Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is a prominent American 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering one-to-one mentoring relationships that empower and ignite the potential of young people. Founded in 1904, the organization operates as the nation's largest and most experienced youth mentoring service. Its national headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida.

BBBSA's core service involves carefully matching adult volunteers, known as "Bigs," with children and young adults, referred to as "Littles," typically aged 5 through young adulthood. The organization offers various structured mentoring programs, including Community-Based Mentoring, School-Based Mentoring, and "Operation Bigs," which specifically supports children from military families. Additionally, BBBSA provides "Big Futures" programs designed to prepare youth for college and careers through workforce development and mentorship. These evidence-based approaches aim to achieve positive youth outcomes such as improved educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, increased self-confidence, and stronger relationships.

Artis Stevens has served as the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America since November 2020, marking him as the first African American to hold this leadership position in the organization's history. In recent news, BBBSA announced new board leadership in August 2026, with Tony Coles as Board Chair and Dave Clark as Vice Chair. The organization is celebrating 120 years of impact, having been founded in 1904, and has launched its "One Big Vision" initiative, which includes ambitious goals like training one million mentors and embedding mentors in 1,000 schools. In September 2026, the Pam Iorio Leadership Fund was established to support leadership development across local agencies and strengthen the national endowment. BBBSA also engages in partnerships, such as "The Big Draft" with the NFL Inspire Change initiative to recruit mentors, and has received significant support, including $2.4 million from Ulta Beauty for wellness programs.