Bank of Montreal 2004 Annual Report Download - page 18

BMO Financial Group Annual Report 200414
Community
We take pride in our centuries-old tradition of accountability
to and partnership with our communities. By serving as an active
and involved partner in the places we operate, we make
our business and our communities stronger, our futures brighter .
Donations: Where the Money Goes (2004)
Federated Appeals 18%
(includes United Way)
Education 15.5%
Health 25%
Arts and Culture 12.5%
Civic/Community Initiatives 15%
(such as YMCA)
Other 14%
Celebrating Promising Artists
BMO Financial Group’s 1st Art! Invita-
tional Student Art Competition celebrated
the creativity and promise of art students
graduating from post-secondary
institu tions across Canada. Deans and
instructors were asked to submit their
best student works, and a distinguished
selection committee then chose a
national winner, along with one winner
from each eligible province and territory,
from 126 entrants. University of Victoria
graduate and 1st Art! national winner
Matt Shane and the 13 regional winners
demonstrate the talent of the next
generation of Canadian artists.
Centre Stage
At a gala in October, Jillian Keiley,
a theatrical director based in St. John’s,
Newfoundland, was presented with the
2004 Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize
in Theatre, which is sponsored by BMO.
The $100,000 prize, the largest in
Canadian theatre, is awarded in a three-
year cycle to a director, playwright or
designer who has made a significant
contribution to theatre in Canada.
Skating Partners
In 2004, we announced the renewal
of BMO’s long-standing partnership
with Skate Canada for an additional
six years. Whether we’re helping
to develop young skaters through
the CanSkate
®
6
Learn to Skate program
or elite skaters competing at the inter-
national level, BMO’s passion for figure
skating remains crystal clear.
Harris: A Pillar of the Community
In June 2004, the United Way of Metro-
politan Chicago recognized Harris with
a Community Pillar Award in the area
of Leadership Giving. Harris is one of the
Business Overview
$37million
In 2004, BMO contributed more than
$37 million in corporate donations,
sponsorships and events, supporting
communities, charities and not-
for-profit organizations in Canada
and the United States.
$6.7million
As part of our continuing investment in
learning, BMO committed $6.7 million
in new funding over the next 10 years
to 14 universities across Canada.
Helping Kids in Need
BMO and our employees contributed
more than $500,000 to Kids Help Phone
®
5
(KHP), Canada’s only 24-hour toll-free
anonymous bilingual help line for
children and youth. And we continued
to be the principal sponsor of the
KHP Community and KHP Student
Ambassador programs.
Canadian Red Cross Mosaik MasterCard
BMO Bank of Montreal and the Canadian
Red Cross (CRC) teamed up to launch
a new affinity credit card. “This new
Canadian Red Cross Mosaik MasterCard
will provide our donors with a conve-
nient and efficient way to support our
vital work in Canadian communities,”
said Conrad Sauvé, National Director
of Fund Development at CRC.
For many more examples of our commitment
to our communities, please see our
Corporate Social Responsibility Report
including our Public Accountability Statement
online at www.bmo.com/community.
health and human services organization’s
largest corporate benefactors and, with
its employees, contributed a total of
US$1.6 million for the charitable organi-
zation last year. In addition, our Harris
Nesbitt trading desk participated in
Trade For Hope, donating US$700,000
in commissions to the American
Cancer Society.
Employee Volunteers
Thousands of BMO and Harris executives
and employees are active volunteers
within their communities, giving gener-
ously of their time and energy. Many
contribute through BMO Fountain of
Hope®(FoH), a national charitable founda-
tion managed by BMO Financial Group
employees. In 2004, our employees raised
a record $7.2 million through FoH for more
than 2,300 organizations across Canada.
Best 50 Corporate Citizens
Once again, BMO was recognized by
Corporate Knights as one of Canada’s
Best 50 Corporate Citizens, ranking
sixth overall and first among our peers
in the financial services industry.