Innis Maggiore, Heart Brands launch first nonprofit section in Hall of Fame parade

Innis Maggiore teamed with Heart Brands to create the first nonprofit section of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Parade in Canton, giving Stark County charities new visibility in front of more than 200,000 spectators. Two floats from the effort won parade awards, and organizers say the move is meant to help nonprofits reach more people who need their services.

Why it matters: - The new nonprofit section gave local organizations a rare chance to reach a massive live audience at one of Canton’s biggest annual events. - More than 200,000 spectators attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Parade each year, creating broad visibility for participating nonprofits. - The effort was designed to help nonprofits that deliver community services but may not otherwise get major public recognition.

What happened: - Innis Maggiore partnered with Heart Brands to create the first-ever nonprofit section of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Parade. - The parade took place Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Canton, Ohio. - Connor and Aleena Orban, owners of Heart Brands, teamed with Innis Maggiore on the project. - Heart Brands funded each nonprofit float rental and buildout. - Delta V Management and Just Like You & Me supplied trucks to tow the floats. - Innis Maggiore donated creative and project management services as the float designer. - Staff from Heart Brands companies and Innis Maggiore volunteered hours to plan, assemble and coordinate float building.

The details: - Participating nonprofits on floats included A Blessed Path, Just Like You & Me, Philomathean Society of the Blind, Stark A11y, Triad Deaf Services and Vocal Fusion. - Participating nonprofits on foot included North Canton Playhouse and Vocal Fusion Youth Choir. - The Caravan of Love Shower Bus and the Wishes Can Happen train also joined the nonprofit section. - The theme of the nonprofit section was Community Christmas. - The "Gift of You" float featured Just Like You & Me and Vocal Fusion and was sponsored by A Blessed Path, Innis Maggiore and CEI. - The "Gift of You" float won the Chamber Award for Best Display of Enthusiasm. - The "Rudolph" float featured Stark A11y, Philomathean Society of the Blind and Triad Deaf Services. - The "Rudolph" float was sponsored by ReliaRide Medical Transportation, Innis Maggiore, CEI, Delta V Management, Rock Solid Cut Stone, Alside, Tamko and SRS. - The "Rudolph" float won the Mayor’s Award for Best Display of Animation. - Vocal Fusion provided music for the "Rudolph" float. - Last year, Innis Maggiore donated the design for the Grand Prize-winning float for GiGi’s Playhouse, which ReliaRide supported financially.

Between the lines: - The parade project extends Heart Brands’ broader strategy of pairing business activity with nonprofit support. - Innis Maggiore used the parade to showcase community-facing creative work beyond traditional agency services. - The awards suggest the new section was both visible and competitive inside a parade that already draws major attention. - Mark Vandegrift, Innis Maggiore president and CEO, said the agency’s community focus dates to its founding in 1974 and that the project helped position several organizations serving Canton and Stark County. - Connor Orban said the nonprofit section reflected Heart Brands’ vision of multiplying the missions of its organizations and other nonprofits.

What’s next: - Organizers said the nonprofit section was created to increase awareness and support for participating groups. - The event’s donation link remains available for people who want to support the nonprofits at more information and donations. - Future parade participation could build on the model if organizers continue the nonprofit section in coming years.

The bottom line: - The first nonprofit section at the Hall of Fame parade turned a marquee community event into a fundraising and awareness platform for Stark County charities.