What Small Business Advocacy Council does

The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) is a non-partisan, member-driven nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It exists to promote the success of small businesses across Illinois — particularly in Chicago and Cook County — through four core functions: providing a unified political voice at local, state, and federal levels; facilitating cooperative networking and strategic partnerships among entrepreneurs; delivering educational programming on best business practices; and offering exclusive member benefits to lower operating costs. The organization serves Illinois's approximately 1.3 million businesses with fewer than 20 employees, and has secured tangible legislative outcomes including 2023 health insurance legislation aimed at stabilizing premiums and increasing transparency for small businesses.

SBAC's portfolio comprises multiple advocacy programs rather than a single product. These include the SBAC Wire policy news publication, the annual Advocacy Awards, the Young Professionals Group, the Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC, founded 2021) for Cook County commercial corridor revitalization, the We Rise Together grant program (with $12,500 storefront grants co-developed with Allies for Community Business and funded by the Chicago Community Trust), and policy frameworks such as the Chicago Small Business Bill of Rights and the State and Federal Advocacy Agenda. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its capabilities are policy expertise, legislative advocacy, community organizing, and educational programming.

SBAC operates a membership-based revenue model with two publicly disclosed tiers: SBAC Supporter at $75/year and SBAC Leader at $300/year, supplemented by a multi-tier corporate sponsorship program (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Promoter) featuring partners such as Saul Ewing LLP, Lexitas, Wintrust, Byline Bank, and Peck Ritchey. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on direct membership enrollment, content marketing via SBAC Wire, organic social media, earned media, and a dense event calendar including legislative forums, networking mixers, and the annual Advocacy Awards.

Name

Small Business Advocacy Council

Legal name

Small Business Advocacy Council

Website

https://smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) is a non-partisan, member-driven nonprofit that advocates for Illinois small businesses through legislative representation, networking, educational programming, and grant programs, with revenue from tiered membership dues and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Advocacy Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Small business advocacy
• Policy advocacy services
• Membership association services
• Legislative advocacy programs
• Business networking community

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The SBAC generates revenue primarily through membership fees. Two tiers are offered: SBAC Leaders at $300 per year and SBAC Supporters at $75 per year. Leader benefits include free event attendance, 10% discounts on fundraising events, profile directory placement, SBAC Leaders badge, monthly social media and newsletter exposure, and committee leadership roles. Supporter benefits include free event attendance, SBAC badge, social media shout-outs, and access to committee and community events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) is a non-partisan, member-driven nonprofit that delivers political advocacy, cooperative networking, idea sharing, and educational programming for Illinois small businesses. Its core deliverable is tiered annual membership (SBAC Leader at $300/year and SBAC Supporter at $75/year) providing members with legislative representation, free event access, directory listings, marketing exposure, committee participation, and exclusive discount benefits.

Product overview

The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) is a non-partisan, member-driven organization that promotes the success of small businesses through political advocacy, support services, and educational programs. Rather than offering a traditional product, the SBAC provides a portfolio of advocacy services and programs including: the SBAC Wire news publication for policy analysis, the annual Advocacy Awards program, the Young Professionals Group networking community, the We Rise Together grant program providing $12,500 grants and coaching, the Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC) for Cook County commercial corridor revitalization, the Chicago Small Business Bill of Rights policy framework, State and Federal Advocacy Agenda initiatives (health insurance reform, job creation tax credits, employee ownership grants), Chicago/Cook County local advocacy (debt check reform, special use reform), a Grants and Incentives portal, and Regulatory Updates service. These programs work together to provide Illinois small businesses with advocacy voice, networking opportunities, educational resources, grant funding access, and member benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SBAC Wire: Illinois small business advocacy news publication written by SBAC President Elliot Richardson and guest contributors, offering analysis and commentary on policies that shape the Illinois small business climate.
• Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC)

Products and services

• SBAC Leader Membership
• SBAC Supporter Membership
• We Rise Together Program
• SBAC Young Professionals Group

