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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks Inc

EIN 43-0971303 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER. MOST OF THE CHILDREN SERVED BY BBBSO ARE FROM SINGLE-PARENT, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, OR HOUSEHOLDS WHERE A PARENT IS INCARCERATED. STATISTICALLY, THESE YOUTH ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE CRISES INCLUDING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG ABUSE. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE OZARKS PRIDES ITSELF IN PROVIDING PREVENTATIVE MENTORING SERVICES WHICH DIRECTLY INVEST IN BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, CHANGING BEHAVIORS AND CHOICES, WHICH ULTIMATELY LEADS TO IMPROVING COMMUNITIES. BBBSO HAS SERVED OVER 15,000 YOUTH IN SW MISSOURI SINCE 1983.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 57%
Employees
28
Volunteers
323
Highest pay
$100,711, executive director

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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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, 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. $812,761 spent. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE OZARKS (BBBSO) HOLDS FIRM THAT EVERY CHILD HAS INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL. WE COMMIT TO PROTECTING AND EMPOWERING THAT POTENTIAL. OUR ESSENTIAL FUNCTION IS TO MATCH AND SUPPORT PROFESSIONALLY SCREENED ADULT VOLUNTEER "BIGS" WITH YOUTH "LITTLES" THROUGH OUR ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING PROGRAM. OUR MATCHES SPEND QUALITY ONE ON ONE TIME TOGETHER WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF OUR BBBSO PROGRAM STAFF.

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 October 13, 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 March 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 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.