for students and homebuyers

We support education through several scholarship programs, including:

For a complete listing of schools we donated money to last year, see our donations list.

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Good health and wellness – hallmarks of a responsible and caring society – are an important concern to our many stakeholders. It’s a concern we share. In 2008, BMO committed $5.4 million to medical research and treatment, and to organizations promoting wellness at both the national and local levels across Canada. We focus our donations in the areas of community health care and medical research.

Supporting Community Health Care
We donated $2 million to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to support the construction of the new Emergency Department in Vancouver.

BMO also announced a $400,000 contribution to the It’s Our Time campaign in support of “close-to-home” health care services in Ontario’s Niagara Region. The campaign will help finance new regional health care services for cancer, heart disease and mental health, and an expanded kidney disease treatment program.

In southeastern Ontario, our $100,000 commitment to the Tri-County Health Care Foundation’s Imagine Campaign will help provide local residents with greater access to state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging equipment.

BMO announced a $100,000 donation to the new Daffodil Place facility in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. More than half of cancer patients in the province must leave their families and communities to receive medical treatment in the capital. Daffodil Place will provide a comfortable environment for them, with 24 rooms designed specifically for cancer patients.

Advancing Medical Research
BMO is helping The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (SickKids) solidify its reputation as a world leader in children’s cardiac medicine. Last spring, we announced a $2 million donation to establish the BMO Financial Group Chair in Cardiology at the hospital. Head of the Division of Cardiology at SickKids and world-renowned clinician and researcher Dr. Andrew Redington has been named the inaugural chair holder. Under Dr. Redington’s leadership, SickKids currently performs the majority of children’s heart transplants in Canada and cares for 80% of children in Ontario with congenital heart defects.

In 2008, we committed $2 million to create the BMO Vulnerable Populations Unit within the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Researchers at this leading teaching and research hospital are pursuing projects that include developing a computer-assisted tool to help doctors detect domestic violence, and making HIV screening a part of routine medical care.

In Montreal, BMO made a $2 million commitment to the Heart Beat for the Future campaign for a Prevention Unit at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI). Since 80% to 90% of cardiovascular disease could be avoided through lifestyle changes like diet, exercise and smoking cessation, MHI makes prevention a cornerstone of its mission.

Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre
In British Columbia, we announced a pledge of $150,000 over five years to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre. The new facility will include a state-of-the-art, 300-bed acute care hospital serving 330,000 people in the Fraser Valley area.

Peace Arch Hospital
We also announced a $150,000, five-year contribution to help update and expand Peace Arch Hospital, the primary care facility for residents of White Rock and South Surrey.

Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation
In Alberta, we announced a pledge of $100,000 over five years to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, a teaching hospital in Edmonton affiliated with the University of Alberta. The funds will go to the construction of the new seven-storey Robbins Pavilion, which will house a number of health services, including the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, the first hospital in the region dedicated to women’s health.

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University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
In Ontario, we pledged $750,000 over five years to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation’s three hospitals in Kingston. While the major portion of our pledge is earmarked for the redevelopment of the hospital sites, $250,000 will be used to establish the BMO Financial Group Awards for Healthcare Excellence endowment, which will be used to generate annual awards to allow staff to attend international training sessions and conferences, as well as to support their master’s and doctorate studies.

Southlake Regional Health Centre
In Ontario, we announced a commitment of $750,000 over five years to Southlake Regional Health Centre (SRHC) in Newmarket to build a new cancer centre. It is estimated that by 2012, SRHC, a community hospital and regional cancer centre, will treat 95,000 patients with cancer annually.

The William Osler Health Centre
We committed $500,000 in support of The William Osler Health Centre in Brampton.

John McGivney Children’s Centre
And we committed $60,000 over five years to help redevelop the John McGivney Children’s Centre, which provides rehabilitative services to children and youth with disabilities and special needs in the Windsor and Essex County community.

Eastern Regional Health Authority
In Newfoundland and Labrador, we pledged $400,000 over five years to over 80 health care facilities that make up the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation
Since 1995, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF) has been dedicated to funding research, patient care, education and awareness in Eastern Ontario. Last year, BMO committed $150,000 over five years to ORCF, which will fund the creation of BMO Financial Group Fellowships to support cancer research.

