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 E-Commerce Statistics (E-STATS) Report? The E-Commerce Statistics (E-STATS) report is conducted by the United States Census Bureau to measure the value of goods and services sold online. Its goal is to measure the electronic economy in particular and excludes companies with physical storefronts as long as they do not primarily fill e-commerce orders from their stores. These companies are asked to provide separate information for their e-commerce divisions. Agriculture, mining, construction, agents, brokers, and electronic markets that participate in wholesale trade are all excluded as well. E-commerce exports are included in the E-STATS report. Foreign customers and affiliates are also included but are not separable from domestic data. Firms that go out of business are dropped from the survey on an annual basis in the spring of each year. Results of e-commerce provided by these firms are included until the company ceases operations completely. The data for the E-STATS report is compiled from data in four separate surveys: The Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS) targets all US firms with paid employees that are primarily engaged in retail trade. The Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) provides sample estimates of statistics for all manufacturing establishments with at least one employee. The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) conducted yearly to provide detailed industry measures of sales, inventories, operational expenses, and purchases for wholesale trade activities. The Service Annual Survey (SAS) provides comprehensive data of service activity in the United States. These surveys use different measures of economic activity, such as: Shipments for manufacturing Sales for wholesale and retail trade Revenues for service industries What is the Data Used For? The statistics collected in the E-STATS report are primarily used to provide the business community and policymakers of the United States with relevant economic metrics, which inform business and policy decisions. How E-Commerce Shipments, Sales, and Revenues Are Defined E-commerce shipments are online orders for manufactured products. Payments may or may not be made online, but price and terms of sale must be negotiated over one of the following: Internet Extranet Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) network Electronic mail Other online systems E-commerce sales/revenues require the buyer to place an order online (though payments do not have to be made online) through the following mediums: Internet Mobile device (m-commerce) Extranet Electronic Data Interchange (EDI network) Electronic mail Other online systems As with all US Census reports and surveys, estimates provided by the sample surveys are subject to both sampling and non-sampling error. Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/e-stats.html

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 U.S. 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 Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (ASE)? The Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (ASE) is a survey conducted annually through a partnership among the Census Bureau, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The information collected provides data on specific economic and demographic attributes of businesses and their owners, including gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status. Responses to the survey are mandatory based upon the authorization from Title 13 of the United States Code. The ASE is an example of a collaboration between public and private organizations; funding from the Kauffman Foundation and the MBDA enable the partnership to create new content, distribute the survey via mailings to a sample population, process the collected data, and produce new products to aid in relaying results to the public. The goal of this collaboration is to provide a more complete picture of business ownership in the United States. How ASE Data is Used The information collected through the ASE is used by leaders in government and industry, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The Small Business Administration and MBDA use information collected to help decide how to allocate program resources to businesses in need. Government agencies – from federal to local – use data collected to help plan, direct, and review programs that enable activities of disadvantaged groups. Researchers can identify long-term economic trends and demographic shifts. Business owners can harness the data to review their operations against their competition to determine growth potential. Survey Eligibility Businesses surveyed include all nonfarm related businesses that file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service as either a sole proprietorship, partnership, or any corporation that holds receipts greater than $1,000. The ASE surveys companies as a whole, rather than each individual establishment. Data collected from businesses and business owners are subsequently combined with data obtained from both the general economic census and administrative records. The survey specifies business ownership as having 51% or more of the equity in the business, and categorizes results into the following: Gender: Male; female; equally male/female Ethnicity: Hispanic; non-Hispanic; equally Hispanic/non-Hispanic Race: White; Black or African American; American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; some other race; minority; nonminority; equally minority/nonminority Veteran Status: veteran; nonveteran; equally veteran/nonveteran Publicly held and other companies that are not classified by gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status Frequency of Survey The ASE is conducted every year for a reference period of three years, beginning with the reference year 2014. The ASE is a supplement to the Survey of Business Owners (SBO), which is conducted every five years. Prior-year estimates are revised each year. General Topics in the Survey The ASE generates its content by selecting questions from the 2012 Survey of Business Owners and by developing new modules each year with questions regarding current relevant economic topics. Examples of topics covered in the last several years include innovation, research and development, management practices, record-keeping practices, business banking relationships, business advice and planning, and regulations. By gathering this information, the ASE provides valuable insights into the composition of American businesses. Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ase.html

