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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana Inc

EIN 35-1271943 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
23.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
72
Volunteers
2,000
Highest pay
$224,990, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 December 31, 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. $3.5 million spent. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHEAST INDIANA HAS INCREASED THE NUMBER OF MATCHES FROM 849 IN 2004 TO 1,239 IN 2025. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SERVES YOUTH ACROSS 12 COUNTIES IN INDIANA AND MICHIGAN AND SPECIALIZES IN PLACING POSITIVE ADULT ROLE MODELS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN THAT NEED EXTRA SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. A MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN HAVE A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD WITH AN INCOME OF LESS THAN 30,000 AND 15% HAVE A PARENT THAT IS INCARCERATED. THIS INNOVATIVE WORK HAS EARNED A LOCAL AND NATIONAL REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE WITH AWARDS SUCH AS: NATIONAL AGENCY OF THE YEAR IN 2006, 2009 AND 2012 AND NOMINATED AGAIN FOR 2017. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU RECOGNIZES IT AS THE FIRST NOTFORPROFIT TO RECEIVE THE TORCH AWARD FOR NOTFORPROFIT MARKETPLACE ETHICS AND THREE OF OUR VERY OWN MENTORS HAVE WON BIG OF THE YEAR FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 1972.

    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.