Supporting employee activities

• Volunteer Grants Program
• Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Foundation

BMO encourages and supports employees as they devote their time, energy and passion to giving back. That’s why we provide opportunities to do charitable work during business hours. We also augment employees’ personal contributions through The Volunteer Grants Program and Matching Gifts Program.

Beyond the benefits to our communities, our support for employees’ efforts has a positive impact on our organization. Through volunteer work, employees gain opportunities for personal growth, developing strength in leadership, team-building and creative thinking. These positive experiences boost workplace morale, and help deepen engagement across BMO. Employees can also use the skills they’ve gained at BMO to help advance the goals of charitable organizations.

In the U.S., BMO Harris Bank has a long history of actively supporting the community. BMO Harris Bank volunteers are passionate and committed and give many hours of their time to support our communities. Learn about BMO Harris Bank in the community here.

Highlights

1. Volunteer Grants Program:
In 2011, the Volunteer Grants Program contributed $445,630 to charities and not-for-profit organizations supported by BMO employees.

2. Matching Gift Program for Higher Education:
In 2011, BMO matched $174,967 in donations made by employees, pensioners and directors to eligible post-secondary institutions through our Matching Gift Program for Higher Education.

3. Addressing the challenges of Poverty
Poverty is not simply an economic issue. It impacts public health, education, opportunities for youth, community stability – virtually every indicator of social well-being and prosperity. Over the past year, we have increased our efforts to help break the cycle of poverty, particularly in areas where the effects of the recent global downturn were felt most deeply.

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Volunteer Grants Program

We recognize and support the volunteer efforts of our employees through our Volunteer Grants Program, which provides funds to organizations supported by permanent and pensioned BMO Financial Group employees.

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to both large and small organizations across a variety of areas including education, health, arts and culture, civic and community, and sports and athletics. Although our support is broadly based, we focus on assisting organizations and initiatives that encourage and facilitate learning.

Matching Gifts Program

BMO has a special interest in supporting employees who share our passion for learning. Our Matching Gift Program for Higher Education provides matching funding for eligible donations made by employees, pensioners and directors, helping to ensure that our institutions of higher learning are both excellent and accessible.

Employees may designate their own donation for a specific purpose, such as a scholarship or building fund. However, BMO’s matching gift will not be targeted and institutions are free to use the additional funding as they wish.

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