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"BMO is known for supporting the arts. And they get the ecology of the arts system across all the disciplines. They support emerging artists, new voices, small companies, medium-sized companies and, of course, the great cultural institutions. The National Ballet of Canada is very proud to be associated with BMO."

Karen Kain Artistic Director The National Ballet of Canada

Tom Milroy, CEO, BMO Capital Markets, Matthew Teitelbaum, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario, and Gilles Ouellette, President and CEO, Private Client Group, at the announcement of the re-opening of the AGO on November 14, 2008. BMO Financial Group is the Lead Inaugural Partner at the AGO’s grand opening and Signature Partner of the Canadian Collection Program.

Daniel MacIvor, Toronto-based playwright, the 2008 winner of the Siminovitch prize, and his two protégés, Medina Hahn and Daniel Arnold.

We remain steadfast in our belief that arts and culture enrich all our lives. Whether it emerges in a music class at a local community centre or blossoms on a national stage or gallery, art is a source of inspiration and joy.

Art Gallery of Ontario
Building on our shared 30-year history, BMO announced a new three-year partnership with the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in 2008. We were the lead inaugural partner at the grand reopening of the AGO, which has been transformed by celebrated Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry. We also became the gallery’s signature partner for the Canadian Collection Program, which offers activities that engage visitors with Canadian art.

Banff Centre for Continuing Education
Our contribution included the announcement of a $450,000 pledge to The Banff Centre for Continuing Education. An internationally celebrated learning and cultural institution, The Banff Centre draws more than 7,000 creative artists and thinkers to its doors annually. Banff’s programs range from artist residencies and curatorial studies to leadership development for not-for profit organizations.

The Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre
The Siminovitch Prize in Theatre was introduced in 2001 and dedicated to renowned scientist Lou Siminovitch and his late wife Elinore, a playwright. Sponsored by BMO Financial Group, Canada’s largest annual theatre arts award honours professional directors, playwrights and designers by acknowledging excellence and encouraging further exploration in Canadian theatre. The winner receives $100,000, of which one quarter is given to a protégé chosen by the recipient. BMO Financial Group, a longstanding supporter of theatre in Canada, is the corporate sponsor of The Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, which honours a director, playwright or designer in mid-career who has made a significant contribution to the theatre in Canada.

Stratford Festival
BMO Financial Group has been a sponsor of the Stratford Festival since its opening day over half a century ago. Today our sponsorship of Stratford’s Family Experience Program provides families with ticket savings, youth-friendly programs and newsletters, as well as coupons for area restaurants and shops.

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BMO Financial Group 1^st Art! Invitational Student Art Competition
Launched in January 2003, 1st Art! celebrates the creativity of art school students from more than 100 post-secondary institutions across Canada. Deans and instructors of certificate, diploma and degree programs in visual art are invited to select from their graduating classes three students whose ability and imagination place them 1st among their peers.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
BMO Financial Group is proud of our longstanding support of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This year, BMO Financial Group is continuing its support as the conductors' Podium Sponsor.

National Business Book Award
BMO Financial Group sponsors the National Business Book Award, Canada’s most prestigious annual literary award for excellence in business writing.

Canadian Centre for Architecture
BMO Financial Group is also one of the institutional partners of the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA). The CCA is a museum and international study centre devoted to the art of architecture past and present. Its mission is to make architecture a public concern through exhibitions, publications, educational and cultural programs. The CCA's unique collection of works of art and documentation are drawn from cultures throughout the world and all disciplines that create and intervene in the built environment, including architecture, urban planning and landscape design.

The National Ballet of Canada
BMO is a long-time supporter of The National Ballet of Canada. For the 2008/09 season, BMO is the presenting sponsor of “The Seagull” by internationally-celebrated choreographer John Neumeier.

National Theatre School (NTS)
Funding to the NTS Bursary Funds supports students whose financial situation would otherwise prevent them from pursuing their training.

