BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MN
Programs
Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS (BBBS) OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT BELIEVES THAT INHERENT IN EVERY CHILD IS THE ABILITY TO SUCCEED AND THRIVE IN LIFE. FOR 55 YEARS, WE HAVE PROVIDED CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER.BBBS MAKES MEANINGFUL, MONITORED MATCHES BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS ("BIGS") AND CHILDREN ("LITTLES"), AGES 5 THROUGH 21. WE DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE A DIRECT AND LASTING EFFECT ON THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE. WE HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR EACH CHILD IN OUR PROGRAM ACHIEVING: HIGHER ASPIRATIONS, GREATER CONFIDENCE, AND BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, AVOIDANCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS, AND EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. THE BBBS YOUTH OUTCOMES SUMMARY SUBSTANTIATES THAT ITS MENTORING PROGRAMS HAVE PROVEN POSITIVE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOR OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH, AND IS LINKED TO LONG-TERM OUTCOMES SUCH AS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AVOIDANCE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AND COLLEGE OR JOB READINESS.BBBS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA SERVES FIVE COUNTIES: STEARNS, BENTON, SHERBURNE, MORRISON, AND THE NORTHERN TIER OF WRIGHT COUNTY. WE TARGET THE YOUTH THAT NEED US MOST INCLUDING THOSE LIVING IN SINGLE PARENT HOMES, GROWING UP IN POVERTY (68% OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE ARE FROM HOUSEHOLDS BELOW 200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES), DEALING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, AND COPING WITH PARENTAL INCARCERATION. IN ADDITION, MANY OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR PROGRAM HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, HAVE BEEN BULLIED, AND/OR STRUGGLE ACADEMICALLY OR SOCIALLY. DURING OUR PAST FISCAL YEAR, WE PROVIDED SERVICES TO 616 CHILDREN (LITTLES). WE ENGAGED 215 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SERVE AS HIGH SCHOOL BIGS, AND PROVIDED THEM WITH GUIDANCE, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES. IN ADDITION TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR MENTEES/LITTLES, THE LIVES OF THOSE SERVING AS HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS ARE CHANGED AS WELL. THEY LEARN RESPONSIBILITY, PATIENCE, AND HOW TO SERVE AS GOOD ROLE MODELS.CHILD SAFETY IS OUR GREATEST PRIORITY. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAVE FOUR-YEAR DEGREES IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SERVICES. OUR EXTENSIVE VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS ENSURES SAFE AND COMPATIBLE MATCHES FOR THE CHILDREN WE SERVE. WE ARE GUIDED BY OUR NATIONAL OFFICE FOR INCREASEDSAFETY MEASURES.THE YOUTH (LITTLES) AND MENTORS (BIGS) IN OUR PROGRAM ARE CAREFULLY MATCHED ONLY AFTER THE BIGS HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SCREENED AND TRAINED, AND THE LITTLES STRENGTHS, NEEDS, VULNERABILITIES, AND INTERESTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED. THROUGH OUR CAREFUL, PROFESSIONAL MATCHING, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THESE ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE LIFE-CHANGING AND WILL GIVE OUR LITTLES NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, ALONG WITH OUR LITTLES AND THEIR PARENT/TEACHER/GUARDIAN IDENTIFY UNIQUE GOALS FOR EACH CHILD THAT THEIR BIG CAN HELP THEM ACCOMPLISH. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT EACH CHILD'S ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIP WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR LIVES BY STARTING THEM DOWN A PATH TO AN EVEN BRIGHTER, MORE PROMISING FUTURE. BY SERVING AS A MENTOR, ROLE MODEL, AND FRIEND, BIGS POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHILD'S SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.BBBS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA OFFERS TWO DISTINCT PROGRAM OPTIONS: 1) COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING: CHILDREN ARE MATCHED WITH A BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER, BIG DUO OR BIG FAMILY AND MEET WITH THEM 2-3 TIMES A MONTH FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY. BIGS ARE ABLE TO TRANSPORT THEIR LITTLES AND ATTEND EVENTS, GO SHOPPING, GO OUT TO EAT, SPEND TIME AT THE VOLUNTEER'S HOME, OR DO OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT THEY BOTH ENJOY. 