The SBB Research Group Foundation is proud to highlight the continued success of Bryanna Godfrey after receiving the STEM Scholarship in 2021. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Godfrey received the SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship during her senior year at Stanford University while pursuing a degree in Human Biology. After being awarded the scholarship, Godfrey focused on independent projects in her lab, collecting cell-free RNA from cerebrospinal fluid samples to investigate gene expression in breast cancer patients with brain metastases. While continuing her research until graduation, Godfrey also volunteered as a teaching assistant for a free introductory neuroscience course at the International Youth Neuroscience Association. Godfrey is currently planning to matriculate at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons in the fall of 2023 to pursue a medical degree. "Bryanna has a very promising medical career ahead of her, and I'm so pleased we could be a step on her path to her medical degree," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The SBB Research Group Foundation is honored to have played a role in Godfrey's success. We look forward to continuing to support outstanding students in STEM and helping them achieve their full potential. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation’s STEM scholarship, please visit www.sbbscholarship.org. This story can be found on PRWeb and Yahoo!

The SBB Research Group Foundation named Vivian Chen a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Vivian Chen is a first-year Northwestern University student, studying Computer Science. Chen is a recipient of the Chicago Engineers Foundation Incentive Award and has been named an Amazon Future Engineer. She has a summer 2023 internship at Amazon. "Vivian is the kind of student we want to support with our scholarship. She has enormous promise as an engineer," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation's STEM scholarship, please visit www.sbbscholarship.org. This story can be found on PRWeb

The SBB Research Group Foundation is proud to highlight the continued success of Alana Mermin-Bunnell after receiving the STEM Scholarship in 2022. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Mermin-Bunnell received the SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship during her junior year at Stanford University while pursuing a degree in Bioengineering. Since receiving the scholarship, Mermin-Bunnell has interned at the National Institute of Health, conducted research in the Skylar-Scott lab at Stanford, and mentored elementary students through the Discovering Science Together Club. She also received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow award and was recognized as a Tau Beta Pi Graduate Fellow. In the fall, Mermin-Bunnell will begin pursuing her PhD in Medical Engineering at the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. “Alana has such a bright future ahead of her in medical engineering. It’s an honor to be part of her path to success," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The SBB Research Group Foundation is honored to have played a role in Mermin-Bunnell’s success. We look forward to continuing to support outstanding students in STEM and helping them achieve their full potential. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation’s STEM scholarship, please visit www.sbbscholarship.org. This story can be found on GlobeNewswire and Yahoo!

Illinois Joining Forces received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Illinois Joining Forces is a statewide nonprofit organization that helps service members, veterans, and their families find local services and resources that support growth, wellness, and community. "Our goal is to get upstream from crises such as suicide prevention and awareness, homelessness, and unemployment. We are here to take the call and connect veterans to services before a 'crisis mode' arises," said Brenda Osuch, Interim Executive Director. The Care Coordination Center of Illinois Joining Forces takes requests from all veterans statewide by conducting a comprehensive intake process to determine short-term and long-term support. Some of the most requested needs are emergency financial assistance, including housing, food, and essential utilities. "We wrap our arms around the veteran to make sure we understand their specific needs and connect them to the resources they need," said Jim Dolan, Sr. Director of Development. “It is great that Illinois Joining Forces helps those who served our country find the help that they need,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The organization will use the SBB Research Group Foundation grant to support the Care Coordination Center by providing a rapid response fund. This fund will help to avert any urgent crisis that an individual veteran or family member may need. This story can be found on GlobeNewswire

Facing Forward to End Homelessness received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Facing Forward to End Homelessness is a nonprofit organization that offers safe and stable housing, whole-family case management, and a suite of supportive services that aid in ending generational cycles of homelessness. "We understand that housing is the first step out of homelessness, and from a foundation of stable housing, someone can improve all other areas of their lives. We strive to be client driven, looking at our clients' capabilities, not their problems," said Melissa Anson, Director of Development. Beyond providing permanent housing, Facing Forward provides a two-generation case-management framework. This framework supports families with children by providing parenting support, academic support, and college and career mentoring. Similarly, people who are homeless and expecting a child or have young children also have access to a specialized program that allows them safe housing, parental assistance, and access to healthcare at a time that is especially crucial to child development. "We are proud to support an organization like Facing Forward to End Homelessness that improves the quality of life for families for generations," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The organization will use the SBB Research Group Foundation grant to support general operations at Facing Forward, including equipment and supplies for the provision of direct services, staff salaries and training, and administrative and overhead costs. This story can be found on PRWeb and Yahoo!

Compass to Care Childhood Cancer Foundation received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Compass to Care Childhood Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that eliminates transportation barriers to healthcare for children living in poverty who are being treated for cancer. The Foundation accomplishes this through three non-emergency medical transportation solutions (NEMT) that allow families free transportation services for all cancer-related medical treatments. These solutions reduce cancer survival discrepancies, giving all children hope for a cancer cure. Founder and CEO Michelle May of Compass to Care shares, "The social determinants of health and living in poverty are the differentiating factor that determines whether or not children can have survival rates of what is potentially possible." The organization's success is due to Compass to Care’s strong relationships with hospitals and medical centers that treat pediatric cancer. Open communication with social workers and medical professionals allows families to connect with Compass and have their transportation needs tailored to their treatment requirements. “Compass to Care gives families hope that their child can receive proper care without worrying about travel” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The organization will use the SBB Research Group Foundation grant for the transportation needs of children in the community. This grant will empower families to make timely decisions about getting their children to cancer care, with the hope of long-term survival. About the SBB Research Group Foundation The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the philanthropic mission of SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), a Chicago-based investment management firm led by Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven. The Foundation provides grants to support ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the SBBRG STEM Scholarship, which supports students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. This story can be found on PRWeb