Canadian Opera Company
For 40 years, BMO has proudly partnered with the Canadian Opera Company (COC). The BMO Financial Group Student Dress Rehearsals program brings opera to young people and to new audiences, while the BMO Financial Group Pre-Performance Opera Chats provide a musical, historical and social perspective on each opera performed. Our support continued in 2006, a landmark year during which the COC took up residence in its superb new home, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Following a $625,000 donation to the capital campaign for the centre, we contributed $1 million to sponsor the opening celebrations at the facility, which included free concerts and tours of the new facility. We also hosted 30 music-loving students from Hamilton’s Buchanan Park Public School at a special performance of Isis and the Seven Scorpions, an exciting new opera commissioned by the COC and written specifically for young people.

Robin Hood
BMO Financial Group is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Ross Petty Productions hilarious holiday Pantomime in Toronto.

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"We are thrilled at the generous show of support we have received from BMO for our Futures Campaign. This will help ensure that we maintain and enhance our relevancy to children as they continue to embrace web-based communication."

Tom McAllister President & CEO Kids Help Phone

Partnering for Community Development

BMO is committed to investing in organizations that strengthen our communities.

Support of Civic & Community

Season4Change
In Saskatoon, we sponsor Season4Change, an annual holiday season campaign that raises funds for the Saskatoon Crisis Nursery. Open 24 hours a day, the facility makes short-term housing available for children during family crises such as a parental illness or the loss of a home.

Chicago Urban League
In the United States, we continued our history of community involvement. Harris made a US$200,000 multi-year contribution to the Chicago Urban League (CUL) in 2008. For 92 years, CUL has supported economic, educational and social progress for African Americans. Our commitment will support the League’s Entrepreneurship Center and its mandate to strengthen and increase the number of businesses owned by African Americans.

Red Cross
In the spring of 2008, BMO and BMO Employee Charitable Foundation made a joint contribution of $30,000 to Canadian Red Cross relief efforts for flood victims in New Brunswick. For its part, Harris donated US$50,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help flood and tornado victims in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. BMO also donated $150,000 to the Red Cross to assist natural disaster victims in China and Myanmar. BMO and Harris matched an additional $100,000 in employee donations.

La Fresque BMO
In Quebec, BMO celebrated the 400th anniversary of Quebec City by helping fund La Fresque BMO de la capitale nationale du Québec, a six-storey trompe-l’oeil mural depicting individuals central to the city’s history.

Shelter from the Storm

No one should have to live with abuse. Ever.

Did you know that half of women in Canada experience physical violence at least once in their lives? Did you know there is a way you can help prevent it?

BMO Financial Group is proud to support Shelter from the Storm - the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s national campaign dedicated to ending violence against women. Funds raised between April 13th and May 10th support shelters for abused women and violence prevention programs across Canada.

Together we can end violence against women. Please visit www.shelterfromthestorm.ca and donate now.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights
In May 2006, BMO presented a cheque for $750,000 to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. The museum will be one of the largest human rights centres in the world when it opens in the city’s historic Forks district in 2010.

Kids Help Phone
In 1989, BMO Financial Group became a Founding Sponsor of Kids Help Phone, Canada’s only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone and web counselling, referral and information service for children and youth. In 1996, BMO extended its support and became the presenting sponsor of the Kids Help Phone Student Ambassador program. Student Ambassadors are dynamic high school students who work within their own schools and communities to raise awareness of Kids Help Phone. They are supported by a network of adult volunteers who initiate local, community-level awareness and fundraising campaigns across Canada.

In 2007, BMO pledged $2 million to Kids Help Phone, the lead gift in their first ever capital campaign. The donation is helping the organization expand its infrastructure to meet the demand of web counselling and keep up with the way young people are communicating today.

Most recently BMO became the title sponsor of the BMO Boo-la-thon in support of Kids Help Phone. Held the weekend before Halloween, this annual national bowling fundraiser was launched 17 years ago by BMO employees. In 2008, the event raised $566,000 for Kids Help Phone. A very special thank you to all our employees who participate every year!

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Calgary Stampede
BMO Financial Group is proud to announce the renewed partnership with the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede which includes the naming rights to the newly expanded Roundup Centre in Stampede Park for the next 10 years.

