Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Working with parents, guardians, and volunteers, we create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Mission and Vision Continued Vision: We believe ALL youth can reach their full potential thereby contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger, healthier communities for all. Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Commitment: At Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL), diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral parts of our values and mission. We seek out, recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all stakeholders, including youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff. We ensure the opportunity for all voices and perspectives to be heard and honored. In the workplace, we foster an environment where lived experience is valued and where all people can be their best selves. We affirm that all people no matter their ability, age, cultural background, ethnic
- Income
- $479,321
- Spending
- $945,095
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 299
- Highest pay
- $105,622, ceo (former)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 47% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 97% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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 June 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)
- $657,778 spent. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL) focuses on its Community-Based Mentoring Program. This programs is designed to be both PROTECTIVE and PREVENTATIVE. Study after study confirms that the presence of a caring, consistent adult can make a significant difference in the trajectory of a child's life. BBBSL takes this benefit to the next level as it provides children in need with trained mentors who are professionally supported and coached for the life of the relationship. (Continued on Schedule O)Community-Based Mentoring Program:In its long-standing, hallmark, evidence-based Community-Based Mentoring Program, BBBSL recruits and matches children with caring adult mentors in one-on-one mentoring relationships. Professional staff enroll, train, and provide case management for all volunteers, children, and their families. These relationships are created with a goal to provide children with the emotional and social support, attention, and guidance necessary to support strong scholastic achievement, healthy peer-to peer/family relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and strong self-concept. Among children served, ages range from seven (7) through high school graduation.Further, children served will often live in poverty; be from homes without two parents; be at elevated risk for involvement with the juvenile justice system; be youth of color, including African-American and Hispanic youth; be youth in a foster program; have an incarcerated parent; have a parent in the military; be from rural communities; or have a disability. Many of these youth will also have experienced adverse childhood experiences including, but not limited to physical and/or sexual abuse; physical and/or emotional neglect; domestic violence; substance abuse within the household; household mental illness; parental separation or divorce.EVEN facing such significant system obstacles, ALL the Littles BBBSL serves are chock full of potential, talent, and resilience and deserve the opportunity to chase down their BIGGEST dreams. We say "YES" to hopeful parents and guardians who see incredible potential in their child, and we commit to finding a safe and caring adult mentor/Big willing to stand in their mentee's/Little's corner and have their back.As such, BBBSL's model is designed to help youth gain protective factors that help prevent and build resiliency against additional childhood adversity and to help children imagine healthy, happy, and productive futures. To ensure effectiveness, BBBSL measures and tracks the social, emotional, and academic progress made by each Little using an evidence-based youth and child outcome surveys at regular intervals. Staff compares pre-and post-survey results to assess child improvement in key areas. Professional staff use outcome data 1) to help inform coaching provided to mentors and parents/guardians to support future improvement and 2) to improve overall case management support provided to parents and mentors. Outcomes surveys measure changes in parental trust, social acceptance and peer relations, scholastic improvement; educational expectations; exposure to risk behaviors and more. Over time, all such factors correlate with improved school attendance, classroom behavior, grades, and graduation; improved mental health and self-esteem; avoidance of substance abuse and crime.Also acknowledging that longer, stronger relationships result in the most positive outcomes for children, BBBSL conducts a strength of relationship assessment designed to evaluate the strength of mentor-child relationships with a goal of increasing match retention. Staff review all outcomes assessments and conduct continuous quality improvement in BBBSL's service delivery and to inform coaching provided to mentors and parents/guardians. Further, staff adapts child case plans to address persistent concerns or meet new emerging needs. Thanks to this rigor, BBBSL's average match community-based length after 12-months in the program is greater than 40 months.Parents/guardians wishing for their child to receive one-to-one mentoring refer their child into the BBBSL's program. Following referral, BBBSL interviews both the child and the parent/guardian to identify whether the child and family would benefit from and be able to support a child-adult mentoring relationship. Additionally, the interview seeks to understand each child's social/behavioral/academic goals/needs, each child's interests/preferences, and the parent's/guardian's preferences for the mentoring relationship. Should BBBSL deem itself able to secure a volunteer mentor for the child, it will enroll the child into the program. BBBSL does not charge families to participate in the program.Volunteers who are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister must also go through an assessment/enrollment process which includes a comprehensive interview, criminaland driving background checks; reference checks, orientation, as well as initial, and when necessary, ongoing training to include, but not be limited to, child safety, trauma, cultural humility/JEDI, etc. Child safety is at the heart of the program, so before being matched, volunteers are screened both to determine safety whether they will be appropriate/psychologically safe mentors. Further, the mentor's interview will seek to determine the mentor's preferences, interests, and unique experiences that could prove beneficial for the mentoring relationship. BBBSL requests that volunteers cover the costs of their background checks ($30). When matching a child with an adult mentor, staff carefully consider all factors (interests, experience, geography, etc.) to make the best match possible.Before a match is made, BBBSL proposes the child first to the mentor. If the child agrees, BBBSL then proposes the mentor to the family. While the parent/caregiver has the power to veto the mentor, the child has final say even if the parent/caregiver approves.Once a match is made, the adult mentors provide their
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.
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 August 2019.
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 November 4, 2026.
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