SBB Research Group is recognizing three Chicago-area charities as the September 2021 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): Center of Concern (Des Plaines) offers vital resources for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families searching for housing. Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (Lake Forest) operates inclusive recreation and fitness programs to support the development and well-being of individuals with physical or visual disabilities. Haven Youth & Family Services (Wilmette) provides prevention, intervention, and counseling services for children and families in the local community. 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 awards. Each finalist will receive at least a $1,000 donation. Last month, GiveNKind received a $5,000 grant to connect organizations with quality goods from individuals and businesses, providing nonprofits resources to focus on critical operations and programs. The funds will significantly increase the number of donated products GiveNKind will provide to their nonprofit partners this holiday season. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on Yahoo! Finance.

The Firehouse Community Arts Center has received a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. “Youth violence is an issue that affects people from all walks of life” The Firehouse Community Arts Center engages young people through events and programs that focus on violence prevention in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. The organization offers activities across several disciplines, including dance, music, film, and culinary arts. For over 30 years, Firehouse CEO and Founder Pastor Phil Jackson has served at-risk youth and young adults to introduce them to different opportunities and resources. The Firehouse staff cultivates meaningful relationships with individuals through an intensive workforce development program, where young men receive mentoring and job training to prepare them for long-term success. The Firehouse Community Arts Center will use the grant from SBBRG to offer members unique experiences in other neighborhoods across the country. Pastor Jackson noted that "this exposure can show these young men that there is another world where violence is not a regular way of life." The grant will also help expand the workforce development program, allowing The Firehouse to provide individuals with paid job opportunities. "SBBRG's support allows another layer to be removed so that youth can see themselves at their full potential," continued Pastor Jackson. “Youth violence is an issue that affects people from all walks of life,” said Dan Margulies, SBBRG’s Lead Tactician, who recently lost a friend to violence. “SBBRG is proud to support the Firehouse Community Arts Center's mission to work with at-risk youth and support the broader community.” For more information about The Firehouse Community Arts Center, visit https://thefcac.org/about/. 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 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 Survey of College Graduates? Science and engineering capabilities drive innovation and economic growth in the U.S. and form the basis of our competitive advantage. According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. performs the largest share of global research and development (R&D), generates the largest share of R&D-intensive industry output, and accounts for a substantial percentage of science and engineering research articles and citations worldwide. The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering within the National Science Foundation, is a biennial panel survey that provides data on the nation’s college graduates, focusing on the science and engineering workforce. The NSCG examines the relationship between college degrees and employment in addition to other characteristics of college-educated individuals, including salary, student loan debt, work activities, and demographic information. The survey evaluates approximately 164,000 college graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree. How is the Data Used? The survey data provides essential information about the education and career paths of the nation’s college graduates. In addition, this data is used to make informed decisions about using limited research, education, and job training resources: Government policymakers and labor economists use the data to understand the supply and demand for workers in science and technical fields. Employers in education, industry, and the government look at employment opportunities and salaries to evaluate equal opportunity efforts. University administrators and academic researchers make educational policy decisions and changes to technical and scientific curricula. Students use the survey to choose a college major or examine career opportunities. This survey is also included in two congressionally mandated reports exploring trends within the science and engineering workforce: Science and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, Source: www.census.gov/programs-surveys/nscg.html

Fill a Heart 4 Kids has received a $5,000 grant from SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. Fill a Heart 4 Kids provides support, supplies, and a sense of community to homeless and foster children in Illinois. The organization’s mission is to help these children receive the attention and care critical to their wellbeing. “We believe in giving these children positive experiences they otherwise would not have access to so they can have a brighter future,” said founder Ann McAveeney. “We believe in giving these children positive experiences they otherwise would not have access to so they can have a brighter future,” said founder Ann McAveeney. SBBRG’s grant will enable Fill a Heart 4 Kids to provide children in need with essential school supplies for the upcoming academic year. The organization provides school supplies to 1,200 children, including 850 foster and homeless youth. With the help of over 6,000 community volunteers, these items are delivered directly to those in need through the Fill a Heart mobile school supply pantry. McAveeney continued, “This investment will help at-risk youth to feel proud, excited, prepared, and ready to learn on the first day of school.” In addition to school supplies, Fill a Heart 4 Kids provides children with personal tutoring, weekly meals, care packages, and opportunities to attend special events. “Fill a Heart 4 Kids provides children and young adults in need with essentials that are crucial to their development,” said Matt Aven, SBBRG’s COO. For more information about Fill a Heart 4 Kids, visit https://www.fillaheart4kids.org/. 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.

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