Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program

What Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program does

Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program (BSLS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on July 7, 2008, by Aneisha Hughes, headquartered in Houston, Texas with a regional office in Beverly Hills, California. The organization delivers mentorship, career readiness, financial literacy, wellness, and leadership programming to young women at the high school and college level through 27 campus-based chapters across 13 U.S. states, and reports having served 17,300+ youth and women since inception.

BSLS operates a portfolio of 16 interconnected programs including the Professional Mentoring Program (PMP, powered by the Chronus mentorship matching platform), Peer-to-Peer Mentorship, Career Readiness Workshops, the Financial Literacy Excellence (FiLE) program (sponsored by Electus and Visa), the Hear Our Voice (HOV) 8-week mental health and wellness series, and a lifetime Alumni Association. Programming is delivered in-person through chapters at universities and high schools, supplemented by Zoom-based virtual events and webinars, and consolidated at an annual conference and gala (Sweet 16 at Waldorf Astoria Orlando in 2024; Legacy 17 at Rosen Shingle Creek in September 2025). Member Resource Groups (CAP, INC, CINE, POG:BLU) add leadership, innovation, creative, and literary engagement tracks.

The revenue model is entirely donation- and sponsorship-based: individual donations (via Qgiv, vehicle donations, recurring gifts), tiered corporate sponsorships (Royal, Gold, Silver — with Royal sponsors including Chronus, Google, and L'Oréal), low-ticket merchandise sales through an online shop, and small fundraisers (e.g., Spring Popcorn Fundraiser with Double Good Popcorn). Membership for mentees is free; the organization operates with a small paid staff (1-10) supplemented by volunteers and interns, and is supported by strategic programming partners including Bank of America (Better Money Habits), Cintas (Leadership and Career Readiness Workshop Series), Michigan Medicine (S.T.A.R.T. program), and Warner Bros (advance screenings).

Name

Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program

Legal name

Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program

Website

https://bigsisterlittlesister.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 that delivers mentorship, career readiness, financial literacy, and leadership programming to young women across 27 campus chapters in 13 U.S. states, funded through corporate sponsorships and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentorship Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL), Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL) (EDAKAMAO), Study Habits & Homework Systems Workshops (EDAMAIAL), Alumni, Peer & Community Networking Programs (EDAMAKAM)

