- $150,000 in grants will
be awarded to 12 women-owned businesses in Canada
- Applications open September 26, 2022 and
close October 17, 2022
- Grant recipients will be announced in March 2023
TORONTO, Sept. 21,
2022 /CNW/ - BMO Financial Group, in collaboration
with Deloitte Canada, today announced the continuation of its
BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
pledging $150,000 in grants to support the high-level
growth plans of 12 women-owned businesses across Canada.
Among banks in Canada, BMO has
led the way by establishing a dedicated bank-wide program for
women. With a decades-long commitment to removing barriers to
women's empowerment, championing the advancement of women, and
promoting an inclusive market, BMO has taken a close look at
women's unique needs and created programs and initiatives that are
important to them. BMO understands that the future depends on
empowering more women.
Through the longest-standing, bank-led recognition program for
women in North America – BMO
Celebrating Women – and inspired by our Purpose, to Boldly Grow
the Good in business and in life, including our commitment
to double support for women-led businesses, BMO is inviting women
business owners to share their high-level business growth plans and
apply for one of 12 grants:
- one grant of $20,000 CAD
- four grants of $15,000 CAD
- seven grants of $10,000 CAD
In addition to these grants, BMO offers a comprehensive package
to all recipients that includes an exclusive webinar series focused
on business growth, the opportunity to join certain organizations
and/or advisory boards, a profile on bmoforwomen.com, and a BMO
Celebrating Women Grant Recipient social badge.
Applications open September 26, 2022 and close October
17, 2022.
"Through the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, we
continue to drive our commitment to close the funding gap and
provide meaningful capital to women business owners," said
Christine Cooper, Head, Canadian
Commercial Banking. "This year, we are recognizing women-owned
businesses that are boldly growing their businesses and, in turn,
strengthening the Canadian economy. We are proud to offer these
grants and remove barriers for women-owned businesses and help
those already leading positive change in their communities to grow
the good."
"Women-owned businesses are a driving force of the Canadian
economy, and by providing these entrepreneurs and leaders with
access to capital today, we're ensuring the prosperity of their
businesses and our global competitiveness," said Linda Blair, Chief Experience Officer, Deloitte
Canada. "We're pleased to be working with BMO on this initiative,
not only to support women in business, but to inspire others, and
we look forward to its positive impact for generations to
come."
To assist with the grant recipient selection process, BMO is
collaborating with strategic partners to form this
year's Advisory Panel of Judges.
BMO has a long history of programs and partnerships to support
and empower women:
- Earmarked $5 billion in capital
over five years to women entrepreneurs in 2022, building on the
commitment of $2 billion in 2014 and
$3 billion in 2018.
- Committed $1.2 million in funding
to Coralus (formerly SheEO), a not-for-profit company which offers
financial support to businesses led by women-identifying and
non-binary people. BMO's financial commitment allowed Coralus to
fund all 2021 venture applicant companies working to achieve the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Launched a $750 million Women in Business Bond
solution with proceeds being allocated toward women-owned
enterprises as defined in BMO's Sustainable Financing Framework,
including micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
- Set new diversity goals for senior leader and executive roles
through its Zero Barriers to Inclusion 2025 strategy, including
maintaining its leadership in gender diversity with at least 40 per
cent of senior leader roles filled by employees who identify as
women.
To learn more about the Canadian Grant Program,
visit bmoforwomen.com.
About BMO for Women
BMO is committed to supporting initiatives that empower women
within its workforce and the communities the bank serves. BMO has
partnered with organizations such as the Women Presidents
Organization, GroYourBiz, Women Business Enterprises, and Women Get
On Board to provide expertise, leadership, knowledge, and
opportunities for women to network and learn. In 2022, BMO
announced $5 billion in capital available over five
years specifically for Canadian businesses owned by women. Through
the BMO-owned recognition program for women in North America – BMO Celebrating Women –
BMO celebrates the accomplishments of women who have given back to
their communities or achieved success in business. Since 2012,
BMO Celebrating Women has honoured more than 240 women in
communities across Canada and
the United States.
About BMO Financial
Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly
diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest
bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets
of $1.07 trillion as of July 31, 2022, and a team of
diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of
personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment
banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and
conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and
Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital
Markets.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial
advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and
private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four
out of five Fortune Global 500® companies through a globally
connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and
territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and
service to address clients' most complex business challenges.
Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited
liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee,
and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally
separate and independent entity. Please see
www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal
structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member
firms.
Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte
Canada, that translates into building a better future by
accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can
achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way,
serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion,
and collaborate for measurable impact.
To learn more about Deloitte's approximately 330,000
professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm,
please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or
Facebook.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group