SBB Research Group is recognizing three Chicago-area charities as the June 2021 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits during the pandemic (in alphabetical order): Fill a Heart 4 Kids (Lake Forest) provides educational support, necessities, and a sense of community to at-risk, homeless, and foster children. LIFT-Chicago empowers low-income families to break the cycle of poverty by partnering with parents as they work toward financial growth and independence. The Warming House (Wilmette) offers teens a welcoming, supervised, and structured environment for recreational programs and counseling services. These finalists will give brief presentations via videoconference to the investment firm's staff, who will ask questions to learn more about each of these important causes. The employees will then vote to allocate the company's monthly grant awards. Each finalist will receive at least a $1,000 donation. Last month, the firm awarded two $5,000 grants: Momma Chef's Soup Kitchen provides Chicago-area families in need with regular access to food in a comfortable setting. VFW Post 5531 provides a range of programs and services to the veterans and the community of Wathena, Kansas. "We were moved by the impact both of these organizations have on the communities they serve," said Matt Aven, SBB Research Group's COO. "We are proud to support them and believe strongly in their missions." Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on GlobeNewswire.

Momma Chef’s Soup Kitchen has received a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. Momma Chef’s Soup Kitchen fights food insecurity in the Chicago community by providing hundreds of families with meals each week in a comfortable and welcoming environment. “Our goal is to help the less fortunate living in Chicago,” said Karen Nochimowski, the founder of Momma Chef’s Soup Kitchen. “We feed the hungry with a hot, nutritious, 6-course meal to-go.” Additionally, the organization works toward food justice with Little Free Pantry, a free-standing kiosk of non-perishable food open 24-hours a day to anyone in need, and provides weekly meals to homeless shelters in Chicago. The soup kitchen is staffed entirely by volunteers from the community. Meals are served by volunteers as young as eight years old to offer an enlightening and dignifying experience for all involved. “We are humbled and inspired by Karen’s efforts to make such a profound difference in our community.” - Matt Aven, SBBRG COO Dedicated volunteer and local high school student Olivia Shachtman added that “Momma Chef’s Soup Kitchen has been a cause very close to my heart, and I am very grateful that they received this grant as it will help to provide such thoughtful and high-quality meals to so many members of our community.” SBBRG’s grant will enable the soup kitchen to provide hundreds of meals to Chicagoans in need. “The fight to end hunger is critical,” said Matt Aven, SBBRG’s COO. “We are humbled and inspired by Karen’s efforts to make such a profound difference in our community.” For more information about Momma Chef’s Soup Kitchen, visit https://mommachef.com/soup-kitchen/ To apply for a grant from SBBRG, please visit sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply, and donations are awarded to different organizations every month. This story can be found on Globe Newswire.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5531 has received a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. “With a county population of around 1,000 people, support and activities are limited. Our organization exists to serve our veterans and the community” Since 1970, VFW Post 5531 provides a range of programs and services to the veterans and the community of Wathena, Kansas. The organization fosters a supportive environment and offers financial and healthcare assistance to local veterans in need. In addition to their generous support to veterans, VFW Post 5531 hosts community food drives, provides scholarships to the local schools, donates fruit baskets to nursing homes, and regularly supports the local Scouts program. “With a county population of around 1,000 people, support and activities are limited. Our organization exists to serve our veterans and the community,” said Darrell Lamme, Quartermaster, VFW Post 5531. SBB Research Group’s contribution will help support the much-needed building maintenance and operations of VFW Post 5531. “We recognize the importance of the service these veterans have provided to our country and are honored to support them and the community,” said Matt Aven, COO of SBB Research Group. For more information, or to donate to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5531, please visit https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/vfw-5531-wathena-renovation To apply for a grant from SBBRG, please visit sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply, and donations are awarded to different organizations every month. This story can be found on BusinessWire.

While many people are familiar with the United States Census every 10 years as mandated by the Constitution, over 100 different surveys are conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau each year. SBB Research Group summarizes vital information from Census.gov about these lesser-known—but significant—surveys in this educational series. What is the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)? The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) provides information on participation and spending related to fishing, hunting, and other wildlife-related activities. The survey is funded by the Multistate Conservation Grant Program and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau under an interagency agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior). The FHWAR is a national survey and provides state results for Maine, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Detailed information includes the number of participants, where and how often they participate, the type of wildlife encountered, and the amount of money spent on wildlife-related recreation. How is the Data Used? In the 2016 survey, 104 million residents sixteen years and older participated in wildlife-related activities: 35.8 million were anglers, 11.5 million were hunters, and 86 million were wildlife watchers (closely observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife). Hunters and anglers each spent $12 billion on equipment, and wildlife watchers spent $55 billion. This spending creates thousands of jobs, supports numerous local communities, and provides vital funding for conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service creates reports, brochures, news releases and other communications about current use and trend information from the survey results. In addition, other organizations within the federal government, such as land and water development agencies, use the data on participation rates, animal species sought, and types of resources used to formulate policies and programs related to recreational fish and wildlife uses. Federal regulatory, permitting, and environmental agencies rely on the economic data to estimate the damage to fish and wildlife resources and determine the costs and benefits of projects affecting natural resources. State fish and wildlife agencies use the survey data for program planning, development, management, and evaluation. Other non-federal conservation organizations, researchers, and trade and manufacturing associations rely on the FHWAR data for research and planning. Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/fhwar.html

