In 2000, Kellogg MBA candidate Kirby Shimko set out to bring the business acumen and socially conscious culture at Kellogg to the surrounding community. He formed the Neighborhood Business Initiative to provide pro bono consulting services to local non-profits and socially-minded small businesses. 35 students came together to form the organization and that fall NBI undertook its first pro bono consulting assignments.

Since then, NBI has enjoyed remarkable growth. Over the past six years, 450 NBI student consultants have completed a total of 82 consulting engagements. Last year, 130 consultants completed 22 projects for non-profit organizations including Science Olympiad, Chicago Children’s Museum, Campus Kitchens, and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Read about the impact we make on our clients.

In the coming years, NBI will continue to serve the Chicago community by developing strategic solutions for local non-profits. Please let us know if you are interested in becoming a client or becoming a consultant. There is a bright future for NBI and we hope you will join us!