Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS, CHANGING THEIR LIVED FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER. OUR VISION IS THAT ALL CHILDREN ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN LIFE. OUR PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON FRIENDSHIP, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, SOCIAL SKILL ENHANCEMENT, WORKPLACE READINESS SKILLS AND GUIDANCE TO YOUTH.
- Income
- $914,938
- Spending
- $992,791
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 50%
- Employees
- 11
- Highest pay
- $28,802, executive di
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
Weak: 42 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 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: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
0 of 10Did not give 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, 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)
- $775,138 spent. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON IS A LOCAL AFFILIATE OF OUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1904. WE HAVE BEEN MAKING ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEEN AND ADULT VOLUNTEER MENTORS AND CHILDREN/YOUTH, 6-18 YEARS OF AGE, SINCE 1985. BBBS PROVIDES RESEARCH-BASED, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MENTORING PROGRAMS AT BOTH SCHOOLS SITES AND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACROSS A FIVE COUNTY AREA: THURSTON, LEWIS, PACIFIC, GRAYS HARBOR AND MASON COUNTIES. WE PARTNER WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONNECT CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH MENTORS TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON OFFERS SEVERAL HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. WITH INPUT FROM THE LITTLE'S FAMILY AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL, THE MENTORING IS FOCUSED SO THAT THE LITTLE RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT IN THE AREAS THEY NEED THE MOST. ALL MATCHES ARE CAREFULLY ADMINISTERED BY BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS STAFF MEMBERS FOLLOWING STRICT BACKGROUND AND INTERVIEW STANDARDS TO ENSURE THE MATCH BETWEEN THE BIG AND LITTLE IS SAFE AND WELL-SUITED TO THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD'S NEEDS, AS WELL AS HARMONIOUS AND BUILT TO LAST. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS PROGRAMS INCLUDE: (1) BIGS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM: OUR BIGS IN SCHOOL PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER YOUTH'S ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCE THEIR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS. STUDENTS, REFERRED BY TEACHERS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS, ARE STRUGGLING IN SCHOOL, LACK SOCIAL SKILLS OR HAVE PROBLEM BEHAVIORS SUCH AS AGGRESSIVENESS, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, OR SKIPPING CLASSES. ADULT AND HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS (BIGS) ARE RECRUITED FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, ARE MATCHING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AGES 6-13 YEARS OF AGE. STUDENT AND THEIR MENTORS MEET BETWEEN 30-60 MINUTES EACH WEEK AT A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OR AFTER-SCHOOL SITE, UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A BBBS STAFF MEMBER. MATCHES PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES THAT REFLECT THEIR MUTUAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES, SUCH AS ARTS AND CRAFTS, HOMEWORK AND EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH) PROJECTS, ORGANIZED GAMES AND SPORTS, AND BOARD GAMES. MENTORS OFFER STUDENTS TIME AND ATTENTION ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, PROMOTING POSITIVE PEER AND ADULT RELATIONSHIPS, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, ENHANCES SELF- CONFIDENCE, AND ACADEMIC ENCOURAGEMENT. (2) BIGS IN THE COMMUNITY: OUR BIGS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAM OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AGES 6-18 YEARS OF AGE, AND THEIR MENTORS TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. A BIG AND LITTLE ARE MATCHED BASED ON SHARED INTERESTS AND INDIVIDUAL CHILD'S NEEDS. BIGS MEET WITH THEIR LITTLES ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS HOMEWORK HELP, SHARING A MEAL TOGETHER, OR ATTENDING LOCAL MUSEUMS, THEATRE, AND SPORTING EVENTS. DURING MATCH OUTINGS, FILLED WITH CONVERSATION AND SHARED ACTIVITIES, BIGS AND LITTLES DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP TO HELP MANAGE THEIR EVERYDAY CHALLENGES OF GROWING UP. (3) MENTOR CONNECTIONS: OUR MENTOR CONNECTIONS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE STRESS OF PARENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND FREQUENT MOVES. SPECIALLY TRAINED BIGS MEET WITH THE MILITARY-CONNECTED LITTLES WEEKLY DURING SCHOOL HOURS TO SHARE LUNCH AND PARTICIPATE IN FUN AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES. (4) MENTOR U IS A HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM FOCUSING ON COLLEGE READINESS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, CAREER EXPLORATION AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING. THE PROGRAM IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH THAT PROVIDES ON-TO-ONE MENTORING TO HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH, BLENDING TECHNOLOGY WITH A CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO MEET A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT'S NEEDS, USING A FRAMEWORK BASED ON THE SKILLS STUDENTS NEED TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, BE READY FOR POST-HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS. AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN LIFE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A WEEKLY CLASS SESSION LED BY A BBS MENTOR U PROGRAM COORDINATOR. EACH GRADE LEVEL COURSE OUTLINE HAS SEVEN UNITS PROGRESSING IN TOPICS AS STUDENTS MOVE THROUGH GRADES 9 THROUGH 12. CURRICULUM UNITS INCLUDE: COMMUNICATION STYLES, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING; IDENTIFYING INTEREST AND PASSIONS; GOAL SETTING AND PURSUIT OF GOALS; GROWTH MINDSET; RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS; BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL; HOW DO I GET THERE (POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION); ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES; THE COLLEGE PROCESS; FINANCIAL LITERACY/GUIDANCE; WHO CAN I BECOME; AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON IS A LOCAL AFFILIATE OF OUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1904. WE HAVE BEEN MAKING ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEEN AND ADULT VOLUNTEER MENTORS AND CHILDREN/YOUTH, 6-18 YEARS OF AGE, SINCE 1985. BBBS PROVIDES RESEARCH-BASED, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MENTORING PROGRAMS AT BOTH SCHOOLS SITES AND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACROSS A FIVE COUNTY AREA: THURSTON, LEWIS, PACIFIC, GRAYS HARBOR AND MASON COUNTIES. WE PARTNER WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONNECT CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH MENTORS TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON OFFERS SEVERAL HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. WITH INPUT FROM THE LITTLE'S FAMILY AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL, THE MENTORING IS FOCUSED SO THAT THE LITTLE RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT IN THE AREAS THEY NEED THE MOST. ALL MATCHES ARE CAREFULLY ADMINISTERED BY BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS STAFF MEMBERS FOLLOWING STRICT BACKGROUND AND INTERVIEW STANDARDS TO ENSURE THE MATCH BETWEEN THE BIG AND LITTLE IS SAFE AND WELL-SUITED TO THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD'S NEEDS, AS WELL AS HARMONIOUS AND BUILT TO LAST. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS PROGRAMS INCLUDE: (1) BIGS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM: OUR BIGS IN SCHOOL PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER YOUTH'S ACADEMIC
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 July 1985.
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.