2) SITE-BASED MENTORING: CHILDREN MEET WITH THEIR MENTOR AT A PUBLIC SITE, SUCH AS A CLUB OR SCHOOL GROUNDS, FOR ABOUT AN HOUR EACH WEEK. SITE-BASED MATCHES ENJOY PLAYING BOARD GAMES, DOING ARTS & CRAFTS, REVIEWING HOMEWORK, OR JUST TALKING. SITE-BASED MENTORING ALLOWS US TO SERVE A FAR GREATER NUMBER OF YOUTH FACING ADVERSITY WITH A GREATLY INCREASED POOL OF POTENTIAL MENTORS DUE TO A MORE ADAPTABLE TIME COMMITMENT AND A CONVENIENT MEETING SITE. THE SITE-BASED PROGRAM OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BE MENTORS AND IS SUPPORTED BY BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS. OUR AWARD-WINNING DR. POTTER BIGS ON CAMPUS MENTORING INITIATIVE IS A SITE-BASED PROGRAM THAT BRINGS YOUTH TO THE ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS TWICE MONTHLY, WHERE THEY MEET ONE-TO-ONE WITH THEIR MENTORS AND SPEND THEIR TIME TOGETHER EXPLORING CAMPUS, ATTENDING CAMPUS EVENTS, PARTICIPATING IN ON-CAMPUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND TOURING ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS. DURING THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WE EXPANDED OUR BIGS ON CAMPUS PROGRAM TO THE COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT AND ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY. IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, WE EXPANDED TO THE ST. CLOUD TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.IN 2022 WE LAUNCHED A NEW MENTORING INITIATIVE CALLED BIG PARTNERS (BBBS, ISD 742 & GRANITE PARTNERS), THROUGH WHICH WE SERVE 13 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WHO ARE PAIRED WITH LOCAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS. THE GOAL OF THE BIG PARTNERS INITIATIVE IS TO PROVIDE TECH & APOLLO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FACING ADVERSITY WITH A MENTOR TO PROVDE SUPPORT & CONNECTIONS TO HELP THEM EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATE THE BUSINESS WORLD OR A PATH TO HIGHER EDUCATION.FROM JULY 1, 2023 UNTIL JUNE 30, 2024, WE DID SOME PRETTY BIG THINGS: 1) WE LAUNCHED A THIRD SECTION OF OUR BIGS ON CAMPUS MENTORING INITIATIVE AT ST. CLOUD TECHNICAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THIS INITIATIVE PAIRED KIDS FROM THE SAUK RAPIDS-RICE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH FACULTY & STAFF FROM SCTCC, AS WELL AS LOCAL PROFESSIONALS, AND WE ENDED THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH 12 MATCHES. 2) WE ARE MORE THAN HALFWAY TO THE $10 MILLION GOAL IN OUR FOR KIDS, FOREVER ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN! THANKS TO THE FORWARD THINKING OF SO MANY OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS AND SUPPORTERS, WE HAVE RAISED NEARLY $6 MILLION IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF THE CAMPAIGN. THIS SETS US UP TO CONTINUE TO SERVE LOCAL YOUTH FAR INTO THE FUTURE. 3) OUR FALL RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN BROUGHT IN THE NAMES OF 115 PEOPLE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MENTOR & HELPED US REACH SEVERAL OF OUR BENCHMARK GOALS! WE SURPASSED OUR GOAL FOR NEW COMMUNITY-BASED MATCHES THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND SEVERAL OF OUR SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS ALSO REACHED AND PASSED THEIR AVERAGE LENGTH OF MATCH GOALS.THERE IS ALSO MUCH TO BE EXCITED ABOUT AS WE LOOK AHEAD. OUR AGENCY TURNS 55 THIS YEAR! BBBS OF CENTRAL MN WAS STARTED IN JUNE OF 1969 AND HAS BEEN SUPPORTING KIDS AND DEFENDING THE POTENTIAL OF LOCAL YOUTH EVER SINCE. WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE WHAT OUR FOUNDING DIRECTORS STARTED 55 YEARS AGO! WE WILL START A NEW COHORT OF MENTORS & MENTEES WITH OUR BIG PARTNERS INITIATIVE. THE FIRST COHORT OF MENTEES GRADUATED FROM ST. CLOUD TECH AND APOLLO HIGH SCHOOLS THIS SPRING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING A NEW GROUP TOGETHER TO HELP EACH OTHER GROW THIS FALL.BBBS' MENTORING PROGRAM ENSURES VULNERABLE YOUTH HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS, EXPERIENCES, SUPPORT, AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO HELP THEM BUILD TRUST, LEARN HOW TO MAKE AND MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS, GROW THEIR CONFIDENCE, ENHANCE THEIR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE/EXPERIENCE, AND HELP ENSURE THAT THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND DEVELOP INTO HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE ADULTS.