Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
A U.S. nonprofit organization that supports local agencies providing one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteers and young people.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is a United States nonprofit organization focused on one-to-one youth mentoring. Its roots trace to 1904, when Ernest Kent Coulter, a clerk in New York City's Children's Court, sought to recruit trustworthy adults to build relationships with boys appearing before the court. The underlying idea was that sustained contact with a caring adult could provide guidance, encouragement, and positive alternatives for young people facing difficult circumstances. The organization is a national support and coordination body rather than a conventional consumer-facing company. It provides standards, training, resources, fundraising support, advocacy, and program guidance to a network of local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies. Those local agencies recruit and screen adult volunteers, commonly called Bigs, and match them with children and adolescents, commonly called Littles. Participants generally range from approximately age five through young adulthood, depending on the local program and the needs of the youth. BBBSA's programs operate in community-based and school-based settings. Matches may involve regular activities such as talking, studying, attending community events, sharing hobbies, or working toward individual goals. The programs are designed to support educational engagement, social development, confidence, decision-making, and broader personal development. The national organization does not replace local agencies; instead, it establishes a common framework while allowing affiliates to adapt services to local communities. The movement expanded from New York to other American cities during the early twentieth century. Related organizations for girls developed alongside the original Big Brothers movement, including Catholic Big Sisters. Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations eventually moved toward national coordination and, in 1977, merged to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The organization later received a federal congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code. Research has been an important part of BBBSA's public identity. Studies conducted in the 1990s and 2011 examined community-based and school-based mentoring, while the organization has also used outcome surveys to track youth development. In 2025, BBBSA publicized a long-term study conducted with researchers associated with Harvard University and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The research analyzed several decades of data and reported associations between participation and later educational, economic, and social outcomes, including higher college attendance and increased earnings among participants. The findings were presented as evidence that structured mentoring can produce durable benefits and may be economically cost-effective. BBBSA has also undergone organizational modernization. It marked the centennial of the movement in 2004, expanded public awareness through national campaigns and public-service advertising, and moved its national headquarters to Tampa, Florida, in 2015. In 2020, Artis Stevens became the organization's first Black chief executive officer. As an active 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a congressional charter, BBBSA's principal activities remain volunteer recruitment, youth-adult matching, mentoring support, agency capacity-building, research, and advocacy for young people.
History
The origins of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America lie in the Progressive Era concern with child welfare, juvenile courts, and the social conditions affecting young people. In 1904, Ernest Kent Coulter worked as a clerk at New York City's Children's Court and observed that many boys appearing before the court lacked dependable adult guidance. He recruited men from civic and community organizations to form supportive relationships with these boys. This effort became Big Brothers of New York City and established the central model later associated with the movement: a trained or supervised adult volunteer maintaining a consistent, personal relationship with a young person. A parallel tradition developed for girls. The Catholic Ladies of Charity organized Catholic Big Sisters, while other local initiatives emerged in cities across the country. In Cincinnati, businessman Irvin F. Westheimer started a related mentoring effort after encountering a boy searching for food near his office. These separate initiatives shared the belief that personal attention and practical encouragement could complement formal institutions such as courts, schools, and social-service agencies. By 1912, Big Brothers programs had reached 26 American cities. The movement attracted support from civic leaders and prominent public figures, including Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Public recognition helped frame volunteer mentoring as a national civic activity rather than only a local charity project. In 1948, artist Norman Rockwell produced an illustration associated with the Big Brothers movement, contributing to wider public awareness. National organization-building continued after the Second World War. The Big Brothers of the Year program began in 1951 to recognize notable mentors; early honorees included Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. In 1958, Congress granted a federal charter to the Big Brothers Association. Big Sisters International was incorporated in 1970, providing a separate national structure for the movement serving girls and young women. The two national organizations merged in 1977, creating Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. During the 1980s, BBBSA strengthened its national infrastructure and established a headquarters in Philadelphia. The organization also received recognition through a U.S. postage stamp. Its operating model increasingly combined national standards and resources with locally delivered services. Local affiliates recruited volunteers, assessed youth and families, created matches, and provided continuing supervision, while the national organization supported training, fundraising, communications, research, and network coordination. The organization marked the centennial of the original movement in 2004. In the following decade it used national public figures and mass-media campaigns to increase volunteer participation and donor awareness. First Lady Laura Bush publicly supported the organization in 2006, and a 2007 Super Bowl public-service announcement featuring opposing football coaches promoted mentoring. BBBSA also received favorable recognition from charity evaluators and nonprofit-ranking organizations during this period. In 2012, it released its first nationwide Youth Outcomes Survey, expanding its use of standardized information about educational, social, and developmental outcomes. BBBSA experienced a significant governance and compliance episode in the 2010s. A 2013 U.S. Department of Justice audit identified noncompliance with grant requirements, and grant payments were frozen. The organization replaced members of its management team and introduced stronger financial oversight. A subsequent settlement required payment of $1.6 million and enhanced compliance measures, including regular audits, a dedicated compliance function, an employee code of conduct, whistleblower protections, and disciplinary procedures for financial misconduct. The settlement resolved allegations and did not itself constitute a determination of liability. In 2015, the national headquarters moved to Tampa, Florida. The organization continued to operate as a national network supporting local agencies and promoting both community-based and school-based mentoring. In 2020, Artis Stevens became the first Black chief executive officer of BBBSA. Research remained central to its public case for mentoring. Earlier evaluations had studied participant outcomes in the 1990s and school-based programming in 2011. In 2025, BBBSA released findings from a collaboration involving Harvard researchers and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The analysis used long-term administrative and tax data and reported educational, economic, and social benefits associated with participation, extending the organization's emphasis on evidence-based mentoring.
