SBB Research Group Foundation

What SBB Research Group Foundation does

SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area (Northbrook, Illinois) and established in 2010 as the philanthropic arm of SBB Research Group LLC, a Chicago-based investment management firm founded the same year by Sam Barnett, Ph.D. The Foundation operates three recurring programs: (1) a monthly Grant Program that awards $5,000 to a selected 501(c)(3) nonprofit and $1,000 to each finalist, with preference for organizations of 5–49 full-time employees serving human services, education, and community needs; (2) a STEM Scholarship Program that awards $2,500 to students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees, administered through a dedicated website (sbbscholarship.com); and (3) a Champion A Charity Program that engages SBB Research Group LLC employees with 20+ strategic nonprofit partners through structured volunteer and fundraising activities.

The Foundation's business model is that of a privately funded corporate foundation: it does not solicit public donations, does not run earned-revenue programs, and is entirely supported by contributions from its parent SBB Research Group LLC. Grantmaking is highly distributed — over 63 distinct charitable organizations have received grants since inception, spanning youth development, mental health, education, disability services, animal welfare, veteran support, environmental conservation, and global health/water access (including Surge for Water in Uganda and the World Wildlife Fund in the Northern Great Plains). The Foundation amplifies its impact through press-release distribution via GlobeNewswire, Business Wire, and PRWeb for every monthly award, using earned media as a brand-building channel that also benefits the parent firm.

The underlying technology and intellectual property reside with the parent rather than the Foundation: SBB Research Group LLC is described as a systematic, algorithm-driven investment management firm, and founder Sam Barnett, Ph.D. (Caltech-trained in applied and computational mathematics) holds multiple patents in neuroscience and healthcare technologies. The Foundation's own technology footprint is limited to a Wix-based website, a grant application portal, and a separate scholarship microsite; there is no proprietary platform, no AI/ML deployment, and no disclosed data assets at the Foundation level.

Name

SBB Research Group Foundation

Legal name

SBB Research Group Foundation

Website

https://www.sbbrg.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SBB Research Group Foundation is a Chicago-area 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, established in 2010 as the philanthropic arm of SBB Research Group LLC, that awards $5,000 monthly grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, $2,500 STEM scholarships to students, and runs a Champion A Charity employee volunteer program with 20+ nonprofit partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation and Grantmaking Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Charitable grant program
• Nonprofit foundation giving
• STEM scholarship awards
• Employee volunteer philanthropy
• Community grantmaking services

Headquarters

HQ city

Northbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Charitable Grant Program: The foundation provides monthly grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Winners receive $5,000 grants, and finalists receive $1,000 grants. The foundation also provides STEM scholarships of $2,500 to students.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that operates a monthly Grant Program awarding $5,000 to selected 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and $1,000 to finalists, a STEM Scholarship program providing $2,500 to qualifying students, and a Champion A Charity Program that pairs parent-company employees with nonprofit partners for volunteer and philanthropic engagement. The Foundation is funded by contributions from its parent, SBB Research Group LLC, and supports organizations addressing unmet needs in human services, education, youth development, mental health, and related areas.

Product overview

SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a charitable foundation with three main programs: the monthly Grant Program awarding $5,000 to nonprofits, the STEM Scholarship providing $2,500 to students in science and technology fields, and the Champion A Charity Program facilitating employee volunteering with nonprofit partners. The Foundation supports ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SBB Research Group STEM Scholarship: A scholarship program encouraging and empowering students pursuing higher learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
• Champion A Charity Program

Products and services

• SBB Research Group Foundation Grant Program A monthly grant program that awards $5,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and $1,000 to finalists, with a structured review process and formal video conference presentations. Preference is given to Illinois-based and Chicago-area nonprofits with 5-49 full-time employees serving human services, education, youth development, mental health, disability services, and community support.
• SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship A scholarship program awarding $2,500 to students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary combinations of STEM fields. Students apply through sbbscholarship.com with 500-word essays on their STEM experiences and how they will use STEM to improve the world.
• Champion A Charity Program

