Corporate giving

BMO proudly supports charitable initiatives in the communities where we operate through donations and sponsorship programs. We embrace the diversity of people’s social needs, ideas and interests, and therefore we distribute our contributions over a broad range of initiatives, including education, health, arts and culture, community development and sports and athletics.

Donations:

In Canada, BMO donates only to non-profit organizations that are designated as registered charities by Canada Customs & Revenue Agency. Funding requests are reviewed by our Corporate Donations Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis. The Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, BMO Financial Group is the most senior position with responsibility for donations in Canada.

In the U.S., Harris has dedicated Community Affairs teams that coordinate corporate giving with local community organizations in the various geographical areas it serves. The Senior Vice-President, Community Affairs and Economic Development, BMO Harris Bank is the most senior position with responsibility for donations in the U.S.

How to apply for a donation in Canada

How to apply for a donation in the U.S.

For a list of donations made in Canada in 2010, click here.

Harris also provides capital and financial expertise for communities through the Harris Community Investments Group. To learn more about partnering with the Community Investments Group or to present a qualified investment for consideration, go to Community Investment.

Disaster Relief

BMO provides support to the victims of natural disasters through corporate giving and employee-matched donations. We also support customer donations by waiving fees or charges for sending drafts or fund transfers for a specified period, and accepting donations at all of our branches. To ensure our donations will have the most impact, we support fundraising appeals by organizations such as the Red Cross Red Cross, which coordinates with local, national and international responders.

Disaster relief in the U.S.

Highlights:
1. BMO Financial Group 1st 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.

2. Community Reinvestment Act:
As part of our commitment to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), Harris gave 54 community development loans in 2010, totalling over $76 million. The CRA provides a framework for financial institutions, state and local governments and community organizations to promote banking services to all members of a community, including residents of low- and moderate-income neighbourhoods.

3. Community Account:
BMO provides low-cost and free banking services to almost 60,000 local not-for-profit associations and groups, including societies, lodges, church groups, Scouts and Guides, sports and business clubs and local chapters of national non-profit organizations.

4. Harris’ Tutoring Programs
For many years, Harris has been a partner in the City of Chicago’s Working in the Schools (WITS) program, a tutoring and mentoring program that supports the education and development of children in Chicago Public Schools. Learn more

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