- 2025
Long-term mentoring outcomes study released
[1]BBBSA released findings from a study with Harvard and U.S. Treasury researchers examining long-term educational, economic, and social outcomes.
- 2020
Artis Stevens becomes chief executive
[1]Artis Stevens became BBBSA's first Black chief executive officer.
- 2015
National headquarters moves to Tampa
[1]The national headquarters relocated to Tampa, Florida.
- 2012
First nationwide Youth Outcomes Survey
[1]BBBSA released its first nationwide survey designed to measure outcomes across multiple areas of youth development.
- 2004
Centennial of the mentoring movement
[1]BBBSA marked 100 years since the beginning of the Big Brothers movement.
- 1977
Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations merge
[1]The two national organizations merged to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
- 1970
Big Sisters International incorporated
[1]Big Sisters International was incorporated as a national organization serving the parallel mentoring movement for girls and young women.
- 1958
Federal congressional charter granted
[1]Congress granted a federal charter to the Big Brothers Association.
- 1951
Big Brothers of the Year program established
[1]The organization introduced an annual recognition program for outstanding mentors.
- 1948
Norman Rockwell illustration raises public awareness
[1]Artist Norman Rockwell created an illustration associated with the Big Brothers movement, helping bring the cause to a broader public audience.
Products and positioning
A national nonprofit infrastructure and service organization centered on sustained, professionally supported relationships between adult mentors and youth.
Mentoring service
Community-based mentoring
Community-based programs pair an adult volunteer with a young person for a sustained relationship outside the formal classroom. Matches may meet in homes, community spaces, libraries, recreational facilities, or other approved settings. Local agencies generally recruit and screen volunteers, assess youth and families, provide orientation and training, and supervise the match over time. Activities are adapted to the youth's interests and goals while emphasizing consistent contact, trust, educational engagement, social development, and personal growth.
Mentoring service
School-based mentoring
School-based programs place mentoring relationships within or around the school day. Adult volunteers may meet with students for structured conversations, academic support, recreational activities, or goal-setting. The format is intended to make mentoring accessible to young people who may not be able to participate in community-based matches. BBBSA has evaluated this model through national research and uses local agencies to implement and supervise programs in participating schools.
Nonprofit network services
Local agency support network
BBBSA provides national-level guidance, resources, standards, training support, research, communications, and organizational assistance to local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies. The network model allows affiliates to deliver services in their own communities while working within a shared national framework. This support function is a major part of BBBSA's role and distinguishes it from a single-site mentoring provider.
Controversies
2013
Department of Justice grant-compliance dispute
A U.S. Department of Justice audit identified noncompliance with grant requirements, after which grant disbursements were frozen. BBBSA replaced members of its management team and adopted stronger financial and compliance controls. A settlement required a $1.6 million payment and additional measures including regular audits, a compliance team, a code of conduct, whistleblower protections, and disciplinary procedures. The settlement resolved allegations and did not establish liability.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Super Bowl public-service announcement
United States
A national Super Bowl public-service announcement featuring competing football coaches promoted adult volunteer mentoring and increased public visibility for BBBSA.
Outcome. The campaign served as a high-profile awareness and recruitment initiative; specific measured results are not stated in the reference material.
- 2006Laura Bush public support
United States
First Lady Laura Bush publicly supported Big Brothers Big Sisters, giving the organization additional national visibility during its centennial-era expansion.
Outcome. The reference material does not provide a specific quantified campaign outcome.
Brand decisions
2025
Publish long-term evidence on mentoring outcomesOtherBackground
Earlier evaluations had examined mentoring outcomes over shorter periods, while BBBSA sought evidence about effects extending into education, employment, and adulthood.
Action taken
BBBSA released a study conducted with Harvard University and U.S. Department of the Treasury researchers using long-term administrative and tax data.
Aftermath
The reported findings linked participation with higher college attendance, increased earnings in early adulthood, reduced absenteeism and suspensions, and other social benefits. The study reinforced BBBSA's emphasis on long-term evidence and economic return.
2015
Relocate the national headquartersStrategyBackground
BBBSA had maintained a national headquarters in Philadelphia during the organization's earlier period of national infrastructure development.
Action taken
The national headquarters was moved to Tampa, Florida.
Aftermath
Tampa became the organization's national headquarters location; broader operational effects are not specified in the reference material.
2013
Strengthen governance and financial complianceStrategyBackground
A Department of Justice audit identified noncompliance with grant requirements, and grant disbursements were frozen.
Action taken
BBBSA replaced its management team, introduced stricter financial oversight, agreed to enhanced compliance requirements, and adopted measures including regular audits, a compliance team, an employee code of conduct, whistleblower protections, and disciplinary policies.
Aftermath
The reforms were incorporated into a Justice Department settlement that included a $1.6 million payment. The settlement resolved allegations without a determination of liability.
Settlement payment. $1.6 million (2013 settlement)
2012
Introduce a nationwide youth-outcomes measurement programStrategyBackground
BBBSA sought more systematic evidence about the educational, social, and developmental effects of its mentoring programs.
Action taken
The organization released its first nationwide Youth Outcomes Survey.
Aftermath
The survey strengthened the organization's evidence-oriented approach to program evaluation, although the reference material does not state a specific operational change resulting from it.
1977
Merge the national Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizationsM&ABackground
Separate national organizations had developed around mentoring services for boys and girls.
Action taken
The organizations combined to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Aftermath
The merger created the national organization that coordinates the modern Big Brothers Big Sisters network.
Recent events
Mediavine partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America on PSA campaign[3]
Reported:
Mediavine partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America on a public service announcement campaign promoting mentor recruitment. The PSAs were to appear across websites in Mediavine's publisher network.
Sources3 sources
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