WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Franchise Association (IFA) Educational Foundation launched its Franchising Gives Back program at the IFA’s annual convention in Las Vegas last month. Franchising Gives Back salutes innovative community leaders and charitable programs nationwide.
“Franchising Gives Back is a year-long celebration of community leadership across the U.S. and around the world,” said John Reynolds, CFE, president of the IFA Educational Foundation. “Franchise businesses give back in countless ways each day, bringing people together in service to others and building strong communities. Franchising Gives Back shines a light on these exemplary leaders who are giving back and inspiring their peers to do the same.”
As part of the Franchising Gives Back national initiative, the IFA Educational Foundation has begun development of a national registry of the franchising industry’s charitable contributions and community support. Members of the IFA can contribute to the national registry by visiting franchisinggivesback.org to register and create a profile for their organization. Companies can submit details about their charitable activities—including hours volunteered and money donated—as well as upcoming events, news, and blog posts.
Additionally, in early March, the IFA Educational Foundation will announce its call for nominations for the first Franchising Gives Back Annual Awards Program recognizing the significant contributions franchise businesses make to their communities. IFA members will have the opportunity to submit nominations in a number of categories to recognize their charitable initiatives that their businesses support in local communities throughout the year. Winners will be honored during a special event in September 2015.
Plans are being finalized to publish its first Franchising Gives Back Annual Report highlighting the industry’s contributions and a best practices guide for IFA members who want to develop their community support and charitable activities.
As part of the IFA Foundation’s “Shaping the Future of Franchising” fundraising campaign launched last year, the Roark Capital Group made a lead gift to the Foundation as the founding partner of Franchising Gives Back.
“The IFA often cites the economic impact franchise business owners have made, employing millions of Americans and creating new jobs each year, but the charitable work being done by small business owners is equally powerful,” said Steve Romaniello, CFE, managing director, Roark Capital Group. “We are honored to be the founding partner of Franchising Gives Back and celebrate the billions of volunteer hours and dollars franchise businesses donate each year.”
