Become A Member

Our programs and events are designed to allow ample opportunities for prime networking, developing new relationships, strengthening existing relationships, and education. These occur with like-minded individuals facing the myriad of challenges and opportunities that family-owned businesses share.

We have two types of membership:

Family business (any two members in the family who work in the business – spouses, cousins, siblings, parents and children etc. wherein one owner either shares ownership or works in the business with at least one other family member (contemporaneously or overtime) and has a commitment to the continuation of the enterprise)
Associate partners (non-family business members usually service providers like banks, attorneys, coaches and sole proprietors etc.)

Come join the family that will support your family business! Submit your application today or contact Executive Director, Catherine Wygant Fossett:

catherine@fambusiness.org

207.798.2667

View Membership Tiers

Statistics About Family Businesses

80%

80% Maine Made

Family-owned businesses make up 80% of Maine businesses, 80-90% throughout the US.

62%

GDP & Workforce

Create 70-90% of GDP globally annually. Employ 62% of the U.S. workforce.

96%

Exit Strategy

96% of business owners agree it’s important to have an exit strategy. Only 13% have a plan that is current and written.

30/13/3

Transition

There is a 30/13/3 % chance a family-owned business will pass from the 1st to the 4th generation.

Membership Benefits

Memberships at the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) are for one year starting on January 1st. Members who join the IFOB later in the year will have a prorated rate. Benefits include:

A one-stop shop: Get unlimited resources to our network. We know who has it or where to find it if you need it.

Support system: Learn and lean on your peers and other professionals

All Employees: When a family business or associate partner signs up as a member, the membership covers EVERYONE in the company.

We list all family businesses or associate partners in our directories. Let us know if you want us to add anyone from your company to our list so they can be seen here, along with your company description!

Multiple listings on IFOB website: We list all family businesses and associate partners in our directories along with the services they provide.

Advertising: Submit member programs, events, news, job listings, podcasts, resources and more within our NEW member portal! Exclusive to members only!

Social Media Network: Do you have news you want us to share? Whether it’s a new hire, special recognition, expansion, etc., send it to us, and we will share your information on our social media platforms.

Over 50 Programs: A full calendar of events tailored to you! With our affinity groups, women’s programs, educational series, and networking events, there is something for everyone!

Participation in the Institute’s programs, services, and events at no cost or a discounted member rate: Get unlimited tickets unless otherwise noted for a program or event. This applies to all employees, families, and non-family.

Please note: At the Members/Associate Partner level of membership, specific programs may be unavailable and open only to family business members (Examples: CEO Central, Women’s Leadership Forum, and Next Generation discussions.)

Become a Member

Membership Tiers

Memberships at the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) are for one year starting on January 1st. Members who join the IFOB later in the year will have a prorated rate.

Pro-rated rates apply from August – November as the IFOB works off a calendar year. When registering as a new member you will see the adjusted pricing at the final payment screen.

$1,600.00 (USD)

Family Business Membership

This level is for a family-owned business with more than $5M in gross revenue.

Number of employees (unlimited)

The membership fee is an ANNUAL payment due on the first of the year. The fee covers all your employees.

Subscription period: 1 year, on January 1

This level is for a family-owned business with more than $5 million in gross revenue.

Purchase Membership

$850.00 (USD)

Family Business Membership

Between $1-5M gross revenue

Number of employees (unlimited)

The membership fee is an ANNUAL payment due on the first of the year. The fee covers all your employees.

Subscription period: 1 year, on January 1

This level is for a family-owned business with $1-5 million in gross revenue.

Purchase Membership

$600.00 (USD)

Family Business Membership

More than $500k <$1M gross revenue

Number of employees (unlimited)

The membership fee is an ANNUAL payment due on the first of the year. The fee covers all your employees.

Subscription period: 1 year, on January 1

This level is for a family-owned business with more than $500,000 and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

Purchase Membership

$300.00 (USD)

Family Business Membership

< $500,000 gross revenue

Number of employees (unlimited)

The membership fee is an ANNUAL payment due on the first of the year. The fee covers all your employees.

