💼 Annual Grant Program 2026

BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

Annual grant program from BMO Bank of Montreal and Deloitte providing $10,000 grants to women-owned small businesses in Canada and the United States. Includes BMO business advisor support, workshops, seminars, and comprehensive resources to help businesses make real financial progress. Applications open August 5-19, 2026 for the 2026 program.

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🚀 BMO Celebrating Women 2026 Program Highlights

Application Window: August 5-19, 2026 (8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET)

Grant Amount: $10,000 per recipient (15 grants total)

Geographic Coverage: All Canadian provinces + 24 U.S. states

Program Impact: Over $750,000 awarded across North America since inception

Boldly Growing the Good in Business and Life

BMO, in collaboration with Deloitte, created the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program as part of its commitment to supporting the advancement of women. Since launching in Canada in 2020 and the U.S. in 2021, the program has awarded over $750,000 to women-owned businesses, providing not just financial support but comprehensive business advisory and resources.

$10K

Grant Amount

Annual Recipients

$750K+

Total Awarded

Annual

August Program

BMO Celebrating Women Grant Package

$10,000 Grant Funding

Financial Support

Award Amount:$10,000

• Fifteen grants awarded annually (15 total)

• Direct financial support for business growth

• No repayment required (true grant funding)

• Flexible use for business expansion needs

Grant Use Cases

Business Growth: New products, services, or markets

Women Advancement: Support women's health, safety, education

Products/Services: Designed for women and girls

Mentorship: Financial literacy, skills training programs

BMO Business Advisor Support

Expert Guidance

Service Type:Personalized Advisory

• Dedicated BMO business advisor access

• Personalized business growth guidance

• Financial planning and strategy support

• Ongoing consultation throughout grant period

Advisory Benefits

Business Strategy: Growth planning and execution

Financial Management: Cash flow and budgeting

Market Expansion: New market entry strategies

Operational Efficiency: Process optimization

Workshops, Seminars & Resources

Educational Programs

Access:BMO Events & Resources

Grant recipients receive access to BMO-hosted workshops, business seminars, networking events, and educational resources designed to accelerate business growth and financial progress.

Additional Support

Workshops: Business skills development training

Seminars: Industry insights and best practices

Networking: Connect with other women entrepreneurs

Memberships: Potential organization/advisory board access

Eligibility Requirements

Canadian Business Requirements

Women-Owned: Business must be 51%+ owned by one or more women

Canadian Resident: Legal age of majority in province/territory

For-Profit: Registered for-profit business in good standing

Revenue: $5 million CAD or less in annual revenues

Operating History: At least 2 years selling product/service by August 5, 2026

U.S. Business Requirements

Women-Owned: 51%+ owned by one or more women

Physical Location: In one of 24 eligible U.S. states (BMO footprint)

For-Profit: Annual revenues of $5 million USD or less

Good Standing: Registered and in good standing in jurisdiction

Operating History: At least 2 years in operation by August 5, 2026

Important Eligibility Notes

• Previous Winners: Not eligible to reapply
• BMO Account: Not required (no impact on selection)
• Women Advancement: Must demonstrate commitment

• Sanctions: No government sanctions on owner/business
• U.S. States: 24 states in BMO footprint eligible
• All Provinces: All Canadian provinces eligible

Application Process

Step 1: Complete Application

Submit online at www.bmoforwomen.com with business details and growth plans

Step 2: Semi-Finalist Video

If selected, create short video about business (notified September 2026)

Step 3: Winner Announcement

Final recipients announced and receive grant package benefits

📅 2026 Program Timeline

• Applications Open: August 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM ET
• Applications Close: August 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
• Application Window: 2 weeks only

• Semi-Finalists: Notified September 2026
• No Edits: Once submitted, cannot be changed
• No Save Draft: Complete in one session

Application Components

Required Information

Business Details: Name, location, revenue, industry, operating history

Owner Information: Demographics, contact information, eligibility verification

Women Advancement: How business supports advancement of women/girls

Growth Plans: High-level business growth objectives and strategies

Essay Questions

Impact Statement: Detail how business supports women advancement

Growth Strategy: Plans to expand business with grant funding

Challenges: Obstacles business may encounter and how to overcome

Growth Goals: Quantifiable metrics and how grant helps achieve them

Application Success Strategies

✅ Winning Application Tips

Clear Women Impact: Articulate specific ways business advances women/girls

Detailed Growth Plan: Provide concrete, realistic business expansion strategies

Quantifiable Goals: Include specific metrics and measurable objectives

Complete in One Session: No save draft - prepare answers externally first

❌ Common Application Mistakes

Vague Women Connection: Not clearly explaining how business advances women

Generic Growth Plans: Lacking specific details and realistic timelines

Missing Word Limits: Exceeding character/word count requirements

Incomplete Application: Starting without preparing answers externally first

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