It’s been five years since we responded to the IFA Foundation’s RFP searching for an agency partner to help them grow Franchising Gives Back from an annual service event into a year-long celebration of all the ways franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers make an impact in their local communities. I was part of that initial pitch team and have led Fish’s efforts to promote the program ever since. It’s crazy to think we’re now on the fourth year of the awards. So much has changed! At Fish, with me, our country… but what remains constant is the fact that IFA members are steadfastly committed to giving back.
I’m a sucker for a good community service story. (Former Key Club president, right here. Shoutout to my Division 13 North peeps!) Unfortunately, life gets in the way and I fail to make the time to volunteer. Which is why I’m always blown away by the incredible nominations we get each year for Franchising Gives Back. Their dedication is inspiring.
Over the last few days, the Fish team has been reviewing story after story, trying to help whittle down the list of contenders that the IFA Foundation will consider honoring at the Franchising Gives Back Awards Celebration & Dinner, which will take place on Sept. 4 in Washington, D.C., to kick off the Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting. The official judges have a very difficult job ahead of them. The stories are that good.
We have stories of raising thousands, even millions, of dollars for local children’s hospitals; creating a fund to help families who can’t afford vet bills for their sick pets (all you dog lovers, be prepared to cry); working to end malaria deaths around the world; donating much-need meals to the hungry; providing tuition assistance to hourly employees; supporting our veterans by sending care packages or giving them the opportunity to achieve their dream of business ownership; and much more.
If you’re reading this, I hope your company is among the nominations. If not, then please consider sharing your story on the Franchising Gives Back blog at https://franchisinggivesback.org/our-community/giving-back-blog/. Fish often pulls great stories from the blog to share in IFA’s e-newsletter, Insider, and in IFA SmartBrief, as well as other media opportunities throughout the year. Any program or community service initiative you share via the blog will be included in the Franchising Gives Back national registry, which to date has over 480 members that have donated more than $245 million and 2.3 million volunteer hours.
We also hope to see you in D.C. on Sept. 4! For tickets, visit https://www.franchise.org/fgb-awards-dinner. For sponsorship opportunities, visit https://franchisinggivesback.org/awards/dinner-sponsorship/.