Keywords

• Youth mentorship programs
• Women leadership development
• College student mentoring
• Nonprofit education services
• Financial literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization accepts online donations via Qgiv platform, vehicle donations, and check-by-mail contributions. Donors can give one-time or recurring donations at varying levels to support mentorship programs and operational costs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: BSLS generates revenue through tiered corporate sponsorships (Royal, Gold, Silver levels). Sponsors receive brand recognition at events, chapters, and in marketing materials. Partners include major brands like L'Oreal, Microsoft, Google, Walmart, Target, Bank of America, and NBCUniversal.
3. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an e-commerce shop selling branded merchandise including lapel pins ($7), carrying bags ($18), retractable banner stands ($99), chapter welcome kits ($100), and graduation cords ($15).
4. Fundraising Events: BSLS conducts fundraising events such as the Spring Popcorn Fundraiser in partnership with Double Good Popcorn, where 50% of each sale goes directly to the organization.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program (BSLS) operates a national network of 27 campus-based mentorship chapters at universities and high schools across 13 U.S. states, delivering free peer-to-peer mentoring, professional mentoring (powered by Chronus), career readiness workshops, financial literacy education, mental health and wellness programming, and leadership development to high school and college-aged young women. The organization funds these programs through individual donations, tiered corporate sponsorships, branded merchandise sales, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of 16 interconnected mentoring and empowerment programs designed to support youth and women. The portfolio includes core mentorship programs (Professional Mentoring Program/PMP, Peer-to-Peer Mentorship), skill-building workshops (Career Readiness Workshops, BSLS 7 Ways, Financial Literacy Excellence/FiLE), member resource groups (Chapter Ambassador Program/CAP, Innovation Incubator Network Circle/INC, Creative Innovators Network Expression/CINE, Pages of Growth/POG:BLU), wellness initiatives (Hear Our Voice/HOV, Council), and community engagement programs (Environmental Projects, Community Outreach). Alumni Association provides lifetime engagement, while WOMENAlign | Lock + Key and Sister to Sister (S2S) Academy offer specialized career and onboarding support. The programs are powered by the Chronus mentorship platform and complemented by an official merchandise shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Readiness Workshops One to two-day workshops that provide resume development, interview preparation, personal branding, professional communication, and entrepreneurship fundamentals through corporate collaboration for BSLS members.
• Professional Mentoring Program (PMP) Professional mentorship program powered by Chronus, with experienced mentors tailored for mentees to succeed post-college, with a minimum duration of 6 months for active BSLS members.
• Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Mentorship program throughout membership in respective chapters for the full academic year, promoting accountability, social connections, and a sense of belonging for chapter members.
• Financial Literacy Excellence (FiLE) Self-paced financial literacy education program with annual workshops in April for Financial Literacy Month, powered and sponsored by Electus and Visa, for BSLS members.
• Hear Our Voice (HOV) Eight-week program addressing mental health and wellness, promoting effective communication and leadership, and fostering emotional resilience for BSLS members.
• WOMENAlign | Lock + Key Ten-week program providing career coaching, resume reviewing, mentorship, and insights into STEAM and Entrepreneurship fields for BSLS members.
• Sister to Sister (S2S) Academy One to three week training program covering the history, scope of BSLS, and celebrating diversity and inclusion in sisterhood for onboarding members.
• Council Three to six week program providing life and soft skills training for 'little sisters' transitioning to 'big sisters' with bonding and empowerment activities.
• BSLS 7 Ways Seven-week master class program instilling BSLS Core Values and life skills, focusing on collaboration, communication, service, empowerment, self-growth, leadership, trust, and accountability for members.
• Pages of Growth: Bonds of Literary Unity (POG:BLU) Book and media club focused on personal and professional growth through curated book/media lists and discussions on growth-oriented or social impact shows and movies for members.
• Creative Innovators Network Expression (CINE) A dynamic platform for members to develop and showcase artistic skills through diverse workshops and exhibitions, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and creativity within a supportive community.
• Chapter Ambassador Program (CAP) Member resource group that builds a network of leaders advocating for BSLS's mission on a national level and empowers members to assume leadership roles.
• Innovation Incubator Network Circle (INC) Member resource group providing a platform for professional growth, leadership development, and collaboration on special projects with corporate partners.
• Environmental Projects Promotes environmental responsibility through regular and event-based activities including street clean-ups, campus clean-ups, and beach clean-ups for members.
• Community Outreach Programs Year-round community service engagement through various service projects and local community fairs, fostering a spirit of giving and community development.
• Alumni Association Lifetime membership program providing networking opportunities, mentorship access, exclusive events, resources, community engagement, and speaking panel opportunities for alumni.
• BSLS Shop (Merchandise) Official store offering apparel and accessories including graduation cords, carrying bags, retractable banner stands, chapter welcome kits, and lapel pins to support fundraising.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,300+ youth and women served since inception in 2008
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of America partners with BSLS on the 'Better Money Habits' financial literacy workshop series. Telebah Woods, Senior Vice President of Global Community Opportunity, leads sessions covering banking basics, financial independence, debt reduction strategies, and credit management. Multiple sessions have been conducted including Part I and Part II workshops, with certificates of completion provided to participants.