SBB Research Group is pleased to recognize three Chicago-area charities as the March 2021 finalists of its monthly COVID-19 Grant program. The finalists (listed in alphabetical order) this month all focus on the well-being of children and families: Beacon Place (Waukegan) is a neighborhood community center that provides enriching and fulfilling experiences to promote critical life skills such as collaboration, accountability, and integrity. Bounce Children's Foundation (Deerfield) transforms the lives of chronically ill children with a supportive community and fun programming that provides a break from doctor visits and painful therapies. IMD Guest House (Chicago) provides comfortable, temporary lodging for patients and their families who must travel to Chicago for complex, long-term medical treatment. Representatives from each of these nonprofits will have the opportunity to discuss their mission with the Chicago-area investment firm's staff via videoconference. SBB Research Group's employees will vote to allocate the grant awards, with each finalist to receive at least a $1,000 donation. Last month, the Automotive Mentoring Group (AMG) received $5,000 to help young men and women escape gang violence by providing them the opportunity to learn the art of classic car and motorcycle restoration. In addition, Aspiritech, which employs over 120 men and women on the autism spectrum in the field of software quality assurance, received $3,000 to empower neurodivergent individuals. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at https://sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on Business Wire.

While many people are familiar with the United States Census every 10 years as mandated by the Constitution, over 100 different surveys are conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau each year. SBB Research Group summarizes vital information from Census.gov about these lesser-known—but significant—surveys in this educational series. What is the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)? The NCVS complements the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reports—an annual compilation of police information. The NCVS also counts incidents not reported to the police and provides trends from the victim’s perspective. In 2018, for example, most personal crimes and the majority of property crimes were unreported to the police—55.4 percent and 64.9 percent, respectively. The NCVS, therefore, seeks to provide a comprehensive picture of the impact that crimes of all types have on the general population. How is the Data Collected? The NCVS, conducted for the Bureau of Justice Statistics, is a longitudinal study that collects data from a representative sample of 95,000 households who remain in the sample for 36 months. Subjects are interviewed every six months, either in person or over the phone, to collect information on the types and amount of crime involving people age 12 or older. Periodically, the survey includes crime in schools, contacts with law enforcement, and identity theft. The NCVS collects information on nonfatal personal crimes (e.g., rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault, and personal larceny) and household property crimes (e.g., burglary/trespassing, motor-vehicle theft, and other theft), both reported and not reported to the police. Subjects’ demographic information is collected (e.g., age, sex, race, marital status, education level, and income) and whether they experienced a victimization. The NCVS also collects demographic information about the offender for each incident, the characteristics of the crime (e.g., time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of any injury, and economic consequences), whether the crime was reported to police, the reason the crime was reported or was not reported, and victim experiences with the criminal justice system. The Bureau of Justice Statistics results for 2018 showed that assaults were 77.8 percent of all personal victimizations committed against persons aged 12 or older, and the remainder of the personal crimes includes robbery, rape/sexual assault, and purse-snatching/pocket-picking. The most reported type of property crime for 2018 was theft, such as lawn furniture stolen from a backyard or a bicycle stolen from the driveway—which accounted for 76.5 percent of all property crimes. Other property crimes included burglary (19.5 percent) and motor vehicle theft (4.0 percent). How is the Data Used? The NCVS is used by law enforcement, judicial, and correctional agencies to improve their effectiveness and to plan and develop preventative actions. The data is critical to the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, as well as various branches of the Department of Justice. Source: www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ncvs.html

