Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 14.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $144,095, ceo
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.3 million spent. THE MISSION OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHERN NEVADA IS TO CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH. THROUGH INTENTIONAL, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MENTORING MATCHES BETWEEN AT-RISK YOUTH LIVING IN POVERTY AND SCREENED, TRAINED ADULT MENTORS FROM THEIR COMMUNITY, BBBSNN HELPS TO EQUIP NORTHERN NEVADA'S FUTURE LEADERS WITH RESILIENCE, SOCIAL SKILLS, AVOIDANCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS, AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS THAT WILL HELP THEM FIND FUTURE SUCCESS. BBBSNN SERVES YOUTH AGE 6-18 IN RENO, SPARKS, CARSON CITY, AND LYON COUNTY. YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM REPORT IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH AND ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHOOL AND FAMILY. PROGRAM ALUMNI REPORT HIGHER RATES OF LIFE SATISFACTION, SATISFACTION WITH RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, HIGHER INCOMES, AND HIGHER EDUCATION LEVELS AS ADULTS WHEN COMPARED TO THEIR NON-MENTORED PEERS. THE MISSION OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHERN NEVADA IS TO CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH. THROUGH INTENTIONAL, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MENTORING MATCHES BETWEEN AT-RISK YOUTH LIVING IN POVERTY AND SCREENED, TRAINED ADULT MENTORS FROM THEIR COMMUNITY, BBBSNN HELPS TO EQUIP NORTHERN NEVADA'S FUTURE LEADERS WITH RESILIENCE, SOCIAL SKILLS, AVOIDANCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS, AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS THAT WILL HELP THEM FIND FUTURE SUCCESS. BBBSNN SERVES YOUTH AGE 6-18 IN RENO, SPARKS, CARSON CITY, AND LYON COUNTY. YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM REPORT IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH AND ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHOOL AND FAMILY. PROGRAM ALUMNI REPORT HIGHER RATES OF LIFE SATISFACTION, SATISFACTION WITH RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, HIGHER INCOMES, AND HIGHER EDUCATION LEVELS AS ADULTS WHEN COMPARED TO THEIR NON-MENTORED PEERS.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 21, 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.