Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
BBBS does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses for each major program (program implementation, agency support and development, and child safety, standards, and compliance).
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to create and support one-on-one mentoring relationships that ignite and power and promise of youth."
Year, State Incorporated:
1948, DC
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) reports that it provides professionally supported one-to-one mentoring programs for children and youth facing adversity, generally between the ages of 6 and 18. Through its nationwide network, the organization matches young people with caring adult mentors in relationships designed to support youth development, confidence, school success, and positive decision-making. These mentoring relationships are supported by trained BBBS staff to help promote safe, consistent, and meaningful engagement. The organization’s principal programs include community-based mentoring, where young people and their mentors spend time together through one-on-one outings and activities; school-based mentoring, which connects youth with mentors in school settings to support confidence, friendships, and personal growth; and programs for children in military families, including Operation Bigs, which provides additional support and stability for youth connected to military service. BBBS also engages youth and alumni through initiatives such as the National Youth Council and Alumni Network. Across its programs, the organization seeks to help children succeed in school, avoid risky behaviors, improve self-confidence, and build supportive relationships that contribute to long-term positive outcomes.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's program expenses were:
| Agency services, support and development | $30,367,352 |
| Program implementation | $19,398,221 |
| Child safety, standards and compliance | $4,405,679 |
| Total Program Expenses | $54,171,252 |
Chief Executive
Artis Stevens, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$723,520
Chair of the Board
Michael Carrel
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President and Chief Executive Officer, AtriCure
Board Size
23
Paid Staff Size
134
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $58,436,411, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and grants | $41,853,253 |
| Government grants | $14,299,601 |
| Memberships | $5,482,494 |
| In-kind contributions | $2,283,557 |
| Investment income | $2,121,006 |
| Other | $406,437 |
| Total Income | $66,446,348 |
Programs: 85% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 7%
| Total Income | $66,446,348 |
| Total expenses: | $64,058,570 |
| Program expenses | $54,171,252 |
| Fundraising expenses | $5,712,500 |
| Administrative expenses | $4,174,818 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $2,387,778 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $41,806,650 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $44,194,428 |
| Total Liabilities | $23,199,488 |
| Total Assets | $67,393,916 |
Note: According to the organzition's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, BBBS reported in-kind PSAs totaling $2,283,557.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance