$500,000 Donation from BMO Financial Group for the Old Brewery Mission Foundation

Matthew Pearce, President and CEO, Old Brewery Mission , Eric Maldoff, President, board of directors, Old Brewery Old Brewery Mission, L. Jacques Ménard, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec, BMO Nesbitt Burns board of directors, Louis Audet, President, 2014-2020 Major Fundraising Campagne and Michel Boucher, President, board of directors, Old Brewery Mission Foundation.

A Leadership Donation

The Old Brewery Mission Foundation acknowledges the unprecedented support of BMO Financial Group for its major fundraising campaign. This $500,000 cheque represents BMO’s Leadership donation.

The objective of this major fundraising campaign is to raise $26 million from private source between now and 2020. Louis Audet, President and CEO of Cogeco and Chair of the Campaign Committee, has invested time and energy to put an end to homelessness. “In the time that I have been involved with the Old Brewery Mission, I’ve been deeply touched by the remarkable generosity of Montréal’s business community, including BMO Financial Group, in dealing with the issue of chronic homelessness in Montréal. The funds raised will play a critical role in putting an end to homelessness as we know it today,” explained Mr. Audet.

Putting an End to Homelessness

The $500,000 donation will be used to support the Old Brewery Mission’s programs and services, thereby ensuring the sustainability of urban mental and physical health services adapted for the homeless, transition programs, community support and affordable housing, so that individuals who come to the emergency shelter can find a home. “The exemplary work of the Old Brewery Mission Foundation in the community motivates us to get involved and contribute as we are able to the wellbeing of our society,” noted L. Jacques Ménard, President of BMO Financial Group, Québec, and Chairman of the Board of BMO Nesbitt Burns. “This mobilization drive resonates deeply with our corporate values of being close to the community. We are convinced that, through its ongoing programs and services, the Old Brewery Mission will contribute to putting an end to homelessness for many citizens.”

Exceptional Support

“The exceptional support of BMO Financial Group, Québec, enables the Mission not only to ensure continuity of its programs but also to improve community outreach services to the homeless. This means that we can significantly increase our presence with a vulnerable client group in great need of support and care.  For all these reasons, we are extremely grateful,” mentioned Matthew Pearce, President and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission.

“Thanks to the unwavering support of Montréal’s business community, we can envisage an end to chronic homelessness. As the face of homelessness changes, we are responding. This support will enable us to adapt our programs for homeless women and men and guide them towards social reintegration and dignity,” added lawyer Eric Maldoff, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Old Brewery Mission.