Massachusetts FBLA is the Commonwealth’s association of Future Business Leaders of America, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University developed the FBLA concept in 1937 in an effort to unite local business clubs into a connected network under one organization.
Our mission is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
FBLA is headquartered nationally in Reston, Virginia, and organized on local, state, and national levels. Business teachers, advisers, and advisory councils (including school officials, businesspeople, and community representatives) guide local chapters, which are grouped together by state. In Massachusetts, the state leadership team — consisting of state advisers and state officers — creates the state plan of action and works with local chapters to ensure members and advisers are making the most of the FBLA experience.
Learn more about FBLA on the national website.
Membership
FBLA is the largest business career student organization in the world. Exclusive membership and career recognition programs are designed for each of FBLA’s three divisions to provide additional personal and chapter development opportunities. The divisions are Middle School, High School, and Collegiate.
Funding & Endorsements
FBLA is funded by membership dues, conference fees, corporate contributions, and grants. FBLA is recognized by the Association for Career and Technical Education, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, National Association of Parliamentarians, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Business Education Association, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Conferences
FBLA sponsors a series of conferences for members and advisers. These programs are designed to foster the development of business leadership skills by featuring workshops, exhibits, competitions, general sessions, as well as the benefit of networking among their peers from other cities and states. To see a full list of upcoming conferences, visit our Conferences page.
Competitive Events Program
FBLA’s National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. Through state-based competition at the spring State Leadership Conferences, students compete in events testing their business knowledge and skills. Top state winners then are eligible to compete for honors at the National Leadership Conference each summer. See a full list of events on our Competitive Events page.
Publications
These publications bring fresh ideas, new direction, and network-building news to FBLA members and advisers. Members in each division receive national publications tailored to their interests. Massachusetts FBLA publishes a variety of information for members and advisers, most of which are archived on our Documents & Resources page.
Community Service
March of Dimes is the national community service partner of FBLA. Each year, local and state chapters throughout the country sponsor fundraising activities for the March of Dimes, which works to fight premature birth. Many chapters join together and participate in the annual March for Babies in the spring. Learn more about our partnership with the March of Dimes.