Surge for Water , a Chicago-area nonprofit, has helped over a million people around the world gain access to safe water. The organization continues to expand its efforts to address the global water crisis by working closely with community partners and corporate sponsors, such as SBB Research Group , which has collaborated with Surge for Water since 2015. What began as a pilot project distributing water filters in rural Uganda has expanded to include well rehabilitation, latrines for schools, and vital educational resources. Shilpa Alva, executive director of Surge for Water, gave a presentation at Chicago Water Week with SBB Research Group’s Jordan Robinson, who has spearheaded this collaboration. “When we came to you, we actually hadn’t even started working in Uganda yet,” Alva told Robinson. “We have impacted 150,000 people in Uganda since that date, so it’s just phenomenal what having that trust has meant to us and most importantly, to providing access and addressing the global water crisis.” “Something we’re really proud of is how Surge has been able to be so effective and efficient with the capital we’re providing,” added Robinson. Surge for Water is hosting a virtual gala sponsored by SBB Research Group, “Dance Through the Decades,” which will feature professional dance performances, a silent auction, and other unique presentations to raise awareness and funds for the organization’s projects. The main event will begin on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 7:30 PM Central Time. Registration is free at surgeforwater.org/dance and donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. This story first appeared on EINPresswire

SBB Research Group is excited to recognize three charities as the October 2020 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): AIDS Foundation Chicago supports Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS and offers prevention services in partnership with policymakers. Mobile Care Chicago operates a fleet of mobile clinics that offer free medical and dental care to low-income families in the Chicago area. Readers2Leaders (Alexandria, VA) promotes literacy by providing underserved children with e-readers loaded with thousands of electronic books. These finalists will give ten-minute presentations via videoconference to the Chicago-area 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 $1,000 in donations. Last month, Share Our Spare received $5,000 to collect and distribute essential baby items to families living in poverty. SBB Research Group’s COO, Matt Aven, said that the company is “honored to support so many important causes through this program.” Any 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is encouraged to apply at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story first appeared on GlobeNewswire.

Funds will support a Chicago-based fleet of portable health and dental clinics. Mobile Care Chicago has received a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group, a Chicago-area investment firm that awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of SBB Research Group, which allows us to add three more clinic days to our schedule. Especially during the current crisis, it's an honor to bring medical care to people regardless of their ability to pay.” Mobile Care Chicago brings high-quality care—free of charge—directly to low-income children throughout Chicago. Their fleet of Asthma, Children’s Health, and Dental vans serve over 6,000 children in Chicago and, during the pandemic, they also have been providing COVID-19 testing. A network of 80 local schools assists Mobile Care Chicago, enabling the organization to identify and treat children who lack insurance and who have limited access to regular medical care. Its innovative mobile service model overcomes longstanding barriers between underserved children and quality medical care. Matt Aven, SBB Research Group’s COO, explained that the firm selected Mobile Care Chicago in part because “COVID-19 has dramatically increased the need for mobile healthcare services in our community.” “The pandemic has made it harder, if not impossible, for many people to visit traditional care providers, especially for those who rely on public transportation,” added Aven. “We are proud to support an organization dedicated to the health of Chicago’s children.” Matt Siemer, Executive Director of Mobile Care Chicago, said “We are incredibly grateful for the support of SBB Research Group, which allows us to add three more clinic days to our schedule. Especially during the current crisis, it's an honor to bring medical care to people regardless of their ability to pay.” For more information about Mobile Care Chicago: https://mobilecarechicago.org/ Grants from SBB Research Group can be applied at: https://www.sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Any 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is encouraged to apply and grants are awarded to different organizations every month. This story first appeared on Business Wire.

