Federal Government Relations

Decisions made at the federal level of government significantly impact your business. NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team fights for pro-small business policies and against anti-small business policies in Congress and federal agencies. We track and analyze legislation and regulations that will, directly and indirectly, affect small business owners’ ability to operate and grow their businesses. NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team serves as a connection between NFIB members and federal policymakers on important issues. NFIB takes positions on federal legislation based on ballots submitted by NFIB members indicating their priorities, as well as NFIB Research Center surveys of NFIB members. NFIB uses member feedback to advocate for good small business policies and against bad small business policies.

The Federal Government Relations provides numerous benefits to NFIB members, we:

• Ballot members twice annually, allowing each small business owner to vote their position on federal policies and regulations. Our one member, one vote policy means each member has equal input in identifying NFIB’s legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Directly lobby members of Congress, Senators, and Congressional staff on NFIB member priorities.
• Connect NFIB members to federal officials through action alerts, member meetings, in-person events, and testimony opportunities.
• Track NFIB Key Votes to hold legislators accountable on small business issues that matter to our members.
• Provide “How Congress Voted” reports to raise awareness of how members of Congress vote on small business issues.

Learn more and get involved at our Policy Advocacy website.

State Government Relations

Whether you’re in a small state, a large one, or somewhere in between, you’re part of a nationwide group of hundreds of thousands of NFIB members, and your influence in your state is undeniable. Together with NFIB, small business owners are engaged in legislative, political, and grassroots efforts that make an impact on state legislative and regulatory decisions made by elected officials. Every state is key to our success in fighting for the interests of small business owners. For example:

• One member, one vote. NFIB’s annual balloting system allows each small business owner to vote their position on state policies and regulations, meaning each member has equal input into their state’s legislative and regulatory priorities.
• A dedicated state director in every state fights for members’ needs and concerns, provides resources, and connects you with state legislators.
• Local events, such as Small Business Days at the Capitol and small business roundtable events, connect you with other small business owners and legislators in your state. Sometimes we even challenge state legislators to go work in a member’s business for a day!
• Grassroots leaders in every state give you easy ways to engage.
• News and resources, including state Voting Records, keep you informed and hold lawmakers accountable for their votes on small business issues.

Learn more about small business issues and NFIB in your state.

Grassroots Action

As a small business owner, your voice matters because no one knows your business and your story like you. When you share the real impact that laws and regulations have on your business, employees, family, and community, legislators listen. Every day, NFIB works to ensure the voice of small business is heard by state and federal legislators, candidates, regulators, the media, and the public. We are most impactful when it comes directly from business owners like you. That’s why NFIB makes it easy for you to take action and be heard. NFIB empowers you with tools and support, so you can engage the right decision-makers on issues important to you and your business.

• State and Federal Action Alerts allow you to seamlessly email and call legislators.
• Surveys collect your thoughts and experiences to help guide NFIB.
• Events provide you the opportunity to engage directly with legislators and candidates.
• Testifying and speaking to the media educates others on the small business perspective.
• Our Engage Mobile App keeps you informed and is an invaluable tool for any business owner.

Grassroots action by NFIB members has resulted in victories at the state and federal level, advocating for and fighting against legislation, laws, and regulations that impact small businesses. But there’s still much work to be done.

Visit our Advocacy Center to see how you can be a small business advocate!

Political Team

Decisions made at every level of government can impact your business. NFIB’s Political team raises political action funds separate from NFIB membership dues and fights to elect candidates who will be the best advocates for NFIB’s members – because good policy depends on the election of pro-small business candidates. NFIB’s work to elect and re-elect pro-small business candidates is among the most effective and recognized political programs in the business community. Our history of success means candidates at all levels of government seek NFIB’s support because they recognize the NFIB network of Small Business Voters is essential to a successful campaign. Our political action committees are fueled by donations outside of NFIB membership dues and endorse candidates who are pro-small business. Whether they are incumbents, candidates running for an open seat, or challengers seeking to unseat an anti-small business officeholder.

NFIB gets involved in elections in several ways, we:

• Educate voters on the issues that matter the most to small business.
• Support voter registration and early voting by providing resources and information.
• Mobilize the grassroots network of Small Business Voters, including in-person visits to NFIB members to remind them about upcoming elections and provide early voting and polling site information.
• Launch ad campaigns to support our endorsed candidates.
• Contribute financially to pro-small business candidates.

Learn more and support this work at our Election Center.

Small Business Legal Center

Your business’ legal questions need answers, whether you’re looking for tip sheets and templates like an employee handbook, one-page guidance on telework pay, or anything in between. The NFIB Small Business Legal Center delivers vital information to America’s small businesses and fights for their rights in the courts.

The Legal Center’s most popular resources include answers to questions, such as:

• What do I need to know about the federal wage and hour laws?
• Where do I start if want to make a handbook of employee policies?
• Is my worker an employee or an independent contractor?
• What are the most common small business tax deductions that could save me money?
• How long should I keep personnel files?
• What are my rights and responsibilities during a union organizing campaign?
• And many more!

In addition to the many resources available, the Legal Center protects the rights of America’s small business owners in the courts with a focus on precedent-setting legal cases that will influence small business’ bottom line.

Learn more about the Small Business Legal Center.

Small Business Research

NFIB’s nation-leading research program provides key resources for small business owners and informs newsmakers and lawmakers on the combined priorities of small business owners nationwide. The NFIB Research Center digs into the details of policies that impact businesses like yours and develops webinars and resources that simplify the complex – so you can get back to your business. The Research Center also surveys NFIB members and publishes trusted reports that are must-have resources for newsmakers and lawmakers nationwide. The Research Center explains the policy-related problems small business owners’ encounter.

Popular tools and reports include:

• Webinars explain pertinent trends and provide guides for small business owners.
• Small Business Economic Trends reports delivered monthly provide lawmakers with insights into the biggest issues small businesses are facing and uncover owners’ responses to economic and policy changes.
• Small business Jobs reports on hiring outlooks are produced monthly with decades of history.
• An every-four-years Small Business Problems and Priorities report.

Taken on its own, America’s small business economy is the third largest economy in the world. It creates half of America’s new jobs and nearly half of the country’s economic growth. When leaders in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and Wall Street want a pulse on the small business economy, the NFIB Research Center is their source.

Learn more and access the Research Center’s reports and resources.

Member Offers

You’ve told us what products and services you need to help your business run smoothly. With that in mind, NFIB’s Member Services team is constantly negotiating with providers to help your business grow. The collective buying power of NFIB’s hundreds of thousands of small business owners means you may save thousands of dollars each year through NFIB’s Member Offers. Several of these offers are also available to your employees at no additional cost to you.

Member-exclusive offers include:

• Financial and business products and services. Take advantage of discounts on computers and technology, shipping, payment processing, payroll, and more.
• Insurance. Enjoy access to and potential savings on individual and group insurance, and more.

As a part of the NFIB community, you have access to products and services that have been vetted by NFIB’s Member Services team.

Join fellow NFIB members, some of whom are saving up to $5,000 per year through our member offers.