The SBB Research Group Foundation invited three prior grant recipients to share updates on their critical efforts to support the local community. The Foundation awarded additional grants to further each of the respective organization’s missions (organizations listed alphabetically): Antioch Traveling Closet (Antioch) collects new or gently used clothes, shoes, and other essential items to give to those in need in their community. The initial grant was used to purchase brand-new school supplies, toiletries, and cleaning supplies for ATC’s Back-to-School Giveaway in August 2022. Lemons of Love (Mount Prospect) supports those impacted by cancer through personalized care packages, free programs, and ongoing support. The initial grant helped to fill and deliver 30 Lemons of Love Chemo Care Packages to patients in treatment and support some of their many programs. Peer Plus Education & Training Advocates (Chicago) offers programs designed to consider cultural backgrounds, aiming to address the various complex challenges faced by individuals who require vital healthcare, educational, and psychosocial support. The initial funds were used to co-sponsor four Back-to-School festivals, and to participate as a community resource vendor at the 5th Annual "Taste of Gospel." "Having these charities share their updates and stories with us was incredibly moving. We are honored to support them and all that they do for their communities," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on Business Wire and Yahoo!

Funds will support free meals, wellness checks, medical transportation, and other critical services to individuals and families in need. The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPCIL) has received an unrestricted $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group, a Chicago-area investment firm that recently launched a monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Headquartered in Lincoln, Illinois, CAPCIL’s mission is “to empower persons with low income and the aged” with numerous vital services to thousands of families across five counties. As an Essential Business under Governor Pritzker’s executive orders, the organization has continued to operate and serve the community throughout the public health crisis. The agency’s efforts have been especially impactful during the pandemic. CAPCIL’s Meals on Wheels program delivers nutritious food to elderly individuals, a population that is particularly vulnerable to the virus. The organization also operates food pantry co-ops at six different locations. In addition to its nutrition services, CAPCIL provides job training and career planning, wellness checks, emergency kits, medical transportation, and many other forms of life-changing assistance to low-income families. Since CAPCIL’s largest annual fundraiser had to be canceled due to COVID-19, the organization has been deprived of much-needed funding. As a result, the agency said that SBB Research Group’s donation could not have come at a better time. “We are grateful to SBB Research Group for offering a financial opportunity to support vital programs and agencies during these challenging times,” said Breann Titus, CAPCIL’s Director of Agency Development. “We are proud to support CAPCIL at this critical time,” said Sam Barnett, Ph.D., SBB Research Group’s CEO. “Giving back to the community is an important value of our firm, and we are pleased to know our support will be put to such good use by CAPCIL’s dedicated team.” For more information about CAPCIL, please visit https://www.capcil.info. To apply for a grant from SBB Research Group, please visit 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

Share Our Spare is the latest recipient of a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group, a Chicago-area investment firm that awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. Serving the Greater Chicago area, Share Our Spare collects and distributes essential baby items to families living in poverty, helping their children thrive early in life. Through its network of dozens of agency partners and corporate sponsors, Share Our Spare provides over 25,000 children with much-needed items such as diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, toys and other critical supplies. Since its founding in 2011, Share Our Spare has become a vital resource for new parents and their children. Alex Goodfellow, Executive Director of Share Our Spare, said they are “grateful to be chosen by SBB Research Group for their generous monthly COVID-19 grant program” and the funds will help “ensure every child has the essentials they need to thrive in the first five years of life.” In particular, Share Our Spare is combating an unmet diaper need that affects one in three children in Chicago, and the urgency of this issue has only increased with the economic uncertainty from COVID-19. This year, Share Our Spare has distributed over 500,000 diapers to local families in need. Matt Aven, SBB Research Group’s COO and a father of two, said he cannot imagine how difficult it would be to take care of young children without the essential supplies like diapers and wipes. “Share Our Spare has a tangible and immediate impact on the families they serve,” said Aven. “We are honored to contribute to their efforts.” For more information about Share Our Spare, please visit shareourspare.org. To apply for a grant from SBB Research Group, please visit 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 can be found on ED Times

Chicago-based investment management firm’s national scholarship program helps students create lasting impact through the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). SBB Research Group, a Chicago-based investment management firm, has named Aishwarya Atmakuri as the recipient of the company’s inaugural SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship. The $5,000 award 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 are thrilled for Aishwarya and could not have imagined a more deserving individual to receive our first scholarship,” said Sam Barnett, Ph.D., SBB Research Group’s founder and CEO. Selected from more than 1,600 applicants, Aishwarya Atmakuri is a sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), studying Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology with a minor in Global Health. Since beginning her studies at UCLA, Aishwarya has continued her involvement in cancer research and strives to help others through the power of medicine and healthcare. This includes working with the Fellowship for International Service and Health, a student-run organization that provides health and educational services to Maclovio Rojas, an underserved community near Tijuana, Mexico. She also works on improving the quality of patient care through quantitative research with The Healthcare Improvement & Innovation in Quality (THINQ) Collaborative at UCLA. Aishwarya plans to utilize technology to increase access to healthcare through advancements in telemedicine and affordable medications. “The level of passion and commitment Aishwarya has already shown toward science, medicine, and her community is truly inspiring,” said Matt Aven, the firm’s COO and CCO. “We hope our STEM Scholarship propels Aishwarya’s efforts to improve the health and lives of others.” Four additional finalist recipients will be named in the coming weeks and each will receive $1,000. To be eligible for the SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship, applicants needed to be full-time students pursuing a degree in STEM, 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. SBB Research Group also plans to launch the next round of its scholarship program on November 8, 2020, which is recognized as National STEM Day. For more information and to learn how to apply for the SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship, please visit https://www.sbbscholarship.com/. This story was featured on ED Times