Investment firm launches monthly grant program to assist impactful nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago, May 31, 2020 – The pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of society, and the nonprofit sector has been one of the hardest hit. Before the stay-at-home orders in Illinois, SBB Research Group regularly volunteered for local charities, sponsored and attended fundraisers, and helped raise awareness for underserved causes. After the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chicago-area investment firm has continued to support nonprofit organizations through sponsorships, but its in-person volunteer activities have not been possible under the required social distancing guidelines. Gallup recently reported decreases in both volunteering and donations in the United States, and the percentage of people donating to charity has fallen to a historic low. In an effort to continue its monthly support and engagement with impactful nonprofits, SBB Research Group is inviting organizations to apply for $5,000 grants, which will be awarded on a monthly basis starting in July and continuing through the rest of 2020. 5-Minute Online Application for $5,000 Grants SBB Research Group recognizes that organizations have limited time and resources already, so the grant application has been designed to be easy and efficient—just 10 short questions. The application and details of the monthly candidate selection and award process are available online at https://www.sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. The deadline for the July 2020 grants is June 30, 2020. Who Can Apply? Any 501(c)(3) organization may apply, but preference will be given to: organizations that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations that provide aid or services addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations with five to forty-nine full-time employees, and organizations operating in the greater Chicago area. Examples of Organizations Supported by SBB Research Group SBB Research Group is a proud supporter of many different charitable organizations. Some areas of focus include education (e.g., Alliance for Decision Education, Bernie’s Book Bank, and Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship) and social services (e.g., Feed My Starving Children, Surge for Water, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center). In addition, the firm offers a scholarship for students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The original press release has been republished throughout the country (e.g., AL, AZ, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, ME, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) and any 501(c)(3) organization in the US may apply for these grants.

Twenty SBB Research Group employees and friends volunteered at Bernie's Book Bank in Lake Bluff, Illinois to pack thousands of books for underserved children in the greater Chicago area. Since its founding in 2009, Bernie's Book Bank has distributed over 17 million children's books. Now, the organization provides the community over 3 million books per year and relies on over 40,000 volunteers to execute its mission. SBB Research Group is proud to support Bernie's Book Bank as volunteers and donors. To learn more about this organization, please visit www.berniesbookbank.org and consider donating books, time, and money to help hundreds of thousands of children.

SBB Research Group's sponsorship enables all participating CPS students to receive one-year USCF memberships as well as free tournament entries. Read more at https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/20/01/n15192683/sbb-research-group-sponsors-greater-chicago-k-12-chess-championship-for-sixth-year SBB Research Group has proudly sponsored the Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship every year since the tournament's inception. Prior to that, the firm sponsored the SBB Research Group Scholastic Open, also in partnership with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation. Read more at US Chess Federation and Kasparov Chess Foundation.

SBB Research Group's partnership with Surge for Water has provided 1,953 people in Abola, Uganda with access to clean water. “The entire community sends their thanks to SBB Research Group for caring about them, and we are thrilled that our partnership and the generosity of Matthew Aven and Sam Barnett has allowed for this community to gain access to water and safety.” - Ashley Quinlan, Program Coordinator, Surge for Water Read more at https://surgeforwater.org/partnership-with-sbb-research-group-brings-access-to-safe-water/ For information on SBB Research Group's prior work with Surge for Water, read more at https://surgeforwater.org/sbb-research-group-surge-team-up-to-bring-water-to-rural-uganda/

SBB Research Group proudly sponsors and participates in the annual 5K walk supporting Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center on April 14, 2019. Read more at Chicago Tribune: Libertyville runners brave snow for a good cause “We have zero tolerance for sexual assault,” said Sandeep Navalgund of Chicago, principal engineer and associate counsel with SBB Research Group LLC of Northbrook. More than one dozen of Navalgund’s colleagues participated, he said. “We’re happy to do it,” Navalgund said, who added his company was poised, “to do this for the cause,” despite the pending blizzard.

SBB Research Group is a proud supporter of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the organization's efforts in the Northern Great Plains to save black-footed ferrets. The sylvatic plague has jeopardized the very existence of black-footed ferrets, "one of the most endangered mammals in North America," according to the WWF. SBB Research Group has partnered with Kristy Bly, a Senior Wildlife Conservation Biologist for WWF's Northern Great Plains Program, to develop and implement new ways to mitigate the plague. In particular, the team is assessing vaccine baits for black-footed ferrets' prey, prairie dogs. They are also attempting to control fleas on prairie dogs using fipronil, the primary ingredient in Frontline® Plus products for domestic dogs. "WWF is grateful to our partners—including SBB Research Group— who support black-footed ferret recovery in the Northern Great Plains." Read more on pages 6-7 of the WWF's Northern Great Plains Donor Report: