The challenges you face can be solved within our community.
We have made it our mission to equip your family business to succeed – whatever that looks like for you and the business, right now.
What is PFBA?
Prairie Family Business Association is an outreach center of the University of South Dakota that helps family businesses thrive through generations. We provide a resource network for family business success.
A membership at Prairie Family Business Association gives you access to family business programs and events throughout the year, so you can gain education on family business topics, learn best practices, network with other families in the same situation as you, and plan for the future of your business.
Members do not need to be affiliated with USD to join.
Who is it for?
PFBA is for family businesses of all sizes, all industries, and all generations who want to lead well, plan for the future, and successfully grow into the next generation.
Our memberships are designed to best benefit family businesses in which:
The family has majority ownership in the business.
One of more family members work in the business.
The family expects to continue ownership and/or management of the business in the future.
Checkup on your family business.
Take 5 minutes to see how you’re doing in 3 key areas, plus see which of our programs can help boost your scores.
Join hundreds of family businesses benefiting from PFBA.
The Member Experience: Stage One
Stage Two
Hear from our members.
Membership Options
for Family Businesses
- Member Newsletter
- Webinars (6 per year)
- Action Plan
- Affinity Peer Group
- Retreats
- Conference
All-Inclusive
- Member Newsletter Included
- Webinars (6 per year) Included
- Action Plan Included
- Affinity Peer Group $1,250/person
- Retreats Member Rate
- Conference 4 included
Platinum
- Member Newsletter Included
- Webinars (6 per year) Included
- Action Plan Included
- Affinity Peer Group 3 included
- Retreats Member Rate
- Conference 4 included
Basic
- Member Newsletter Included
- Webinars (6 per year) Included
- Action Plan Included
- Affinity Peer Group $1,250/person
- Retreats Member Rate
- Conference $999/person
Non-Member
- Member Newsletter Not Included
- Webinars (6 per year) $25 / Webinar
- Action Plan Not Included
- Affinity Peer Group Not Included
- Retreats Not Included
- Conference $1,599/person
- Member Newsletter
- Webinars (6 per year)
- Action Plan
- Affinity Peer Group
- Retreats
- Conference
Platinum
- Member NewsletterIncluded
- Webinars (6 per year)Included
- Action PlanIncluded
- Affinity Peer Group3 included
- RetreatsMember Rate
- Conference4 included
All-Inclusive
- Member NewsletterIncluded
- Webinars (6 per year)Included
- Action PlanIncluded
- Affinity Peer Group$1,250/person
- RetreatsMember Rate
- Conference4 included
Basic
- Member NewsletterIncluded
- Webinars (6 per year)Included
- Action PlanIncluded
- Affinity Peer Group$1,250/person
- RetreatsMember Rate
- Conference$999/person
Non-Member
- Member NewsletterNot Included
- Webinars (6 per year)$25 / Webinar
- Action PlanNot Included
- Affinity Peer GroupNot Included
- RetreatsNot Included
- Conference$2,999/person
*Basic Membership costs are determined by number of full-time employees: 1-20: $405, 21-50: $705, 51+: $975
Professional Advisor Membership
$1,499 / year
Frequently Asked Questions
Prairie Family Business Association provides a network of resources for family businesses to help family businesses thrive through generations. We connect their family and their business leaders with education, new opportunities and trusted advisors to support you in planning for your business’ future.
Any business that is privately held by one or more families are welcome to join. Many of our programs cater to situations with multiple members of the same family working within the business, but we encourage long-term planning so if you will have family members joining the business in the future – now is the perfect time to start working on a plan!
Don’t take our word for it, listen to our members: “Prairie Family Business Association has allowed our company to work through the tough topics in family business and has provided opportunities to network with others who are in the same situations. The Association is invaluable to a small family business.” – Mallory, 3rd Generation
We provide an annual membership. Your membership will be active for a full year from your sign-up date.
Your membership will not automatically renew at the end of the year. If you aren’t satisfied with the value, simply email us and you will not receive a renewal notification.
You get access to our family business and advisor directory, free access to webinars, member rates for the annual conference and access to peer groups, family retreats and more!
All-Inclusive members receive four (4) registrations to the annual conference with membership. They can also register additional people at a discounted rate. Standard members will pay full member price for conference registrations.
Our Platinum membership includes all the benefits of our All-Inclusive level, plus access for up to three (3) individuals to participate in an Affinity Peer Group (APG) at no extra cost beyond the cost of the membership. Platinum members are also able to register additional APG participants at a discounted rate.
Standard and All-Inclusive members pay full member price for each APG participant from their business.
Not at all! Many of our opportunities, including webinars, the annual conference and peer groups can be fully accessed remotely.
We welcome all advisors into membership who play a role in supporting, guiding and planning for family business longevity. Our advisors can be involved by connecting with members through events, sharing knowledge, and learning how to best serve family businesses.
Free Family Business Resources
Get started with our free downloads, member stories, and education.