More than the fuel of local economies, Main Street firms also essential for healthy communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Iosua, Hawaii State Director, miosua@mkadvocacy.com
or Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, anthony.malandra@nfib.org

HONOULULU, Nov. 19, 2024—A new report released yesterday by the nation’s leading small-business association showed the much deeper value Hawaii small businesses have for the communities they’re in, a timely reminder as Small Business Saturday approaches November 30.

“Small businesses contribute to the community in a variety of ways including donating time, financial support, and making in-kind contributions in addition to providing jobs,” said Holly Wade, Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center. “This report offers unique insight into the ways in which small businesses and their employees benefit local communities across the country, beyond operating their business. Despite facing economic challenges, small businesses are working hard to shape and enrich their communities.”

According to the 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 also looked at the groups of activities small businesses are part of. The report is a national snapshot of NFIB-member, small-business owners not broken down by state. The typical NFIB member employs between one and nine people and reports gross sales of about $500,000 a year. 

Keep up with the latest Hawaii small-business news at www.nfib.com/hawaii or by following NFIB Hawaii on X @NFIB_HI. 

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For 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven association. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com. 

NFIB Hawaii 

745 Fort Street Mall 17^th Floor 
Honolulu, HI 96813 
808-521-9500 
NFIB.com/HI 

Twitter: @NFIB_HI