BMO Celebrating Women program
Through this foundational program, we recognize key contributions, provide greater access to capital, and build strong communities for women in business.
The BMO Celebrating Women Grant
The BMO Celebrating Women grant program was launched as a way to ensure that women-owned businesses received the resources and attention they needed to thrive. Since its inaugural year, the grant has supported a multitude of women-owned businesses across North America, and within various sectors and industries.
We’re thrilled to invite businesses to apply for one of several grants to help them further their impact and empower more growth. To be eligible for a grant, you must:
Be a business that is at least 51% or more owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who self-identify as women, non-binary individual(s), or trans women
The business must be for-profit, and must be currently active and operating in Canada or the U.S. (conditions apply)
The business may not be a previous BMO Celebrating Women Grant recipient
Please read full Terms & Conditions before applying.
Application Process
Ready to apply? Select your country to view the correct application process and get started. Please note that there are separate applications and timelines for Canadian business-owners and American business-owners.
Complete an online application with general information about yourself and your business.
If you’re selected as a semifinalist, we’ll ask you to create a short video.
Canada applications open in the Spring
Complete an online application with general information about yourself and your business.
If you’re selected as a semifinalist, we’ll ask you to create a short video.
Stay tuned for USA application dates and deadlines.
Grant FAQs
Questions? You’ve come to the right place.
The application itself requires basic information about the business owner(s) and the business. Each applicant must also answer a series of short questions detailing the sustainability impacts that have been incorporated into their business, as well as the quantifiable impact(s) their business is having.
There is a 3-stage, evaluation process whereby a Panel of Judges will review each application submitted based on weighted criteria. For more information, please refer to the Official Terms and Conditions.
Applicants will be notified of their status by email after each round of the judging process.
Finalists will be contacted by email and by phone.
Introducing the 2024 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Recipients
Anne Mulaire Designs
Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Anne Mulaire Designs is a Certified B Corporation. Their sustainable business framework is centered around on-demand production, a resale market and repair services.
AV Marketing Inc.
AV Marketing CEO, Aashima Verma, is committed to creating job opportunities for skilled and talented newcomers to Canada and other underrepresented groups. This is a full-service organization, with experience in social media, graphic design and ad copy.
Bo | Reusable Packaging
Servicing Quebec’s food industry, Bo | Reusable Packaging provide restaurants with QR branded packaging. After their use, consumers return these containers at drop-off locations. The Bo team then collects, sanitizes and returns them back into the system.
Bonbon Collections Inc.
Thao Nguyen founded Bonbon Collections with the belief that everyone deserves to enjoy gourmet desserts and sweets that excite the senses – all their offerings are vegan, gluten-free and free from the top ten major allergens, no one is left out.
Cooks Who Feed
Cooks Who Feed is a kitchen textiles company that revolves around the “give-back” model. Each product sold provides meals to alleviate hunger in underserved communities and safe, fair-trade work for marginalized craftswomen.
Helius Originals LTD.
Helius Originals uses materials destined for landfills and makes original, luxury products. By diverting waste and upcycling it, Bilqees Grant and her co-founder, are reducing the “garbage” that contributes to ill-health within neighbouring communities.
LYP Program Inc.
The Live Your Potential (LYP) Program empowers and educates women from across multiple intersections. The goal of the program’s founders is to enhance leadership capabilities, advance professional skills and bolster strong networks.
Nature Bee
With the express purpose of reducing plastic consumption and household waste, Nature Bee has become a full-blown eco-friendly home goods business, adding cleaning detergents and dishcloths to their original line-up of reusable beeswax wraps.
Sparkle & Sheen
Sparkle & Sheen is more than just a “cleaning service”. It’s a company committed to producing and using biodegradable, ecologically safe cleaners for her team, thereby reducing the amount of harmful chemicals entering the environment.
WACADS Group Inc.
Liz Cripps launched WACADS Group to ensure that technology would never hold back a small enterprise from competing with larger organizations. WACADS Group offers AI-driven products and tailored digital services to help businesses reach the next level.
We’re proud that our BMO Celebrating Women Grant also supports women-owned businesses in the U.S. Learn more about these 15 inspiring innovators who are making a difference in their communities!
BMO Celebrating Women
It is equally important to recognize trailblazing women who have made significant impacts to their community. Through a nomination process, we actively try to identify, recognize, and celebrate women’s accomplishments through intimate regional celebrations.