For a fifth consecutive year, the Allegra FootPRINT Fund will award up to $20,000 of in-kind services to nonprofit organizations and associations seeking assistance to complete marketing plans, graphic design work or basic printing of material for new initiatives otherwise without a budget. New for 2012 is an opportunity to be the recipient of Allegra’s exclusive Brand Builder ; a program designed to define, differentiate and propel your brand forward.

Allegra FootPRINT Awards“Providing community support is an important goal at Allegra” says Vice President Gasper Lipari, “and the FootPRINT Fund was created to provide a means of helping local organizations receive assistance in an area that may not be addressed by other funding sources.”

Celebrating its 15th year in business this year, Allegra launched the FootPRINT Fund as part of its Community Care Campaign, a North American wide effort supported by the company’s franchise headquarters, Allegra Network. The FootPRINT Fund was developed to help unite and strengthen local communities by assisting eligible nonprofit organizations and associations in building their awareness and increasing local support. Dozens of local nonprofit organizations, such as Temple Anshe Sholom, Special Olympics, Dundas Museum and Archives, Saltfleet Figure Skating, Mountain Kidz, and Catholic Family Services to name a few, have benefited over the years by applying to FootPRINT Fund and receiving assistance on terrific projects.

“The real payoff is when organizations give us feedback on the positive results projects, funded by FootPRINT, have achieved,” adds Lipari.

To be considered for a FootPRINT Fund award, nonprofit groups, associations and charitable organizations with a main office or branch in the Greater Hamilton area must submit a completed application. The deadline to apply is February 15. Further information and application forms may be downloaded from the Community Page.

Award recipients are selected by a review panel and awards based on how the services will be used to further the organization’s goals including service expansion, program enhancement and maximization of existing resources, as well as the organization’s history of innovation and resourcefulness.

“This program is a way for us to make a difference in our community, one step at a time. At Allegra, we feel that it is extremely important to reach out to those in need and help our local organizations and associations leave their ‘footprints’ in the community,” added Lipari, who owns Allegra along with partner Dave Knox, “Since opening in 1997, we have provided in-kind services to several area not-for-profit businesses and organizations. FootPRINT has become an instrumental vehicle allowing us to focus these charitable efforts.”