Along with BMO Centre, and new for 2009, BMO will have a 10-Day Kids’ Zone on park at BMO Saddledome Lane. This area will focus on family entertainment and western fun during park hours. Also, BMO Power of Blue will be present at the main gates and within the Rodeo. BMO Customers will be given priority lines to enter the Stampede as well as an opportunity each rodeo to win the “Best Seats in the House” by simply waving their BMO Debit or BMO MasterCard.

The extensive partnership between BMO Financial Group and Calgary Stampede, which began when BMO became the Stampede's official banker in 1912, includes the continuation of title sponsorships of the Farm Family Awards, honouring the contribution of those working in the agriculture industry and BMO Kids Day, which brings out more than 30,000 people annually for a free pancake breakfast and plenty of fun family entertainment.

BMO is proud to partner with the Calgary Stampede celebrating Western heritage and the importance of agriculture to Albertans.

Fashion Cares
BMO Financial Group cares. We are proud to support Fashion Cares and our community in the fight against AIDS and HIV.

Take Our Kids to Work
Every year, BMO Financial Group employees across Canada take Grade 9 students to work for the day so that students can experience how education relates to work and to their future careers.

House of Commons Parliamentary Internship Programme
Last spring, BMO renewed our commitment as lead sponsor of the House of Commons Parliamentary Internship Programme, one of the most important public policy and legislative training programs in the country. BMO has been a long-time supporter of the Programme and became its lead corporate sponsor in 1999. We have now extended our partnership until 2008, and expanded our three-year financial contribution from $120,000 to $150,000. Established in 1969 by the Canadian Political Science Association, the Programme funds a minimum of ten interns who have the opportunity to supplement their theoretical knowledge of the workings of Parliament with practical experience of the day-to-day activities of members of Parliament. More than 300 interns have gone through the program since its inception.

Garth Williams, Director, Parliamentary Internship Programme (far left) and BMO CEO Bill Downe (far right) greet this year’s parliamentary interns in the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill. BMO has been lead corporate sponsor of the Parliamentary Internship Programme since 1999

"Harris has been an integral part of United Way for most of our 75 years, providing significant financial and volunteer support. It’s exactly involvement like this that strengthens our community so more people can face life’s challenges and become independent."

Janet Froetscher President and Chief Executive Officer United Way of Metropolitan Chicago

In 2008, we contributed $2.3 million to the federated charities, which work with community leaders, business, labour and governments to address critical social issues affecting our communities. Harris and BMO Capital Markets continued their relationship with the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, contributing US$1.7 million in partnership with our employees.

Canadian Council of Christians and Jews
We contributed $330,000 over five years to enable the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews to expand its existing programming. Since it was founded in 1947, the organization has been helping to break down barriers of ignorance and intolerance and build bridges of respect and understanding.

Centre BMO
Centre BMO is the name of the new agriculture-plus-soccer centre in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The new complex will meet the needs of the community – the leading agri-food centre in Quebec – for additional event and meeting space. At the same time, it will provide a venue for young people in the region to participate year-round in the most popular game on the planet.

YMCA
BMO is pleased to continue partnering with local YMCAs, which serve Canadians of all ages in communities across the country. In 2007, we pledged $100,000 over five years to the YMCA of Greater Vancouver’s Strong Foundations Strong Communities campaign. Specifically, our contribution will help revitalize the YMCA Nanook Child Care Centre, a facility that provides much-needed services for children and new immigrant families in East Vancouver. In Alberta, we contributed $50,000to YMCA Calgary’s Growing Strong Together campaign. This money will be targeted toward programs designed to help youth succeed. Meanwhile, in Nova Scotia, we pledged $75,000 over three years to The YMCA of Cape Breton, the oldest charitable organization in the region. The funding will support expanding and refurbishing the Y’s main branch in Sydney.

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From grassroots aid for tomorrow's Canadian champions, BMO Financial Group is an enthusiastic supporter of amateur sport and athletics at every level. Our long-term commitments mean athletes can invest the time and effort that build outstanding personal achievement.