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WORKS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS/ORGANIZATIONS FOR SOLUTIONS TO COMMON CHALLENGES. WE BELIEVE THAT FAMILIES ARE BEST SERVED WHEN THE RESOURCES OF THE BROADERCOMMUNITY ARE LEVERAGED; CREATING A WIDE NETWORK OF SUPPORT THAT GOES BEYOND THE ABILITIES OF ONE EXISTING AGENCY. OUR AGENCY CONTINUALLY WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER YOUTH/FAMILY SERVING ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOUTH GROUPS, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, BOY SCOUTS,GIRL SCOUTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ETC., CREATING EFFECTIVE, SYSTEMIC CHANGE. WE ALSO REFER THE SERVICES OF OTHER AREA AGENCIES IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD AND/OR FAMILY. SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS MAY INCLUDE COUNSELING SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES, ANDINTERVENTION SERVICES.IN ADDITION TO THE NUMEROUS BENEFITS PROVIDED THROUGH MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS, EACH YEAR OUR AGENCY OFFERS EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH THAT INCORPORATE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, ARTS & CULTURE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, HEALTH, AND FITNESS. DURING OURPAST FISCAL YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 250 YOUTH IN OUR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRAM AND AWARDED 17 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $49,600 TO OUR LITTLES AND HIGH SCHOOL BIGS. BBBS OF CENTRAL MN BROUGHT HOME TWO AWARDS FROM THE NATIONAL BBBS COONFERENCE IN DALLAS IN JUNE. THE AGENCY WAS ONE OF 100 FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO RECEIVE A GROWTH AWARD FOR GROWING THE NUMBER OF KIDS SERVED YEAR OVER YEAR, AND IT ALSO WON A BRONZE BIGGIE AWARD FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT. BIGGIE REWARDS ARE GIVEN TO THE TOP 3 MARKETING PIECES EACH YEAR. THIS MARKS THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR BBBS OF CENTRAL MN HAS WON AT LEAST ONE NATIONAL AWARD.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.1MDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
STATEMENT ONE CONTINUED: WE HAVE A ROBUST AND DIVERSE DEI (DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION) COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS COMMITTEE GUIDES & ADVISES ALL ASPECTS OF OUR PROGRAM TO ENSURE WE ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL YOUTH AND FAMILIES. OUR DEI COMMITTEE IS FOCUSED ON GROWING THE DIVERSITY IN OUR PROGRAM TO BETTER REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE TAKING INTENTIONAL AND DELIBERATE STEPS TO ENSURE WE ARE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE TO THOSE WHO NEED US MOST. ONE OF THOSE STEPS INCLUDES WORKING WITH THE CHARITIES REVIEW COUNCIL'S DEI TOOLKIT TO SURVEY OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND IMPLEMENT FINDINGS. WE ARE ALSO SEEKING INPUT AND GUIDANCE FROM OUR DEI COMMITTEE AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR AGENCY'S STRATEGIC PLAN.OUR TECHNOLOGY CAPACITIES AND SKILLS CONTINUE TO EXPAND: WE FACILITATE INTERVIEWS, MEETINGS, ETC. VIA ZOOM, TEAMS, AND GOOGLE MEET. THROUGH FORM ASSEMBLY, ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS AND PROGRAM FORMS UPLOAD SEAMLESSLY INTO OUR DATA MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, MATCHFORCE (CRM). OURSCHEDULING SOFTWARE, ACUITY, SCHEDULES MATCH SUPPORT CONTACTS, HELPING OUR PROGRAM COORDINATORS BE MORE EFFICIENT BY SPENDING LESS TIME TRYING TO REACH BIGS AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS. IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GOALS IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN RELATING TO STAFF ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, WE ESTABLISHED NEW POSITIONS FOR TEAM MEMBERS BASED ON SKILLSET AND GROWTH. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT RECOGNIZING THE SKILLS & CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR CURRENT STAFF MEMBERS, AS WELL AS CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPWARD MOBILITY, WILL BE AN ASSET TO LONG-TERM STAFF RETENTION.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided––Program 1 [2025]
