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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region Inc

EIN 14-6035512 · Albany, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS (BBBS) IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST YOUTH MENTORING ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES. IN NEW YORK'S CAPITAL REGION (ALBANY, RENSSELAER, SARATOGA AND SCHENECTADY COUNTIES), WE HAVE BEEN MATCHING MENTEES ("LITTLES") WITH MENTORS ("BIGS") IN PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS SINCE 1964 AND HAVE SERVED THOUSANDS OF LITTLES IN JUST THE PAST DECADE. WE SERVE YOUTH FROM AGE 6 INTO YOUNG ADULTHOOD IN BOTH COMMUNITY-BASED AND SITE-BASED SETTINGS. THE WORK OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE CAPITAL REGION (BBBSCR) BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH PROFESSIONALLY GUIDED ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THEPOWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH. OUR VISION IS THAT ALL YOUTH MEET THEIR POTENTIAL. OUR EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL DIRECTLY REDRESSES THE IMPACTS OF INSTITUTIONAL RACISM, GENERATIONAL POVERTY, AND OTHER SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION. WHAT DRIVES OUR MISSION? WE RECOGNIZE THAT WHILE TALENT IS EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED, OPPORTUNITY IS NOT.

Income
$489,404
Spending
$622,060
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
14
Volunteers
304
Highest pay
$71,299, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $352,305 spent. PROVIDED ADULT ROLE MODELS FOR GUIDED ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH. OUR VISION IS THAT ALL YOUTH MEET THEIR POTENTIAL.
  2. $60,014 spent. THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH BOCES LED HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM AT SCHECTADY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE FACING CHALLENGES AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME.
  3. INSTRUCTED AND ORIENTED ADULT VOLUNTEERS FOR GUIDED ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH. OUR VISION IS THAT ALL YOUTH MEET THEIR POTENTIAL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1966.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

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