Encouraging Education

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 2007, we pledged $4.8 million in new funding to educational institutions across Canada.

The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business
In British Columbia, we announced a $500,000 donation to The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, one of the country’s foremost research-based schools and an internationally recognized leader in creating business knowledge.

University of Victoria
We also pledged $550,000 over seven years to the University of Victoria to construct a 12,500-square-foot multi-purpose educational facility that will help make the university a leading centre for indigenous education in North America. Modelled on the traditional Coast Salish longhouse, the centre will bring many Aboriginal initiatives on campus – student recruitment, counselling and advisory personnel, faculty, and social gatherings – to one location with the aim of helping students succeed.

Wilfred Laurier University
In Central Canada, we announced a $500,000 donation to establish the BMO Financial Group Graduate Scholarship Fund at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

Concordia University
As well, we pledged $2.5 million to develop the 300-seat BMO Auditorium in the new John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal. The pledge will also fund a lecture series on business ethics and governance when the facility opens in 2009.

McGill University
In addition, we announced a commitment of $1.5 million over five years to establish the BMO Major Fellowship Endowment at Montreal’s McGill University.

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Promoting Health

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 2007, BMO committed $7.8 million to medical research and treatment, and to organizations promoting wellness at both the national and local levels across Canada.

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.

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.

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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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Supporting Arts & Culture

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.

BMO continues to be one of Canada’s largest corporate benefactors. In 2007, we contributed $50.4 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to support charities, not-for-profit organizations and programs. Of this amount $20.2 million in charitable donations and $22.4 million in sponsorships and events.

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.

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

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Community Development

Partnering for Community Development

Partnering with organizations that encourage tolerant and caring communities has long been a priority at BMO. Last year, we reaffirmed our long-standing commitment to Kids Help Phone with a $2 million donation. Our contribution will help the organization, Canada’s only toll-free and bilingual anonymous phone and web counselling, referral and information service for children and youth, sustain current operations while planning for future growth.

Support of Civic & Community

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 14th and May 11th 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. It was at that time, and remains to this day, the only service of its kind in Canada. Every day, 24 hours a day, Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors provide free, anonymous counselling to kids, both on the telephone and via the web. In 1996, BMO extended its support and became principal sponsor of the Kids Help Phone Student and Community Ambassador programs. Student Ambassadors are dynamic high school students who work within their own schools and communities to raise awareness of Kids Help Phone. Community Ambassadors represent a network of supportive adult volunteers who initiate local, community-level awareness and fundraising campaigns across Canada.

In 2007, BMO pledged $2 million to Kid’s Help Phone. The donation will help the organization add and train professional counseling staff, build capacity to triple the number of times it helps children and keep up with the way young people are communicating today.

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Calgary Stampede
BMO Bank of Montreal has served as the official banker of the Calgary Stampede since 1912, and is a major sponsor, celebrating Western heritage and the importance of agriculture to Albertans. Known as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” Stampede is Canada’s largest annual event; featuring an internationally recognized rodeo competition, agricultural competitions, musical concerts and carnival rides. BMO is the title sponsor of the BMO Farm Family Awards as well as BMO Kids Day, where over 20,000 children and adults are hosted to a pancake breakfast served by hundreds of volunteers including BMO employees.

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.

United Way
BMO Financial Group supports the United Way, which provides funding for thousands of member agencies delivering essential social services across the country. In 2007, we contributed a total of $2.3 million for the federated charities, which are committed to working in partnership with community leaders, business, labour and government to target the critical social issues affecting the quality of life in our communities.

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.

Dream Home
October 8, 2007 was a happy day for Corinne Gurman. That was when she won a BMO Bank of Montreal Dream Home, a new, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient house located in Laval, Quebec. It was a good day, too, for more than 100 not-for-profit organizations in the Montreal area operating in various fields – in particular with sick and underprivileged children –that will benefit from nearly $1 million raised by the Dream Home fundraising campaign.

Tickets for the 2008 BMO Dream Home draw are currently on sale. The draw will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2008. For more information, click here.

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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Sponsoring Sports and Athletics

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.

Soccer
The extensive partnership between BMO Financial Group and Toronto FC includes naming rights for the national soccer stadium (now called BMO Field), sponsorship of Toronto FC, and sponsorship of Play Soccer, a grassroots soccer program developed by the Ontario Soccer Association that will further popularize the sport among young people.

2007 marked the official opening of BMO Field^TM in Toronto. It also saw the launch of our partnering with The Canadian Soccer Association to support grassroots soccer for young people – one way to support our customers from diverse backgrounds in communities across the country.

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 Bank of Montreal 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 2008, there were close to 13,000 triumphant runners, walkers and wheelchair participants in the full, half, team relay, 8km and kids marathon races taking part from 35 countries. Thomas Omwenga, originally from Kenya, won the full marathon for men for the second year in a row, and the 2008 female full marathon winner was Mary Akor, from California. 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 the 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 that passion. Since the inception of this sponsorship, BMO has managed a well-recognized program called the BMO Community Hero of the Game, which recognizes someone at each Leafs home game for the good work they do in their community. In addition to this, the BMO Ultimate Fan Contest boasts a road trip with the team as its grand prize.

Toronto Raptors
BMO is very proud to call itself the “Official Bank of the Toronto Raptors” as well as its official season sponsor. Since the inception of this sponsorship, BMO has managed a well-recognized program called the BMO Community Hero of the Game, which recognizes someone at each Raptors home game for the good work they do in their community. BMO Ultimate Fan is another contest that boasts a road trip with the team as its grand prize.

Toronto Marlies
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be a sponsor of the Toronto Marlies. This American Hockey League team provides a family-friendly environment and a great exhibition of skill and talent for the fans. 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. BMO Champions of the Game is an ongoing promotion which recognizes a different community hockey team at each Marlies home game.

National Hockey League Alumni
In 2007, BMO became the presenting sponsor of the 2007-08 NHL Alumni Hockey Tour, which visited approximately 25 cities across Ontario. The tour included many hockey greats including Wendel Clarke, Mark Napier, and Stan Jonathan.

 

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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