About Our Organization

What does Big Brothers Big Sisters Do?

As the nation's largest donor-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches in communties acrosss the country between adult volunteers ('"Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 6 through 18. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. Professionally trained Big Brothers Big Sisters staff members work with our partners in the education and juvenile justice communities to find children facing adversity. They assess how our programs can have the greatest impact. Big Brothers Big Sisters targets the children who need us most, including those living in single parent homes, growing up in poverty, or coping with parental incarceration.

How does bowling help Big Brothers Big Sisters?

When you participate in Bowl for Kids, you have the power to change lives for the better, forever. We depend on the money raised from Bowl for Kids to carry out the work of carefully matching children with caring adult mentors and to provide ongoing support to the child, volunteer mentor, and the child's family. Today you can Register or Donate to support our efforts to change the life of a child forever!

How a Big becomes a Big—and a Little, a Little.

Before we make a match, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interest in becoming a Big, they go through background checks and a careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities, and preferences. We provide full support from the start, so matches can grow into lasting, impactful friendships. The entire matching process is made possible through donations—we can't do what we do best without those donations!

What are a Big and Little to do?

Each match is unique. Getting together doesn't require a special occasion or expensive activity—just a few hours every month doing things the Little and Big already enjoy. For example: Playing catch, Reading books, Going to a museum, Providing advice and inspiration. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends. Others get together with their Littles in the evenings. Each match develops a schedule that works for them. Sometimes the best place for enjoying activities together is at the child's school. And the best part is that it can be a great learning experience, in or out of the classroom. Find out about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister at an agency near you.