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Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County Inc

EIN 95-2151526 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BBBS MISSION: CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY MENTORING MODEL SINCE 1961, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SAN DIEGO (BBBS SAN DIEGO) HAS BEEN A LEADER IN PROVIDING 1:1 MENTORING. THE CORE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM, WHERE ONE CHILD (LITTLE) IS INTENTIONALLY "MATCHED" WITH AN ADULT VOLUNTEER (BIG) IN A LONG-TERM, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MENTORING RELATIONSHIP, REMAINS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR MODEL TODAY.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
17.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
31
Volunteers
627
Highest pay
$191,801, ceo/president

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    32 of 32 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 (2)
  1. $1.6 million spent. OUR COMMUNITY BASED MENTORING PROGRAM IS THE AGENCY'S FLAGSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM. SINCE 1961, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY (BBBS SAN DIEGO) HAS PROVIDED AND SUPPORTED PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED, ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CARING ADULT VOLUNTEERS (BIGS) AND YOUTH FACING ADVERSITY (LITTLES), PRIMARILY AGES 7-18, WITH TRANSITION SUPPORT UP TO AGE 21.THIS PROVEN MODEL IS BACKED BY THIRD-PARTY RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE RESULTS, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT, SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING, DIRECTLY IMPACTING A CHILD'S LONG-TERM TRAJECTORY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.OUR COMMUNITY MENTORING PROGRAM PAIRS BIGS AND LITTLES WHO MEET INDEPENDENTLY 2-4 TIMES A MONTH FOR JOINT OUTINGS AND MAINTAIN FREQUENT CONTACT VIA PHONE, TEXT, OR EMAIL, ALL WITH THE GOAL OF BUILDING A STRONG, ENDURING, LIFE-CHANGING RELATIONSHIP. THIS PERSONAL BOND IS CONTINUALLY AMPLIFIED BY OUR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM STAFF, WHO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS SUPPORT TO THE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR TEAM IS TRAINED IN TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AND HOLDS 3-YEAR CERTIFICATIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID, ENSURING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS DEALING WITH TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND OTHER FAMILY-RELATED CHALLENGES.WE STRATEGICALLY FOCUS THIS MENTORING MODEL ON YOUTH EXHIBITING RISK FACTORS, TARGETING THOSE MOST LIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM CONSISTENT, POSITIVE GUIDANCE. OUR KEY INITIATIVES SERVE:- BIG FUTURES: YOUTH EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES AT SCHOOL, INCLUDING ACADEMIC TROUBLE, BULLYING, AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.- CALIFORNIA VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (CALVIP) SERVING YOUTH WITH A BACKGROUND OF TRAUMA, ABUSE, OR DISPROPORTIONATE EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE PREVALENT IN NEIGHBORHOOD CULTURES AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS.- CULTURALLY COMPETENT INITIATIVES SUCH AS AYANA (FOR CHALDEAN REFUGEE CHILDREN) AND HERMANDAD (FOR LATINX CHILDREN).
  2. $386,334 spent. OPERATION BIGS ADDRESSES THE DISTINCTIVE NEEDS FOR MILITARY YOUTH, PROVIDING A UNIQUELY SELECTED MENTOR FOR EACH YOUTH AND HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT FOR EACH MATCH. THIS YEAR COMMEMORATES THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR OPERATION BIGS PROGRAM, SPECIFICALLY WORKING WITH MILITARY FAMILIES WHO ARE A SIGNIFICANT REPRESENTATION WITHIN SAN DIEGO. THE TREMENDOUS SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR PARTNERS OVER THESE TWO DECADES HAVE ENABLED THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO STEADFASTLY GROW THIS PROGRAM AND FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF OUR VALUED MILITARY COMMUNITY.

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 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 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 June 1961.

    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.