While many people are familiar with the United States Census every 10 years as mandated by the Constitution, over 100 different surveys are conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau each year. SBB Research Group summarizes vital information from Census.gov about these lesser-known—but significant—surveys in this educational series. What is the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)? The SIPP is a broad, longitudinal survey that collects data related to income, labor force participation, social program participation and eligibility, and general demographic characteristics to measure the effectiveness of existing federal, state, and local programs. The survey collects data across a consistent sample over several years and provides a measure of the nation’s well-being at the household level. Extensive information about family dynamics, educational attainment, housing expenditures, asset ownership, health insurance, disability, childcare, and food security are collected. The survey’s mission is to provide a sample for the evaluation of the movement of various segments into and out of government assistance programs and the country’s changing family and social situations Since 1983, SIPP data has provided the most extensive knowledge of how the nation’s economic well-being changes over time. This data allows for examining the interaction between tax, transfer, and other government and private policies. Government policymakers depend heavily on SIPP for information on income distribution and government assistance programs’ success. How is the Data Used? A significant application of the SIPP is to evaluate the use of and eligibility for government programs. This data provides policymakers with the facts to make better informed economic and policy decisions. SIPP’s longitudinal feature allows for the analysis of selected dynamic characteristics of the population, including changes in income, participation in transfer programs, household and family composition, labor force behavior, and other associated events. Data from SIPP longitudinal survey allow analysts to examine: How changes in benefit levels impact recipients Whether labor force participation is affected by income from other household members How changes in the eligibility rules affect various age, gender, and racial groups The impact of the participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps) The interactions between the distribution of income and changes in the structures of households and families Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sipp.html

SBB Research Group LLC is pleased to announce three Chicago-area charities as the February 2021 finalists of its monthly grant program that supports nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): Aspiritech empowers individuals on the autism spectrum through meaningful employment combined with social opportunity. Based in Chicago's northern suburbs, Aspiritech employs over 120 people in its software testing facility. Automotive Mentoring Group teaches the art of classic car and motorcycle restoration to at-risk young men and women in the Chicago-area, helping them escape from the cycle of gang violence. Direct Giving Lab provides low-income families in northern Illinois with immediate assistance for rent, food, utilities, childcare, transportation, and other basic needs. These finalists will deliver presentations about their organization to the Chicago-area investment firm's staff via videoconference. SBB Research Group's employees will vote to allocate the grant awards, with each finalist to receive at least a $1,000 donation. Caring 4 Kids Clothing received a $5,000 grant in January to support local families with much needed essential clothing, school supplies, and household items. SBB Research Group's COO, Matt Aven, said the firm “is honored to support so many critical causes in our community, especially during the pandemic." Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at https://www.sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on Business Wire.

SBB Research Group is pleased to select three Chicago-area charities as the January 2021 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting essential nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): The Boys and Girls Club of Lake County offers north suburban Chicago youth an inviting and safe after school environment where they are encouraged to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Caring 4 Kids Clothing provides much-need clothing to hundreds of northern Illinois children, including coats, boots, scarves, and gloves, as well as everyday items such as school uniforms, gym shoes, socks, and undergarments. The Center for Enriched Living serves the citizens of northern Illinois who live with developmental and intellectual disabilities, helping them to become active participants in the full spectrum of community life. These finalists will deliver a ten-minute presentation via videoconference to the Chicago-area investment firm's staff, who are eager to learn more about the critical work being undertaken by each. The employees will then vote to allocate the company's monthly grant awards. Each finalist will receive a donation of at least $1,000. Last month, Family Matters received $5,000 to further its mission of offering transformative academic and social programs to underserved school-age children. SBB Research Group's COO, Matt Aven, said that "this initiative reflects our commitment to support vitally-needed community services." Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at http://sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on Benzinga, IT News Online, PRWeb.

While many people are familiar with the United States Census, which is taken every 10 years as mandated by the Constitution, there are actually over 100 different surveys conducted by the US Census Bureau each year. In this educational series, SBB Research Group summarizes key information from Census.gov about these lesser-known—but highly important—surveys. What is the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)? The NHAMCS provides information about the delivery of ambulatory care in hospital emergency rooms and outpatient surgery centers throughout the United States. The survey is conducted by the g and incorporated into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Ambulatory Health Care Database. Survey data is collected on the number of visits by demographic characteristics (age, ethnicity, gender) as well as the type of institution and geography. In addition, various other details are recorded, such as the patient’s reason for the visit (specific chronic conditions and traumatic injury statistics), the provider’s diagnosis, and services ordered or provided. Information is also collected about treatment, including medication therapy and vital statistics, payment (public/private insurance, Medicare, etc.), and the type of provider (physician, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or mental health provider). Methodology of NHAMCS Findings for the NHAMCS are based on a sample of visits to community health centers and non-federal office-based physicians engaged in direct patient care. A three-stage sampling method is utilized to select geographically defined hospitals and emergency departments. How is the Data Used? Data collected by the NHAMCS provides statistics on visits to both hospital emergency departments and outpatient departments. This data is analyzed by Congress, governmental agencies, and public health organizations to define healthcare policies. Universities, medical schools, and research organizations study the information for educational and policy decision-making purposes. With this data, policymakers can take action around critical health care issues, such as: The impact of the national opioid crisis and the aging US population Healthcare reform and the growing number of uninsured individuals Trends of hospital inpatient to outpatient surgery The use of innovative diagnostic and medical record technologies Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ahcd/index.htm