Fifteen women-owned businesses across the United States have received $10,000 grants through BMO’s 2026 Celebrating Women grant programme as small business owners continue to face challenges accessing capital and growth support. In an interview with Charity Journal, BMO said the initiative will support long-term business growth through continued mentorship and coaching rather than one-time funding alone.
BMO pairs grants with long-term business support
BMO awarded a total of $150,000 to entrepreneurs operating in industries ranging from healthcare and education to consulting, food, and wellness. Beyond the grants, recipients will receive business coaching, networking opportunities, workshops, and access to industry experts.
BMO disclosed that it measures success beyond the initial grants by maintaining relationships with recipients as their businesses grow.
“We maintain ongoing communication with recipients to understand their progress and track outcomes such as business growth, hiring activity, and community impact,” Denisse Pachuca, Senior Regional Manager at BMO, told Charity Journal. “Many recipients also continue to engage with BMO through other programs, initiatives, and banking relationships.”
The bank said the combination of capital and advisory support is intended to help entrepreneurs launch new products, expand into new markets, and create jobs within their communities.
Access to financing remains one of the biggest obstacles facing women-owned businesses despite their growing contribution to local economies. Many entrepreneurs report greater difficulty securing growth capital than their male counterparts, particularly during expansion stages when businesses require larger investments.
Grant programmes have increasingly shifted from providing financial awards alone to offering mentorship and technical support alongside funding. Business advisers say founders often need strategic guidance, industry connections, and operational expertise as much as access to capital.
BMO said its programme reflects that broader approach by pairing recipients with advisers who can provide practical support beyond the initial funding period.
Advisor matching aims to meet founders’ business needs
Asked how advisers are matched with recipients, BMO told Charity Journal that the process considers each entrepreneur’s location, business maturity, revenue, and industry.
“We prioritise factors such as geographic location, business stage, revenue size, and industry expertise to help ensure grant recipients are paired with mentors who can offer relevant insights and meaningful guidance,” Pachuca told Charity Journal.
The bank said matching founders with advisers who understand local market conditions and sector-specific challenges helps create more practical coaching relationships. Those connections, BMO said, are intended to help business owners develop strategies that support sustainable growth long after the grant funding has been spent.
As competition for small business capital continues to intensify, programmes that combine funding with long-term mentorship are becoming an increasingly important source of support for entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses and create jobs.