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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities

EIN 32-0017737 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE AND SUPPORT MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
32.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
84
Volunteers
1,416
Highest pay
$232,416, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 September 30, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $4.3 million spent. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS TWIN CITIES PARTNERS WITH 2,400 YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES EACH YEAR THROUGH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING, SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING, OUR BIG FUTURES PROGRAM WHICH OFFERS CAREER AND FUTURE READINESS FOR TEENS, AND FREE ARTS. PROGRAMMING IS SUPPORTED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND MORE THAN 1,400 VOLUNTEERS.OUR LATEST DATA SHOW THAT YOUTH REPORT STRONG RESULTS IN KEY DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS THAT LEAD TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL PERSISTENCE, MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES, AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR PERSONAL SUCCESS. FOR SURVEYED YOUTH IN 2025 MENTORED AT LEAST ONE YEAR: 85% REPORTED MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS INCLUDING HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION AND GOING TO COLLEGE; 80% REPORTED MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND GRADES; 91% REPORTED MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING EMOTIONAL REGULATION SKILLS; AND 90% REPORTED MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING SOCIAL COMPETENCE WITH THEIR PEERS.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS TWIN CITIES STAKEHOLDERS ALSO REPORT A HIGH LEVEL OF SATISFACTION. YOUNG PEOPLE VALUE THE PROGRAM, WITH 98% AFFIRMING THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR BIG IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM. PARENTING ADULTS ARE ALSO PLEASED WITH THE MENTORING PROGRAMS 92% REPORT THAT THEIR CHILD HAS HAD A POSITIVE AND FUN EXPERIENCE. VOLUNTEERS ARE POSITIVELY IMPACTED BY MENTORSHIP 96% OF BIGS REPORT THAT THEY WOULD RECOMMEND THE PROGRAM TO THEIR FRIENDS.A RECENT HARVARD STUDY REPORTS THAT YOUTH ENROLLED IN BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MENTORING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE NATION HAVE BETTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES, HIGHER COLLEGE ENROLLMENT RATES, AND LOWER DROPOUT RATES. THIS LEADS TO INCREASES IN LIFE-TIME EARNINGS OF 15-20% COMPARED TO NON-MENTORED YOUTH. THAT'S MORE THAN JUST MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN THEIR LIFE-LONG PATH AND COMMUNITY IMPACT! BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MENTORSHIP CLOSES TWO-THIRDS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC GAP, DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP TO BUILD SOCIAL CAPITAL AND FOSTER UPWARD MOBILITY

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.

    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 November 2002.

    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.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.