BMO Capital Markets will donate $1.5 million (US$1.4 million) to nine charities across North America through its annual Equity Through Education charitable program, the firm said Friday.

The funds were raised on September 23 through commissions earned on all institutional equity trades executed by BMO Capital Markets in Canada and the United States. The money will go to select charities that seek to improve access to education and training for people across all diversity groups.

“This is a fantastic result for an outstanding cause,” says Mike Miller, head of equity products, BMO Capital Markets and campaign chair of the special trading day. “These funds will play an integral part this year in helping talented individuals pursue life changing opportunities. In this spirit, we thank our clients for stepping up and making this program successful,” adds Miller.

“Since 2005, Equity Through Education has raised a total of $8.1 million ($7.4 million) dollars, assisting more than 2,000 individuals who have directly benefited through scholarships, bursaries and other educational programs.

The nine charities that BMO Capital Markets supports through Equity Through Education are:

• Youth in Motion’s Top 20 Under 20 Program;
• Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation (CMSF);
• The Financial Women’s Association;
• Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY);
• The Jackie Robinson Foundation;
• National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation;
• The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS);
• The Pathways to Education Program; and
• YAI Network.

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Equity Through Education website

http://www.bmocm.com/equitythrougheducation