New research released by the nation’s leading small-business association, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), showed just how valuable Illinois Main Street enterprises are to local communities, as well as to local economies.

“Small businesses are integral to our communities,” said NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley. “This report confirms what we all know—Main Street businesses invest in their towns, neighborhoods, and schools, making life better for us all.”

According to the 2024 Small Businesses’ Contribution to the Community report:

• “About three-quarters (76 percent) of all small business owners reported volunteering their time to work on behalf of civic groups, charities, youth sports programs, schools, religious organizations, or similar activities in the last 12 months.
• “Financial support was the most common method small businesses used to support their communities … Ninety percent of small business owners have financially supported community or civic groups, charities, youth sports programs, schools, religious organization, or similar activities in the last 12 months.
• “Sixty-three percent of small business owners reported providing in-kind contributions … (e.g., providing a meetings space for a local fundraiser, donating excess inventory for a cause, offering auction items to raise money, etc.).

The report looks at NFIB members’ community engagement and provides a national snapshot of small-business involvement in local communities throughout the U.S. The typical NFIB member employs between one and nine people and reports gross sales of about $500,000 a year.

“In addition to providing jobs and services, small business owners donate time, money, and resources to enrich our communities,” said Finley. “They host benefit trivia nights, sponsor local sports teams, and donate to local charities.”

Noah Finley continued, “Community members can support these small businesses and their local economies by choosing to shop at local Main Street businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.”

Keep up with the latest Illinois small business news at www.nfib.com/illinois or by following us on X at @NFIB_IL.