BMO Financial Group and Soccer
When it comes to supporting soccer in Canada, BMO is the leader in the marketplace. We believe in inspiring, leading and enabling players at all levels.

Our commitment to soccer begins in thousands of neighborhoods and communities across Canada – where we are a founding sponsor of Play Soccer and presenting sponsor of Mini Soccer. As well, there are more than 400 youth soccer teams in 50 clubs proudly wearing “BMO” while they compete in house leagues in every province.

At a national level, BMO has partnered with the Canadian Soccer Association, supporting the Canadian National team in international play. We also support soccer at the elite levels with the BMO National Championships for up-and-coming youth players.

In Vancouver, BMO has been a proud partner of the Whitecaps since 2005. In Toronto, BMO is naming rights sponsor of BMO Field, Canada’s National Soccer Stadium and home to Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC. BMO is the Premier Partner of Toronto FC, proudly competing with BMO on their jerseys.

In 2009, BMO launches a new national soccer program – The BMO Soccer Spirit Awards. The program honours youth soccer players across the country who exhibit characteristics like sportsmanship, integrity, dedication and passion for the sport. Players may nominate themselves, or be nominated by a coach, friend or family member.

BMO Financial Group and Skate Canada
BMO Financial Group's sponsorship supports the novices, the national champions and skaters at all levels in between. BMO's commitment to skating began in 1997 when it signed on as title sponsor of the Canadian Championships. Since then, BMO has strengthened its bond with the sport through its support of Skate Canada's CanSkate program, a partnership that has enabled BMO to reach out to skaters in local arenas across the country. To encourage the development of future Canadian skaters, BMO established the BMO Financial Group CanSkate Champions Medal Program in 2001.

BMO Vancouver Marathon
In 2006, BMO Bank of Montreal became the title sponsor of one of Vancouver’s oldest health and fitness-related events, the BMO Vancouver Marathon. In 2009, there were close to 13,000 triumphant runners, walkers and wheelchair participants from 35 countries taking part in the full, half, team relay, 8km and kids' marathon races. BMO is proud to be aligned with a community-based event that is well-loved by spectators and participants alike.

BMO Nations’ Cup and Equestrian Sports
BMO Financial Group is a founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows and has funded the BMO Nations’ Cup; held every September at the Masters Tournament in Calgary, since 1977. Canada's top show jumpers, including the Canadian team lead by Ian Millar, compete against the world's best at Spruce Meadows, North America's best show jumping event. Since 1988, Ian has been BMO’s corporate equestrian advisor.

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Calgary Flames
BMO is a proud sponsor and official bank of the Calgary Flames. In 2007, we launched a program with the Flames called BMO Community Hero of the Game, which recognizes someone at Flames home games for the good work they do in their community.

Toronto Maple Leafs
As the official bank of the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as Official Season Sponsor, BMO engages Leafs fans in Toronto and across the province of Ontario. The Leafs are a club steeped in history and have one of the most loyal, passionate and dedicated fan bases in all of the NHL; BMO shares in this passion.

BMO Power of Blue offers special Leafs perks to BMO customers that attend Leafs games, as well as BMO-customer-exclusive contests to win great prizes. As loyal fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs ourselves, BMO recognizes Leafs fans for showing their spirit through BMO Ultimate Fan promotions.

Toronto Raptors
BMO is very proud to call itself the “Official Bank of the Toronto Raptors” as well as Official Season Sponsor. BMO runs the Ultimate Fan promotion, in which Raptors fans can win tickets and other amazing prizes.

Toronto Marlies
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be a sponsor the Toronto Marlies, who are part of the American Hockey League. Several Marlies players have graduated from the team to their NHL counterpart, the Toronto Maple Leafs. BMO supports the dedication and commitment it takes to move from the minor to the major leagues.

Canadian Finals Rodeo
BMO Bank of Montreal has been pleased to be the title sponsor of BMO Family Day at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton since 2006. Held every November at Edmonton Northlands, the Canadian Finals Rodeo competition attracts an audience of over 100,000 annually. BMO’s sponsorship of the Canadian Finals Rodeo demonstrates our support of Canadian western heritage and tradition and the pursuit of excellence in one of the world’s best rodeo championships.

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