Stamford, Conn., – Pitney Bowes Inc. is enabling thousands of its Connect+ customers, who on average mail out 3,500 envelopes a month, to raise awareness for national nonprofit organizations through its Connect for a Cause program, it announced today.  The ongoing national campaign is a turnkey program that will help promote national nonprofit organizations for a set period of time during which Connect+ mail system customers can help elevate awareness and drive funding.  The customer that delivers the most messages using Connect+ through December 31, 2011 will receive $1,000 from Pitney Bowes to donate to the charity of its choice.
 
"Many of our customers are big supporters of giving.  However, in this economy, being able to give back is not as easy as it once was," said Chris Giles, Vice President, Solutions and Competitive Marketing, Pitney Bowes.  "Through Connect for a Cause, we are giving small and medium-sized businesses a simple way to help charitable causes and, at the same time, helping to raise awareness to very worthwhile causes that will directly benefit from the additional exposure. The customer who generates the most messages will have the opportunity to donate to a cause that is important to them."
 
The first in an ongoing series of national nonprofit organizations to benefit is the National Recreation and Park Association's program, America's Backyard, which represents the leading U.S. advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks and recreation opportunities, as well as environmental conservation efforts. July is the nation's official Park and Recreation Month.  Connect+ customers will have from now through the end of July to support America's Backyard by adding the logo and promotional message from America's Backyard on the outside of their outgoing mail. Future benefiting charities will be announced in July.
 
"We appreciate the opportunity Pitney Bowes is providing to help us gain further exposure of our cause during an especially key time for us, "said Sieglinde Friedman, Chief of Business Development at NRPA/America's Backyard.  "Given Pitney Bowes' commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate citizenship, the partnership aligns well with our mission to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts."
 
Through embedded technology, the logos and messaging for a national nonprofit will be made easily available for Connect+ customers to print on the outside of envelopes as they print throughout the month, which will provide much needed visibility to the cause. Ultimately, additional focus and fundraising will result.
 
The Connect+ 2000, part of the Connect+ Customer Communications Series, enables mailers to print high-resolution graphics and messages in color, including QR codes, on the outside of the envelope on demand.