Bank of Montreal 2000 Annual Report Download - page 17

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We continue to be a major sponsor of
Skate Canada. Through this relationship with
Canada’s governing body for figure skating,
we support young skaters who aspire to
be national and international competitors.
At the same time, by sponsoring the
CanSkate program, we provide an opportu-
nity for thousands of novice skaters to
take to the ice in their home communities.
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We contributed $500,000 to the Volunteer
Grants program, an initiative that supports
the volunteer activities of our employees
and pensioners. The program provides
financial assistance for local initiatives such
as food banks, women’s shelters and teen
drop-in centres.
Bank of Montreal Group of Companies Annual Review 2000 ■13
Getting it Right in the Community
We are privileged at the Bank of Montreal Group of Companies to be partners with
the communities in which we serve. We understand that by being actively and
generously involved in the greater community, we help make our neighbourhoods,
towns, cities and nations healthier and stronger. Strong and healthy communities
are good for our customers and employees —and for our business.
At Bank of Montreal, we have a long
history of “getting it right” with the
communities in which we do business.
Over the years, we have provided
significant funding to thousands of
community organizations and ini-
tiatives, ranging from national
charities and universities to local
arts programs and children’s
sports teams. One of Canada’s top
corporate donors, the Bank has
truly helped to make a difference.
In2000,wecontinuedtobuildontra-
dition. Overall, the Bank of Montreal
Group of Companies contributed
$19.8 million to charities and not-
for-profit organizations last year.
At the same time, we supported our
communities through a wide array
of sponsorship programs.
Here are some examples of the
year’s activities:
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In Quebec, we donated $95,000 to EPOC,
a program that provides counseling and
training to economically, academically
and socially challenged youth. Launched in
1970 by Bank of Montreal, EPOC has helped
more than 3,500 disadvantaged young
people become independent, contributing
members of society.
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Our ongoing commitments to hospitals and
health care charities over the next five
years amount to $11.4 million. Our contribu-
tions included a commitment of $500,000
toward the campaign to build a new and
much-needed children’s hospital in Calgary.
It’s expected that the state-of-the-art
Alberta Children’s Hospital will be in opera-
tion by 2005.
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Kids Help Phone is Canada’s national toll-
free bilingual counseling and referral service
for children and youth. We are the exclusive
sponsor of Kids Help Phone Student
Ambassador and Community Ambassador
programs. In communities across Canada,
Kids Help Phone Ambassadors – high school
students and adult volunteers – help raise
funds as well as awareness of Kids Help
Phone. Many of our employees support this
unique organization as volunteers.
Where the Money Goes
Hospitals/Health care 20.4%
Culture 10.7%
Miscellaneous 16.9 %
Education 22.7%
Civic causes/Community 14. 4 %
(such as YMCA)
Federated appeals 14. 9 %
(such as United Way)
Where Profits* Go
Government taxes and levies 42%
Dividends to shareholders 19 %
*Net income before taxes, levies and goodwill
Reinvested in the business 39%
[bmo.com/community]
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We also continued to support our commu-
nities by providing free banking services to
425,000 youths and students, 550,000 seniors
and 55,000 not-for-profit organizations
last year.
At Bank of Montreal, “getting it
right” with the community remains a
business imperative —and a source
of deep pride.