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BMO Announces 2024 Celebrating Women Grant Program Recipients to Support Canadian Women-Owned Businesses

October 2, 2024 | Diversity, equity and inclusion, Financial inclusion

BMO, in collaboration with Deloitte Canada, today announced the 2024 recipients of its Celebrating Women Grant Program. For the fourth time, BMO awarded $100,000 in grants to ten Canadian women-owned businesses – empowering them to make real financial progress.

“Women-owned businesses continue to drive change in their industries and BMO is committed to helping power their progress. By supporting women-owned businesses, we advance economic growth, innovation and sustainable initiatives. Each of these impressive recipients demonstrated a commitment to driving economic impact and contributing to their communities.”

– Sharon Haward-Laird
General Counsel, BMO, and Executive Sponsor of BMO for Women

“The BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program provides critical funding to female entrepreneurs throughout Canada and the U.S. and helps incredible women-owned businesses bravely take risks, fuel thriving businesses and drive innovation and productivity. I am truly humbled by the grit and determination of these women, who are raising the bar to new heights. Congratulations to all of the participants and finalists of this amazing program!”

– Emmy Babalola
Partner, Deloitte Canada

The 2024 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program recipients are:

Each grant recipient will be awarded $10,000, receive support from a BMO business advisor, and receive an invitation to attend a summit in Toronto. The summit will give recipients an opportunity to meet BMO leaders and partners and gain access to additional tailored resources to support their business’ financial progress. 

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. So far, it has supported 56 women-owned businesses across North America, providing more than $500,000 to the program’s grant recipients and connecting them to business advisors and a vibrant professional network.

BMO has a longstanding commitment to breaking down barriers to advance women’s empowerment, advocate for their growth, and foster inclusivity 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 WMNfintech program. As North America’s largest nonprofit fintech accelerator focused on women-founded and women-led startups, WMNfintech is a catalyst for change, helping women entrepreneurs drive innovation and make a tangible impact in financial services.
  • 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 and the United States, while aiming to help address inequalities in literary reviewing, reading and prize culture.

To learn more about the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, visit bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using #BMOforWomen.

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