- Total of
$100,000 in grants will be awarded to ten women-owned businesses that address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). - Applications open from
April 30 to May 14, 2024 .
BMO is pledging a total of
Applications are open from
"Women-owned businesses are a cornerstone in a thriving economy and the drivers of real change as challengers of the status quo, innovators and leaders for the next generation," said
"Empowering women-owned businesses is essential to driving innovation and economic growth. By investing in these entrepreneurs and providing critical access to capital, we are securing the prosperity of their businesses and bolstering our global competitiveness," said
Inspired by BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, and the bank's commitment to double support for women-owned businesses, the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program was created in 2020. Within four years, the program has expanded to reach a diverse range of sectors and industries. It has supported 56 women-owned businesses across
BMO has a longstanding commitment to breaking down barriers to advance women's empowerment, advocate for their growth, and foster inclusivity within the market by meeting their unique needs. Notable initiatives include:
- A commitment to increase the number of women-owned businesses supported across the bank's Canadian footprint. As of 2023, BMO supported more than 146,000 women-owned businesses in
Canada , with more than$10 billion in loans. - Established customer programs including BMO for Women, which focus on advancing gender parity for the bank's clients, supporting the growth of women-owned businesses, and empowering women to feel confident about their finances and financial futures.
- A partnership with 1871, which has led to the development of the WMN FINtech program. Since its inception in 2018, over 15 per cent of all women fintech founders in
North America have come through this initiative. - Proudly supporting The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, the largest English-language literary award in the world for women and non-binary writers. The award celebrates creativity and excellence in fiction in
Canada andthe United States , while aiming to help address inequalities in literary reviewing, reading and prize culture. - For the fourth consecutive year, BMO has been recognized in the 2024 Report on Business, Women Lead Here list – an annual benchmark recognizing Canadian businesses with the highest achievement for executive gender diversity.
To learn more about the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, visit www.bmoforwomen.com.
About BMO for Women
Officially launched in 2016, the BMO for Women program is dedicated to empowering women in business through tailored resources, community building and improved access to capital. In addition to the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, this program oversees a nationwide group of Advocates – Commercial and Business Banking Relationship Managers trained and committed to working with women business owners and entrepreneurs. This team is augmented further through partnerships with key organizations such as the
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About Deloitte
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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.
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