The Local Business Institute is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes thriving local business communities through research, policy work, education, training and community-building programs. The organization focuses on strengthening independently owned businesses and local economic ecosystems at the state and local level.
Local economic development and community-centered economic policy; small business support and resilience (including disaster preparedness and recovery); Buy Local and local procurement policies; entrepreneurship education and workforce development; technical assistance and capacity-building for local business networks and merchant associations.
Primarily funded through grants and foundation support, individual and organizational donations, membership dues, program and course fees, and corporate or community sponsorships.
Founders Rebecca Melançon, Vicky Valdez and Julie Niehoff; advisory and partner relationships with business-network leaders such as Eric Groves (Alignable), LocalFirst member organizations (for example Dane Buy Local) and collaborations with local independent business alliances and related national organizations such as the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
