The Alberta Business Family Institute (ABFI) was conceived from the collaborative efforts of a group of Alberta business families, members of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta and founders of the Business Families Foundation. These motivated parties identified the need to offer research-based educational programs to family-owned businesses in Alberta.

Built on the principle that family enterprise is the heart of the Alberta economy, this unique partnership provides knowledge and skill enhancement opportunities that foster the continued success of family-based organizations. ABFI is family business advising—by families, for families. It creates a direct link between business families and the research and study of family-owned business at an international level, as well as at the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise (CEFE).