A Guide to Investors’ Associations

You’ve heard that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, right? That’s the idea behind Investors Associations: like-minded business professional collaborating on investment strategies across a variety of markets and industries. The collective experience and knowledge of Investors Associations provide an objective resource for small business owners, making them an outstanding source for investment education, information and research.

Investors’ Associations have a second, but equally important, role in the business world: they connect potential investors with entrepreneurs seeking support to bring a product or service to market.

The goal of any Investors’ Association is to help members manage – and grow -- their assets. Before you become a member of one or more of these groups, though, try to determine which type of Investors’ Association is best suited to your goals. Start by reviewing our snapshot of key Investors’ Associations below.

American Association of Individual Investors (AAII)

AAII is the original Investors’ Association, founded in 1978. This non-profit organization has grown to 150,000 members, the majority of whom report investment returns that are consistently higher than overall market investors. Although AAII is a non-profit group, access to their best-in-class information isn’t free: membership packages are $29 or $49 annually, or you can purchase a Life Membership for $290. By joining you get an array of investment tools, including the AAII Journal, numerous financial guides, access to the 50+ Local Chapter Meetings, and Model Portfolios. The Enhanced Membership also includes a subscription to AAII’s Computerized Investing journal.

Angel Capital Association (ACA) and Angel Resource Institute (ARI)

Angel Investors are individuals or groups who are willing and able to provide capital for a start-up business. The ACA is the North American trade association of these groups, closely aligned with the ARI, a charitable organization that conducts market research and provides education and information related to angel investing. Collectively, ACA and ARI are focused on driving innovation and entrepreneurship by giving members the opportunity to invest in and help build successful companies.

Better Investing (BetterInvesting.com)

Founded in 1951, Better Investing is a non-profit group dedicated to empowering members with the information, education and support required to become successful investors. The organization boasts 90,000 members (both individual investors and investment clubs) and 82 regional chapters, and is a member of the World Federation of Investors. Better Investing offers Membership Packages for less than $6 per month (try before you buy with a 30-Day Risk-free Trial), which entitles you to members-only investment seminars, workshops, computer events and investor fairs built to complement Better Investing’s core investing principles of investing a set amount regularly, reinvesting earnings dividends and profits, investing in quality growth stocks and equity mutual funds, and diversifying investments.

National Real Estate Investors Association (NREIA or REIA)

This 40,000 member Investors Association is a 501 (c) 6 trade association. There are 40+ local REI Chapters and Affiliates that focus on educating member on real estate investments, and that education is based on information provided by the National REIA. As the name suggests, this organization’s primary area of interest is real estate investing, so if that’s your niche, too, find a REIA Chapter in your area.