BMO announces $1 million commitment to support affordable housing preservation and health equity in California

As our footprint grows, we’re delivering on our Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Today, BMO announced two grants totaling $1 million to support affordable housing preservation and health equity in our new California markets. Two organizations, Enterprise Community Partners (ECP) and Direct Relief will each receive $500,000 to support building preservation and resilience, and community healthcare access in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.

These donations are part of BMO EMpower 2.0, our Community Benefits Plan which includes an over $40 billion commitment to local communities in the U.S. Over $16 billion of the plan is allotted for our expanded footprint in California.

“As BMO enters new markets in California, our Purpose is to create a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society,” said Kimberley Goode, Chief Communications and Social Impact Officer, BMO. “We are proud to support the valuable work that Enterprise Community Partners and Direct Relief are leading to help the people of California make progress.”

$500,000 to Enterprise Community Partners:

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that works to increase housing supply, advance racial equity and promote upward mobility in the U.S. by building, preserving and managing thousands of homes for over 20,000 residents. BMO’s grant will support the organization’s Preservation Next program, which promotes affordable housing preservation work in Northern and Southern California with a goal to accelerate the preservation of 100-150 affordable homes in the region.

Since 1982, the organization has invested $64 billion and created 951,000 homes across the U.S.

$500,000 to Direct Relief:

Over the past 20 years, severe weather has doubled in the United States, creating an increased need for community-based disaster relief. Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization that works to equip health professionals and resource-poor communities to meet the challenges of diagnosing and caring for people in need during disasters. As vulnerable communities prepare for more frequent and destructive emergencies, Direct Relief responds to ensure the availability of quick, effective and efficient medical resources.

“We are so appreciative of the partnership with BMO and Direct Relief’s Power for Health for Marin Community Clinics’ solar roofing project in Novato. This is a tremendous boost to our health center’s Green Initiative. While climate change affects everyone, we know that our low-income community members suffer the most from pollution and weather emergencies.”

– Leigha Andrews
Interim CEO of Marin Community Clinics

BMO’s grant will support Direct Relief’s Power for Health initiative, a nationwide project that will allow health centers and free clinics to be more resilient to climate change. Two community centers that treat the medically underserved, the Marin Community Clinic in Novato and the UMMA Community Clinic in Los Angeles, will receive financial assistance. These clinics are focused on treating patients who are predominantly low-income and may either use Medicaid or have no insurance at all.  As the first corporate sponsor with the largest grant, our support will help Direct Relief provide cost savings for the facilities, carbon offset to ensure environmental sustainability and improve equitable community access to healthcare.

To find out more on these two centers, explore Direct Relief’s U.S. Aid map.

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