SBB Research Group, a Chicago-based investment management firm, recently awarded Aishwarya Atmakuri with the inaugural SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship, providing $5,000 to support her studies at UCLA in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. Over 1,600 students had applied for this scholarship, which empowers students to create value for society through their pursuit of higher learning, especially through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). “We were really impressed with the depth of talent and passion for STEM among so many applicants,” said Matt Aven, the firm’s COO and CCO. “Their stories inspired us to expand our scholarship program.” The company has now awarded four additional $1,000 SBB Research Group STEM Scholarships (listed alphabetically by last name; pictured left to right). David Ajoku is pursuing two master’s degrees at Carnegie Mellon University: Mechanical Engineering and Engineering & Technology Innovation Management. He also holds a BS in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Western Michigan University. He was the Chief Design Engineer at CTS Corporation, helping to invent and patent novel actuator technologies. David also has led multiple entrepreneurial endeavors, including an AI-based online platform focused on increasing awareness of maternal-fetal health issues. Trisha Dani is a Computer Science major at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In high school, she interned at Boeing’s Avionics Design Center and wrote maintenance programs for their 737, 777, and 787 airliners. She was recognized for optimizing a workflow project with Visual Basic macros to parse 10,000+ line airline order spreadsheets. She has also designed an escape room game for children with glaucoma and hopes to develop solutions for elderly accessibility issues. Angel Shuford is pursuing a BS in Air Traffic Control at Thomas Edison State University where she previously earned an AAS in Aviation Support and Military Technology Leadership. She also serves as an Air Traffic Control Specialist in the US Army. Before enlisting in the military, Angel co-founded Tech From Vets, which won the 2017 Biztech Award. She also authored The Manuscript, a how-to educational guide for soldiers. Stephanie Zhang is double majoring in Computer Science and Biology at Stanford University. Working with researchers at the University of Southern California and Purdue University, she discovered a novel biomarker gene for colorectal cancer. She is also the co-founder of PocketOnco, which uses AI to rapidly diagnose colorectal, breast, and skin cancer from dermoscopic images, and Blossom, an AI-powered app that detects hotspots on proteins. SBB Research Group plans to launch the next round of this scholarship program on National STEM Day (November 8, 2020). To be eligible for an SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship, applicants must be full-time students pursuing a STEM degree, maintain a 3.5 grade point average or higher, and complete a 500-word essay on their STEM experience and how they would use STEM principles to benefit the world. For more information and to learn how to apply, please visit SBBRG's Scholarship website.

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 U.S. Census Bureau each year. In this educational series, SBB Research Group summarizes key information from Census.gov about these lesser-known—but highly important—survey. What is the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) Program? The Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) program is a national household survey program conducted by the United States Census Bureau (USCB) for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The purpose of these surveys is to find out how Americans spend money. The CE program provides comprehensive information on consumer expenditures and incomes, and the program has two parts — the Quarterly Interview Survey and the Diary Survey. For the Quarterly Interview Survey, each participating household is interviewed once per quarter for a year. This survey captures information about large purchases. The Diary Survey is self-administered and requires each participating household to keep a diary for two one-week periods. This survey captures data about small, frequently purchased items. How CE Data is Used The data collected by the CE program is primarily used to update the inputs for the Consumer Price Index, an important measure of inflation based on prices of typical consumer purchases. Survey Eligibility Households are chosen to participate in the CE program from the Census Bureau’s Master Address File. The selection process is designed to capture a representative sample of the entire country, including rural and urban populations. General Topics in the Survey The Interview Survey and the Diary Survey each focus on slightly different topics. Using computer-assisted personal interviewing techniques, the Interview Survey attempts to ascertain large or recurring expenditures, such as spending on rent, property, and vehicles. Participants in the Diary Survey are asked to record much smaller, frequent purchases, such as spending on food and beverages, tobacco, personal care products, and nonprescription drugs and supplies. Privacy of Information Collected The U.S. Census Bureau must keep all information collected in the CE program strictly confidential (Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Section 9). The information gathered can only be used for statistical purposes and released to the public in a statistical format only. No personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, and phone number) is released. Sources: www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ce and www.bls.gov/cex/

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 County Business Patterns (CBP) Data? County Business Patterns (CBP) data is an annual statistical series of economic information by industry and geographic location. It offers detailed statistics for establishments with paid employees. The CBP includes the collection and dissemination of data obtained from the Business Register. It contains the Census Bureau’s most reliable data for US business establishments, including Census Bureau economic statistics and recent business surveys. The data also includes income and payroll tax information and other statistics and records. How CBP Data is Used CBP data is useful for studying economic activity in specific geographic areas and analyzing economic changes over time. The information is often used for benchmarking other statistical series between economic censuses. Government agencies use the data for administration and planning. Businesses use CBP data to examine market potential, gauge sales, analyze the effectiveness of advertising programs, and develop budgets. Data Sources Sources for CBP data include: • Annual Survey of Manufactures • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) • Current Business Surveys • Economic Census • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • Social Security Administration (SSA) Frequency of Survey The CBP itself has been conducted annually since 1964, and similar data collection has occurred throughout various periods since 1946. CBP data are published around 16 months after each reference year. Because the CBP publishes annually, the data is a snapshot rather than a comprehensive reflection of aggregated data. The CBP does not revise data for prior years. General Topics in the Survey The CBP series data provides useful information by industry regarding for the following local business topics: • Number of establishments • Employment information • National payroll information • State payroll information • Metropolitan area payroll information • Combined statistical area payroll information • County and congressional district information Privacy of Information Collected The Census Bureau is not allowed to provide data linked to specific establishments, including any lists of establishments in a designated area (Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Section 9). Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cbp.html