Subscription period: 1 year, on January 1

This level is for a family-owned business with less than $500,000 in gross revenue.

Purchase Membership

$2,050.00 (USD)

Member/Associate Partner

Number of employees (unlimited)

Subscription period: 1 year, on January 1st

Associate membership is for businesses and professionals that serve family-owned companies in some fashion but are not family-owned.

The membership fee is an ANNUAL payment due on the first of the year. The fee covers all your employees.

Some programs will be open only to family-owned businesses.

Purchase Membership

$300.00 (USD)

Associate Partner/Sole Proprietor Member

Number of employees (1)

Subscription period: 1 year, on January 1st

An associate membership/sole proprietor is for a consulting company that sometimes serves family-owned businesses. But it is not family-owned and only has one employee.

The membership fee is an ANNUAL payment due on the first of the year.

Some programs will be open only to family-owned businesses.

Purchase Membership

Membership Resources

Articles

Friends of IFOB

Books

Webinars

Podcasts

Membership Directory

Looking for a recommendation within a specific industry? Filter our directory to search our members by their services, family business companies or associate partners! Support those who support Maine family-owned first!

Go To Directory

What Members Have To Say

“I feel as though our group all relates so well and I enjoy picking their brains and talking about common issues that we all face.” – Dottie Chalmers Cutter, Vice President of Operations, Chalmers Insurance Group

1/6

What Members Have To Say

“Family-owned businesses are one of the driving factors in the Maine Economy. Having the Institute as a resource for family businesses in Maine helps these businesses succeed and prosper.” – Maddy Corson, AMG Associates

2/6

What Members Have To Say

“Thank you so much for having me! I learned so much in that one Women in Family Business event and have already been implementing my power pose, digital detoxing, active listening, and really trying to make that personal connection with everyone I meet!” – Katherine Gifford, Account Manager, iBec Creative

3/6

What Members Have To Say

“I attend a fair amount of networking events. This Women in Family Business was one of the best I’ve ever been to! I’m a big fan of the speaker, Susan Dench anyway, but wanted you to know I loved the energy and what we learned!” – Kimberley C. Kalicky, Assistant Vice President – Operations, R.M. Davis, Inc.

4/6

What Members Have To Say

“Anyone involved with a family-owned business would benefit by being a member of the IFOB. You will meet other family business owners who have had many of the same challenges. And you will find the right expertise to successfully guide you and the development of your company.” – Adam Lee, Chairman, Lee Auto Malls

5/6

What Members Have To Say

“The Family Business Forum Event on Wednesday was awesome in every respect. Networking, learning, connecting… loved it. Great job!” – Paula Mahony, Marketing Strategist, Words@Work

6/6

Speaker Application

The Institute for Family-Owned Business is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting, strengthening, and empowering family-owned businesses throughout Maine. Because the IFOB programs are at the heart of its mission and vital to the member’s benefits, the speakers must be knowledgeable in their subject matter and presentation.

Please note that the Programming Committee accepts applications throughout the year. In the fall, the Committee meets to review applications and then presents all programs to the Board for final approval in the December Board meeting for the following year.

Click here for an online IFOB Program Application, and reach out to Brooke Stewart, Director of Communications, at (207) 281-2414 or at brooke@fambusiness.org if you have any questions. Our mailing address is Post Office Box 3364, Portland, Maine 04104.

Out-of-state speakers will be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses to be determined by the IFOB Program Committee.

Apply Today!

Speaker Requirements

Have experience teaching adult learners.

Be knowledgeable with the content of their presentation.

Be familiar with the components of an effective and interactive presentation.

Be willing to work with the program committee to design and prepare the final program.

Submit the completed online application which will be directed to the IFOB Program Committee, who will review and inform the speaker(s) of a decision or ask for more information and/or clarification.

Be available to the Program Committee for course content completion and preparation.

Send your presentation material (agenda for meeting, power point, handouts, set up of room, seating, and other needed equipment) to the IFOB at least four weeks before the presentation date.

Assist with finding other speakers or family business panelists for the program.

Help market the program to your network as well as communicate with IFOB staff to coordinate scheduling meetings, finalizing program details, date, etc.