• ChronuscoreTechnology or IntegrationChronus powers the Professional Mentoring Program (PMP), providing the mentorship matching and relationship management platform. BSLS members access the platform at bsls.chronus.com, where mentors sign up to be matched with active high school and college-aged BSLS members for professional mentorship.
• CintascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCintas partners with BSLS for an exclusive Leadership and Career Readiness Workshop Series at campus locations including North Carolina Central University, Clark Atlanta University, and University of South Florida. Raymond Cronin, Vice President at Cintas, leads sessions for current members and recent alumni (graduated within last 3 years) focusing on internships, post-grad roles, and professional development.
• Michigan MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Medicine partners with BSLS at Michigan State University on the S.T.A.R.T. program (Part I virtual session). Dr. Rachel C. Hooper, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at University of Michigan School of Medicine, serves as a speaker, providing medical career insights and clinical specialization expertise to BSLS members interested in medical careers.
• ElectuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerElectus sponsors the Financial Literacy Excellence (FiLE) program, which educates members on financial literacy and management through self-paced courses and annual workshops. The program is also powered by Visa, providing educational content on finances, budgeting, investing, and more.
• VisacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVisa partners with Electus to power the Financial Literacy Excellence (FiLE) program, enabling members to earn as they learn while gaining knowledge on finances, budgeting, investing, and more. The program aligns with Financial Literacy Month in April.
• Flash Party Photo BoothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlash Party Photo Booth provides a photo booth activation for the 12th Annual Community Fair in Houston, TX. As a leading photo booth rental provider in Houston, their activation creates lasting memories for families attending the free community event.
• Warner BrosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWarner Bros invites BSLS members and supporters to advance screenings of films including DUNE: PART TWO and SMURFS movie. These exclusive screenings, held before theatrical release, serve as thank-you events for the BSLS community and leverage entertainment industry partnerships for member engagement.
• Double Good PopcornminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBSLS partners with Double Good Popcorn for the Spring Popcorn Fundraiser. 50% of every popcorn purchase goes directly to BSLS during the limited-time fundraiser, providing a fun and easy way for supporters to contribute while purchasing products.
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists (Courtni Todd, Kendra Smith)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBSLS partners with licensed speech-language pathologists Courtni Todd and Kendra Smith for the 'Let's Talk: Elevating Every Voice Through Speech & Communication' webinar during Better Hearing and Speech Month. Speakers provide guidance on speech tips, confident communication, and career paths in speech-language pathology.
• Team BondingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTeam Bonding selected BSLS as the 2023 Charity of Choice for their Bike Build project. BSLS TSU President and National Team Member represented the organization at the donor reception, receiving bikes and helmets for inner city youth in need.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Girls Inc. National nonprofit empowering girls ages 5-18 through mentoring, education, and advocacy. Operates an affiliate network similar to BSLS's chapter model and shares the same women-empowerment mission focus.
• iMentor: Nonprofit that pairs college students with mentors from partner companies; closely comparable to BSLS's PMP and chapter-based delivery to high school and college youth.
• Step Up: Nonprofit mentoring girls from under-resourced communities to become confident, college-bound, and career-ready. Overlaps with BSLS on mentee demographic, mentorship delivery, and college-and-career readiness programming.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: The largest youth mentoring nonprofit in the U.S., matching adult mentors with young people. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned peer serving similar mentee populations, with a far larger national footprint and longer operating history.
• Jack and Jill of America, Inc. African American family-focused membership organization developing youth leadership through local chapters. Highly comparable to BSLS in chapter-based delivery, leadership programming, and culturally focused youth development mission.

Emerging players

• Million Women Mentors: National movement to mentor girls and women in STEM fields. Comparable to BSLS on women-focused mentorship but operates as an advocacy/coordinating coalition rather than direct service provider with chapters.

Broad incumbents

• National Black MBA Association: Professional membership organization supporting Black business leaders through networking, mentorship, and career programming. Comparable to BSLS Alumni Association in serving career-stage professional women of color.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit connecting young adults to corporate careers via training and mentorship. Comparable to BSLS in mentor-driven career readiness but operates at larger scale and serves a broader demographic.
• Dress for Success: Global nonprofit advancing women's economic empowerment through career development, professional attire, and coaching. Overlaps with BSLS on career readiness and women empowerment but serves adult women rather than youth.
• National Girls Collaborative Project: Network connecting organizations that encourage girls in STEM; comparable as an umbrella/membership-style nonprofit serving similar mentor organizations and overlapping on STEM career pathways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCB23wClcLychPZsXd-Fwr-w/videos
• Instagraminstagram.com/official_bsls
• Xx.com/Official_BSLS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-sister-little-sister-mentoring-program

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program