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 U.S. 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 American Time Use Survey (ATUS)? The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) is sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau since 2003. It is designed to gather information about how people allocate their time between work, family, leisure, and other activities. It is a voluntary survey that takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes and is conducted only by telephone. How ATUS Data is Used Researchers, including economists and social scientists, use ATUS data to create a detailed picture of economic activity in the United States. The data collected includes time spent in childcare, eldercare, and volunteer work not captured in other domestic economic output measures. The data collected answers important questions, including: How much leisure time do people have? What do people prefer to do with their leisure time? How often do people perform work for their employer even after the workday is completed? Do people in different parts of the country spend their time differently? Do men and women spend their time differently? How do different age groups, such as retirees or students, spend their time? How does the quality of life differ across the country? How does the quality of life in the United States compare to other countries? Comparing one survey against another reveals critical trends in how Americans spend their time. Survey Eligibility Participants for the ATUS are selected from participants of the most recent Current Population Survey (CPS). This practice allows the government to expand on the CPS information without re-asking the CPS questions, saving time for surveyors and participants. General Topics in the Survey The survey questions are focused primarily on the participant's activities over the last 24-hour period. Participants are asked to answer questions related to how much time they have spent engaged in the following activities: Working Commuting Volunteering Gaining an education Caring for children or elderly Exercising or playing sports Privacy of Information Collected The U.S. Census Bureau is required to keep all information collected in the ATUS strictly confidential (Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Section 9). The information gathered can only be used for statistical purposes and released to the public in a statistical format only. No personally identifiable information is released. Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/atus.html

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 U.S. 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 Annual Survey Of State And Local Government Finances? The Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances is a survey sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau that collects and provides financial data on a national scale at both the state and local level and records the information using uniform definitions and procedures. It is the only source of comprehensive local government financial data collected nationwide. Survey data collected reflects information on liabilities, assets, revenues, and expenses categorized by each government function. Examples of government functions surveyed include: Police enforcement Fire protection Financial administration Central staff services Judicial and legal branches Highways Public welfare Solid waste management Parks and recreation Water supply Gas supply Correctional facilities Air transportation Transit Housing and community development Health and hospitals Cities Dependent agencies How The Annual Survey Of State And Local Government Finances Is Used There are many consumers of the data collected from the Annual Survey of State of Local Government Finances, including Congress, state and local governments, federal agencies, education and research organizations, and the public. Examples of how these members may use the data include: Fiscal policy and public research/analysis Comparison studies of finances at the state and local government levels Research for legislation How to allocate specific federal grant funds Generation of personal income figures for county and state regions Creation of income accounts for the nation Government estimates for the gross domestic product (GDP) Frequency Of Survey The Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances is collected every year, beginning in 1957. The way the data is surveyed may vary from year to year. In particular, the census is surveyed every five years (in the years ending in “2” and “7”). In the off years, a sample is used to collect data from both state and local governments. The sample population is determined every five years in years ending in “4” and “9.” The survey year is calculated using government fiscal years, which spans from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. For example, the survey year of 2020 spans government fiscal calendars that were from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. How Survey Information Is Collected The survey is conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau. The following sample timeline reflects the overall data collection process: November Initial mail-out December Due date reminder January Follow-up mail-out #1 February Follow-up mail-out #2 April-May Telephone follow-up There are three methods commonly used to collect the requested survey data: mail canvass, internet collection, and a central collection from state sources. The method may vary based upon state requirements and the type of government (state vs. local municipality). In the event data collected is incomplete, the U.S. Census Bureau may attempt to collect data from other sources such as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs). Source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/gov-finances.html