IN OUR 56TH YEAR OF SERVICE, WE MATCHED OVER 500 YOUTH WITH MENTORS, MARKING A 10-YEAR HIGH IN YOUTH SERVED ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY-BASED AND SCHOOL/SITE-BASED PROGRAMS. MORE THAN 90% OF OUR YOUTH REPORTED IMPROVED CONFIDENCE, STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS, AND BETTER ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT. IN 2025, WE CONTINUED TO BUILD ON LONG-TERM IMPACT WITH NEW AND EXPANDED PROGRAMMING, PARTNERSHIPS, AND RESOURCES:- WE STRENGTHENED OUR FOCUS ON LONG-TERM IMPACT BY ADVANCING OUR $10 MILLION "FOR KIDS, FOREVER" ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN, AIMED AT SECURING MENTORING SERVICES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.- BIGS ON CAMPUS, OUR AWARD-WINNING MENTORING MODEL, BRINGS LITTLES TO THE CAMPUSES OF ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY, THE COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT/SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY, AND ST. CLOUD TECHNICAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO MEET WITH MENTORS, TOUR ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS, AND ENVISION THEIR FUTURES IN HIGHER EDUCATION.- BIG PARTNERS, A COLLABORATION WITH ISD 742 AND GRANITE PARTNERS, PAIRS LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS TO EXPLORE CAREER PATHWAYS AND POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS.- OVER 200 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SERVED AS HIGH SCHOOL BIGS/MENTORS, HELPING THEM DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS WHILE MAKING A REAL IMPACT ON THEIR YOUNGER PEERS.- COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS PROGRAMS SERVED OVER 250 YOUTH AND AWARDED OVER $40,000 IN EXCLUSIVE SCHOLARSHIPS.ALL MATCHES ARE CAREFULLY MONITORED AND SUPPORTED BY TRAINED PROGRAM STAFF WHO WORK WITH YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND MENTORS TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUALIZED GOALS AND PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT. VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS:OUR WORK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY OVER 800 VOLUNTEERS- SERVING AS BIGS, BOARD MEMBERS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND EVENT VOLUNTEERS. OUR VOLUNTEERS OFFER STABILITY, CONSISTENCY, AND HOPE TO YOUTH FACING ADVERSITY. WHILE OUR BIGS PROVIDE DIRECT MENTORSHIP TO YOUTH, OUR NON-MENTOR VOLUNTEERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN GUIDING AND STRENGTHENING OUR PROGRAM THROUGH LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THEY HELP SHAPE OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION, SUPPORT EVENTS, AND AMPLIFY OUR MISSION IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR, WE DEEPENED PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GROUPS TO RECRUIT NEW MENTORS AND EXPAND COMMUNITY AWARENESS. GOVERNANCE AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION: BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA IS GOVERNED BY A DIVERSE AND ACTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT PROVIDES STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP, ENSURES TRANSPARENCY, LEGAL COMPLIANCE, AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY. WE ADHERE TO STRONG FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PARTICIPATE IN AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT. AS AN AFFILIATE OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA, WE COMPLY WITH RIGOROUS NATIONAL STANDARDS AND REGULARLY ASSESS PERFORMANCE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE. OUR STRATEGIC PLAN INCLUDES AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR GROWTH AND IMPACT, THROUGH NEW AND BROADENED PARTNERSHIPS, EXPANDED RURAL OUTREACH, AND NEW FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES.PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: OUR AGENCY ENGAGES THE BROADER COMMUNITY THROUGH STORYTELLING, SOCIAL MEDIA, LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND PUBLIC EVENTS. THIS YEAR, WE LAUNCHED A COMPELLING STORYTELLING INITIATIVE, SPOTLIGHTING MENTORS, MENTEES, AND DONORS, THAT HAS INCREASED COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INSPIRED NEW SUPPORT. OUR ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN VIDEO, FEATURING CAMPAIGN CHAIRS ERIC AND LEE HURD ALONGSIDE THEIR LITTLE BROTHER CALEB, FUELED DONOR MOMENTUM AND INSPIRED NEW SUPPORTERS. WE ACTIVELY COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOLS, YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES, SERVICE CLUBS, AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS TO SUPPORT YOUTH AND HELP ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO THEIR SUCCESS. WE CONTINUE TO BUILD TRUST BY DELIVERING MEASURABLE IMPACT, ALIGNING WITH OUR DONORS' VALUES, AND CLEARLY DEMONSTRATING HOW MENTORING TRANSFORMS LIVES.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2024 – Jun 30, 2025Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.1M
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