Named customers16 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Angel Network FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner through the Champion a Charity Program. Honors and supports veterans and seniors who have been the cornerstone of the community through volunteer efforts and community initiatives.
• DKMScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner committed to combating blood cancers and disorders through awareness campaigns and donor recruitment. Covers registration costs and organizes donor drives.
• Neponset Rowing ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner sharing the joy and life-changing benefits of rowing with diverse communities. Student-athletes cultivate discipline, determination, and physical prowess through teamwork and rowing excellence.
• Scratch FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner developing creative coding technologies and providing creative learning experiences so children from all walks of life can express their ideas through coding.
• Automotive Mentoring GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner teaching 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. Has helped more than 300 young people since 2007.
• Heartland Animal SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner, a no-kill animal rescue and adoption shelter dedicated to providing life-saving care to the most vulnerable dogs and cats until finding them permanent, loving homes.
• Renaissance Knights Chess FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner leveraging the power of chess to foster the positive development of Chicago's youth. Students learn to win and lose gracefully, building resilience and confidence.
• United Relief FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner comprising unpaid leaders, board members, and veteran advisors united in their commitment to serving those who served in the US Armed Forces.
• Chicago ScholarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner providing academically ambitious, first-generation college students with support, mentorship programs, college counseling, and workshops to navigate the transition into college and beyond.
• Mass Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner, the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Focused on land protection, wildlife conservation, environmental advocacy, and providing inclusive access to nature.
• SALUTE, INC.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner dedicated to serving the financial, physical, and emotional needs of injured military members, veterans, and their families at the most critical time.
• Women United of Lake CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic nonprofit partner, a powerful network of women leveraging their passions, ideas, expertise, and resources to create lasting change in Lake County, Illinois. Provides students with critical support and resources.
• Zacharias Sexual Abuse CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner of the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, supporting their mission to address sexual abuse prevention and survivor support.
• World Wildlife Fund (Northern Great Plains)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner of the World Wildlife Fund in the Northern Great Plains, supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
• Surge for Water (Uganda)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner of Surge for Water in Uganda, working in water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health in several countries. Foundation donates to support their annual gala and initiatives.
• Greater Chicago K-12 Chess ChampionshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of the annual Greater Chicago K-12 Chess Championship, supporting youth chess education and competition.
• Charles River ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in a volunteer event to support environmental stewardship around the Charles River in Chicago, involving litter removal, bench painting, and invasive vine removal.
• American Legion Post 75minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsored a volunteer initiative to upgrade American Legion Post 75 in Geneva, Illinois, providing sound baffling and safety improvements.
• Center for Enriched LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Champion A Charity Program. Provides programs and services that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead meaningful, connected lives.
• Surge for WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated to Surge for Water at their annual gala in Chicago. The nonprofit works in water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health in several countries.
• The Dragonfly FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on a volunteer initiative as part of the Champion A Charity Program. Foundation is dedicated to providing emotional, financial, and practical support to children and families impacted by pediatric cancer.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Driehaus Foundation: Chicago-based family foundation that supports nonprofits across human services, education, and the arts through recurring grant cycles. Comparable to SBB Research Group Foundation in geography, organizational scale, and grantmaking-only operating model focused on community impact.
• Prince Charitable Trusts: Chicago-based private foundation providing grants to nonprofits in human services, education, and arts. Comparable to SBB Research Group Foundation as a similarly sized Chicago grantmaking foundation with a defined program of recurring awards to 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Polk Bros Foundation: Chicago-area private foundation focused on human services, education, and community development across the Chicago region. Comparable to SBB Research Group Foundation in regional focus, grantee segment (small-to-mid nonprofits), and recurring grantmaking model.
• Crown Family Philanthropies: Chicago-based family philanthropy supporting education, human services, and Jewish community causes through sustained grant programs. Comparable to SBB Research Group Foundation in Chicago-area focus and structured recurring grantmaking to community-serving nonprofits.

Broad incumbents

• The Chicago Community Trust: The Chicago region's largest community foundation, aggregating donor contributions and distributing grants across the metropolitan area. Comparable as a Chicago-based grantmaking entity, but operates at substantially greater scale and asset base than SBB Research Group Foundation.
• Citadel Foundation: The philanthropic arm of Citadel LLC, a Chicago-based financial firm, supporting education, workforce development, and community programs. Directly comparable as a corporate foundation of a Chicago financial services firm, though operating at far larger scale.
• Goldman Sachs Foundation: Corporate foundation of Goldman Sachs supporting education, entrepreneurship, and community development. Comparable to SBB Research Group Foundation as the grantmaking arm of an investment management firm, though operating at materially larger scale and global reach.
• JPMorgan Chase Foundation: Corporate foundation of JPMorgan Chase supporting workforce development, small business, and community initiatives. Comparable to SBB Research Group Foundation as a large investment management firm's philanthropic vehicle, though at substantially greater asset and program scale.

Regional players

• United Way of Metro Chicago: Chicago-area nonprofit aggregator funding human services, education, and community programs across the metropolitan region. Comparable in regional focus and nonprofit-grantee overlap, though operates through donor aggregation rather than direct corporate philanthropy.

Others

• Schwab Charitable: A national donor-advised fund and grantmaking vehicle affiliated with Charles Schwab, supporting a broad range of nonprofit recipients. Thematically adjacent to SBB Research Group Foundation as a structured grantmaking entity, though operates on a donor-advised fund model rather than a corporate foundation model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sbbrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SBBRG
• Instagraminstagram.com/sbbrgfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sbb-research-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments32 records

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Frequently asked questions about SBB Research Group Foundation