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2023, the SBAC secured the enactment of health insurance legislation focused on stabilizing premiums for small businesses and increasing transparency.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Saul Ewing LLPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSaul Ewing LLP is a Gold Partner of the SBAC. It is a full-service national employment law firm that provides legal services to the small business community. Saul Ewing staff serve on the SBAC Board of Advisors and actively support SBAC advocacy initiatives.
• LexitascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLexitas is a Gold Partner of the SBAC, offering highly responsive professional legal services. Lexitas staff serve on the SBAC Board of Advisors and actively support SBAC advocacy initiatives.
• Rocky Top GetawaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRocky Top Getaway is a Silver Partner of the SBAC, offering cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains for SBAC members. Founder Victor Miceli serves on the SBAC Executive Board of Directors.
• Wintrust Bank N.A.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWintrust Bank N.A. is a Silver Partner of the SBAC, providing commercial and business banking services, SBA and USDA business loans to small businesses. Wintrust staff serve on the SBAC Board of Advisors and actively support SBAC advocacy initiatives.
• Peck Ritchey LLCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPeck Ritchey LLC is a Silver Partner of the SBAC, specializing in probate estate planning, guardianship special needs planning, and elder law. The firm supports SBAC advocacy and member services.
• Byline BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerByline Bank is a Silver Partner of the SBAC, providing commercial and business banking services nationwide including SBA and USDA business loans. Byline Bank staff serve on the SBAC Board of Advisors.
• IHT Wealth ManagementsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIHT Wealth Management is a Bronze Partner of the SBAC, providing wealth management and financial planning services. Alona Anspach of IHT Wealth Management serves on the SBAC Board of Advisors.
• InterprenetsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInterprenet is a Bronze Partner of the SBAC, providing interpretation services across all industries. CEO David Medrano serves on the SBAC Board of Advisors.
• SpeedProsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeedPro is a Bronze Partner of the SBAC, providing large format digital graphics including corporate décor, event signage, and vehicle wraps. Staff serve on the SBAC Board of Advisors.
• NtivasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNtiva is a Promoter-level partner of the SBAC, providing IT support and technology services to SBAC members.
• von BriesensupportingGTM or Marketing Partnervon Briesen is a Promoter-level partner of the SBAC, providing legal services. Jeff Van Winkle serves on the SBAC Board of Advisors.
• Richardson SeatingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRichardson Seating is a Promoter-level partner of the SBAC, providing commercial seating solutions.
• Living Well PsychotherapysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLiving Well Psychotherapy is a Promoter-level partner of the SBAC, providing mental health services.
• Open One SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOpen One Solutions is a Promoter-level partner of the SBAC, providing VoIP services for small to midsize businesses. Founder Robert Harney serves on the SBAC Board of Advisors.
• Allies for Community Business (A4CB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllies for Community Business (A4CB) co-launched the We Rise Together program with the SBAC, connecting small business owners with vacant brick-and-mortar spaces in underinvested Chicago neighborhoods. A4CB administers the Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation Program grants and provides coaching services to program participants.
• Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NRC, founded by the SBAC in 2021, is a coalition of over 20 chambers of commerce and community development organizations across Cook County. Partners include: Englewood Chamber of Commerce, South Shore Chamber, North Lawndale Chamber of Commerce, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Greater AGCDC, The Southwest Collective, Uptown Chamber of Commerce, Woodlawn Chamber, and others. The coalition advocates for policies to revitalize commercial corridors in Cook County.
• Chicago Small Business Bill of Rights Endorsing OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 20 chambers of commerce, business organizations, and development corporations have endorsed the Chicago Small Business Bill of Rights, including: Belmont-Central Chamber, Edgewater Chamber, Gladstone Park Chamber, Greater Englewood Chamber, Jefferson Park Chamber, Lakeview East Chamber, Lincoln Park Chamber, Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber, Logan Square Chamber, Rogers Park Chamber, South Shore Chamber, Uptown Chamber, Woodlawn Chamber, and others.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): The largest U.S. small business advocacy organization with state-level chapters and political lobbying capabilities. Directly comparable to SBAC in mission (small business political voice), though operating at national scale with a much larger membership and dedicated PAC.
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce: Statewide business membership organization in Illinois that conducts legislative advocacy, networking, and policy work. Directly comparable to SBAC geographically and in advocacy function, though it represents businesses of all sizes rather than focusing on small business.
• Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Regional Chicago business association providing advocacy, networking, and member services. Comparable in geography and member-services model, though broader in business size scope than SBAC's small business focus.
• Small Business Majority: National small business advocacy organization that conducts research, polling, and policy advocacy on behalf of small businesses. Directly comparable to SBAC in policy advocacy and small business focus, though operating at a national rather than state level.
• Main Street Alliance: National network of small business owners advocating for pro-small business policies. Comparable in grassroots advocacy model and small business member base, though Main Street Alliance tends toward more progressive policy positions.

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free mentorship, education, and resources to small businesses. Comparable to SBAC's educational programming and small business support mission, though SCORE's model centers on volunteer mentoring rather than political advocacy.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The largest U.S. business federation with extensive lobbying and advocacy capabilities. Comparable in advocacy mission but operates at national scale, represents businesses of all sizes, and has substantially greater resources.

Others

• Goldstein & Associates / Alliant Credit Union SBA Lending Partners: Banking and financial services partners like Wintrust and Byline Bank that serve SBAC's small business members with SBA loans. Comparable only as ecosystem partners addressing one of the pain points (capital access) that SBAC advocates on.

Regional players

• Cook County Chamber of Commerce Coalition: The Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition that SBAC itself founded, which includes 20+ local chambers (Englewood, South Shore, North Lawndale, Austin, etc.) in Cook County. Comparable as peer advocacy bodies serving overlapping small business communities.

Emerging players

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): National membership organization for women business owners providing advocacy, education, and networking. Comparable in member-services and small business focus, though with a specific demographic constituency rather than broad small business membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sbacil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyeVdZDvNZTB4A_w3jszMmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/smallbusinessadvocacycouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/842357
• Instagraminstagram.com/sbacil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Small Business Advocacy Council