Northville, Mich., April 11, 2006 – As nonprofits face increasing challenges to raise funds to fulfill their mission, Allegra Network LLC, one of the world’s largest print and graphic communications franchises, continues to grow its FootPRINT Fund® for nonprofit friends. Since the program’s launch in 2003, Allegra Network’s FootPRINT Fund has already awarded more than $1.4 million in free print and graphic services to qualifying nonprofit organizations, associations, charities and institutions.

These free print communications services have been awarded through the FootPRINT Fund by Allegra Network’s participating U.S. and Canadian locations operating under brand names including Allegra Print & Imaging, American Speedy Printing and Insty-Prints.

“In today’s economy, nonprofit organizations must work harder to recruit volunteers and the funds necessary to support their causes,” said Carl Gerhardt, president of Allegra Network. “Many of our franchise owners continue to be very passionate about the FootPRINT Fund and have communicated a strong willingness to support local nonprofit organizations any way they can. Through the FootPRINT Fund, Allegra Network is able to build strong ties with local nonprofits and help fulfill their print and graphic needs.”

The FootPRINT Fund provides nonprofits with the resources they need to effectively “leave their footprint” in local communities by supplying free services for graphic design, printing, copying and bindery for brochures, newsletters, forms, flyers, posters and other print communications. More than 80 Allegra Network franchise locations each have contributed up to $25,000 annually in print services.

With the help given by the company’s franchise members through the FootPRINT Fund, these organizations can increase their exposure and get the word out to their local communities. To be considered for a FootPRINT Fund award, nonprofit organizations must complete a written application explaining their goals and how the printing services will be used. Eligible nonprofit organizations can receive awards up to $1,000 per organization in printing services a year.

To date, the FootPRINT Fund has helped more than 750 service organizations and groups benefiting children, the elderly, community development, visual and performing arts and individuals faced with disabilities, as well as religious groups, healthcare organizations and professional associations, in 27 states and Canada. Some of these include the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, the American Diabetes Association, the Special Olympics, the Salvation Army and the American Heart Association. Please see the “FootPRINT Fund - Making a Difference” case example for more information.

In addition to touching numerous communities, the FootPRINT Fund has also earned several professional accolades. To date, the FootPRINT Fund has won three awards including the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Diamond Award and Communicator Crystal Award of Excellence for outstanding work in the field of communications and brilliance in a public relations campaign throughout its implementation, and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Renaissance Award in recognition of goodwill efforts displayed by Allegra Network’s franchise members. Allegra Network was also recently named as a finalist for the PR News Corporate Social Responsibility Award for the company’s community philanthropy.

Patricia Lundberg of Allegra Print & Imaging in San Antonio, Texas, has become a trusted resource among the nonprofit community and has awarded grants from the FootPRINT Fund to more than 75 nonprofit organizations. “I enjoy being able to give to such deserving organizations because it solidifies our connection with them,” said Lundberg. “It’s great to know that I can provide professional services for them to communicate more effectively to donors and supporters.” Since the inception of the FootPRINT Fund, Lundberg’s location has produced more than 17,200 print communications for award recipients, including newsletters, brochures and bookmarks. “On a nonprofit budget, Allegra Print & Imaging has helped us achieve a sophisticated wardrobe of print materials that are eye-catching, innovative and well received by our patients,” said Sandy Doughton, marketing manager of a healthcare nonprofit in San Antonio, Texas. “We wouldn’t have been able to produce these important communications otherwise.”

The FootPRINT Fund was inspired by Pete Ostlund, an Insty-Prints owner in Owatonna, Minnesota, who started a local grant program to help nonprofits in his community. He received such an overwhelming response that Allegra Network created a national program based on his model.

The FootPRINT Fund is one of several community programs sponsored by Allegra Network as part of the company’s Community Care Campaign to help unite and strengthen local communities. Other programs include Posters with Purpose ®, offering free posters to nonprofit organizations to announce upcoming events, and Adventures in Safety, which educates children about strangers they may meet in person or on the Internet.

About Allegra Network
Allegra Network LLC is one of world's largest print and graphic communications franchises linking more than 600 locations in North America and the United Kingdom. With system-wide sales of $345 million, the company ranks in the top 200 among all franchise companies in the world and is considered a leader in franchise training, technology implementation and system profitability. Allegra Network was founded in 1976 and today supports five brands under its printing division - Allegra Print & Imaging, American Speedy Printing, Insty-Prints, Speedy Printing and Zippy Print and the Signs Now brand under its sign division. Principal shareholders include Domino's Pizza founder/former CEO and Ave Maria University founder Thomas S. Monaghan and members of Allegra Network management. For more information on Allegra Network, please call (248) 596-8600 or visit www.allegranetwork.com.