Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF DANE COUNTY'S MISSION IS 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
- 61%
- Reserves
- 8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 605
- Highest pay
- $152,812, chief executive officer
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: 86 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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 2519 of 19 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (5)
- $479,535 spent. COMMUNITY-BASED:THE CORE, TRADITIONAL PROGRAM OF BBBS INVOLVES AN ADULT MENTOR "BIG" MATCHED WITH A CHILD "LITTLE". THESE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVE ONE-ON-ONE OUTINGS AND ACTIVITIES, DOING THINGS THE BIG AND LITTLE ENJOY TOGETHER LIKE: TAKING A WALK IN THE PARK, GOING TO A MUSEUM, LISTENING TO MUSIC, OR HANGING OUT AND TALKING. SOME BIGS MEET WITH THEIR LITTLES ON THE WEEKENDS. OTHERS GET TOGETHER WITH THEIR LITTLES ON WEEKDAY EVENINGS. EACH MATCH IS UNIQUE AND DEVELOPS A SCHEDULE THAT WORKS FOR THEM. EACH MATCH IS SUPERVISED AND SUPPORTED BY AN AGENCY MATCH SUPPORT SPECIALIST. IN 2025, WE CREATED 151 NEW MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS AND SERVED 541 KIDS.MATCH SUPPORT - THE PROFESSIONAL MONITORING, SUPPORT AND CONTINUAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BIG, LITTLE, PARENT/GUARDIAN(S), AND SITE PARTNERS WHILE THE MATCH IS ACTIVE. MATCH SUPPORT STAFF GUIDE THE MATCH IN ACHIEVING POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR THE YOUTH, AND TRANSITION THE MATCH TO CLOSURE AND RE-ENGAGEMENT WHEN APPROPRIATE. 2025 RESULTED IN 576 MENTORS TO 543 KIDS. OUR BIGS SPENT 59,904 HOURS WITH THEIR LITTLE, RESULTING IN $2,084,060 INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR AVERAGE MATCH LENGTH TIME IS 39.1 MONTHS. WE CONDUCTED 207 VOLUNTEER INTERVIEWS WITH PROSPECTIVE BIGS.AGENCY-SPONSORED MATCH ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS - PLAN AND CONDUCT YOUTH-CENTERED ACTIVITIES THAT BOTH ENHANCE THE CONNECTION TO THE AGENCY AND STRENGTHEN MATCH RELATIONSHIPS. AGENCY-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES CAN RANGE FROM ONE-TIME EVENTS SUCH AS HOLIDAY PARTIES AND BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNICS TO STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES THAT SPAN SEVERAL WEEKS OR MONTHS. WE HOSTED 37 MATCH ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, FOSTERING COMMUNITY AND FRIENDSHIP AMONG OUR MATCHES.
- $422,919 spent. ENROLLMENT:VOLUNTEER ENROLLMENT - POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION FORM, PROVIDING BASIC INFORMATION AND EXPRESSING THEIR INTEREST IN BECOMING A MENTOR. BBBS STAFF REVIEWS THE APPLICATION AND CONTACTS THE APPLICANT TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. APPLICANTS ATTEND A VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON INTERVIEW WITH BBBS STAFF TO DISCUSS THEIR MOTIVATIONS, INTERESTS, AND SUITABILITY FOR MENTORING. A THOROUGH BACKGROUND CHECK IS CONDUCTED, INCLUDING: CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK, FINGERPRINT CHECK (FOR FEDERAL GRANTS), AND DRIVING RECORD CHECK. VOLUNTEERS ATTEND PRE-MATCH TRAINING SESSIONS TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAM, EXPECTATIONS, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR MENTORING. BBBS STAFF CAREFULLY ASSESSES THE VOLUNTEER'S INTERESTS, PERSONALITY, AND PREFERENCES TO FIND A SUITABLE MATCH WITH A CHILD. ONCE A POTENTIAL MATCH IS IDENTIFIED, THE VOLUNTEER'S INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH THE CHILD'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN FOR APPROVAL. A MEETING IS ARRANGED BETWEEN THE VOLUNTEER, THE CHILD, THE CHILD'S PARENT/GUARDIAN, AND A BBBS MATCH SUPPORT SPECIALIST. DURING THIS MEETING, AGENCY GROUND RULES ARE DISCUSSED, AND ANY REMAINING PAPERWORK IS COMPLETED.CHILD ENROLLMENT - PARENTS OR GUARDIANS INITIATE THE PROCESS BY CONTACTING BBBS AGENCY OR FILLING OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHILD AND FAMILY IS COLLECTED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY. THE CHILD ENROLLMENT SPECIALISTS CONDUCTS AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PARENT/GUARDIAN AND THE CHILD. THIS INTERVIEW HELPS THE AGENCY UNDERSTAND THE CHILD'S NEEDS, INTERESTS, AND PERSONALITY TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATE MATCH. THE INTERVIEW TAKES PLACE AT THE FAMILY'S HOME. CHILD SAFETY TRAINING IS PROVIDED FOR BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN. AFTER THE INTERVIEW AND ASSESSMENT, THE CHILD IS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE WAITING PERIOD CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE MENTORS. WHEN A POTENTIAL MENTOR IS IDENTIFIED, BBBS STAFF PRESENTS THE MATCH TO THE FAMILY. PARENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE INPUT ON THE PROPOSED MATCH. IF THE MATCH IS APPROVED, A MEETING IS ARRANGED BETWEEN THE CHILD, PARENT/GUARDIAN, THE MENTOR, AND A BBBS CASE MANAGER. THIS MEETING ALLOWS EVERYONE TO GET ACQUAINTED AND DISCUSS PROGRAM GUIDELINES.VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT - DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING TARGETED RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNS TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC NEEDS. ATTENDING COMMUNITY FAIRS AND EVENTS ALIGNED WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. PARTNERING WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO RECRUIT STUDENT VOLUNTEERS. FORMING PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, SPONSORS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR RECRUITMENT, INCLUDING CREATING SHAREABLE CONTENT FOR VOLUNTEERS. DISTRIBUTING PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS. IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE. HOSTING RECRUITMENT EVENTS, SUCH AS INFORMATION SESSIONS. PROVIDING PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS LIKE POSTERS AND FLYERS WITH QR CODES FOR EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
- $124,086 spent. SITE-BASED MENTORING -SCHOOL FRIENDS MENTORING - ADULT MENTORS (BIGS) VISIT THEIR LITTLES ONE TIME PER WEEK FOR 30-60 MINUTES DURING LUNCH/RECESS OR AFTER SCHOOL. MATCHES PLAY SPORTS, READ, AND DO ARTS & CRAFTS, OR JUST HANG OUT AND TALK. BBBS STAFF ARE ON-SITE DURING THE PROGRAM TO FACILITATE ACTIVITIES, CONNECT WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL, AND PROVIDE IN-PERSON SUPPORT TO BIGS/LITTLES. IN 2025, WE CREATED 38 MATCHES AT 5 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS.THE HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (HSLP) THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAM PAIRS HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS WITH ELEMENTARY MENTEES IN MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT BUILD CONFIDENCE AND INCREASE CONNECTEDNESS TO SCHOOL, CULTURE, AND PEERS. THE PROGRAM USES A CURRICULUM THAT GIVES YOUNGER AND OLDER STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER DURING THEIR WEEKLY MENTORING SESSIONS, WITH ENGAGING ACTIVITIES CENTERED ON TOPICS LIKE DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET, BUILDING EMPATHY, LEARNING STEM SKILLS, AND PRACTICING GRATITUDE. HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS ALSO RECEIVE COACHING AND MENTORSHIP FROM BBBS STAFF. IN 2025, WE SERVED 22 MATCHES AT TWO ELEMENTARY/HIGH SCHOOL PARTNER SITES, SERVING 44 ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
- $13,149 spent. OTHER - ADDITIONAL EVENTS, SUPPLIES, AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT BBBS' ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING PROGRAMS.
- $9,549 spent. BACK-TO-SCHOOL - AN ANNUAL EVENT WHERE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS ARE PROVIDED TO MENTEES TO GET THEM READY FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1975.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.