Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago (BBBSChi) is an Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, founded in 1967 and headquartered at 130 S. Jefferson St. in Chicago. It operates Metro Chicago's largest donor and volunteer-supported youth mentoring network, serving children ages 7 through high school graduation across Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana, with a staff of 65+ professionals and a newly opened South Side regional office.

The organization's core service is one-to-one mentoring between adult volunteers (Bigs) and youth (Littles), delivered through Community Based Mentoring (matches meeting 2-4 times monthly in the community) and Site Based Mentoring (structured programs in schools, workplaces, and community centers). In 2025 it launched its first In-School Mentoring program. Adjacent offerings extend the youth life-stage arc: Big Futures (ages 14-24, post-secondary and career prep), Big Sports and Play, the Akesh Experience enrichment fund, and a 2024-launched BBBSChi Custom merchandise store. Operations are supported by 50+ corporate partners, 20+ foundation partners, government funding (Cook County ARPA, City of Chicago DFSS), and sports partnerships with Bears Care, Bulls Charities, Cubs Charities, and NFL Inspire Change.

The business model is donation-based rather than commercial: approximately 90% of revenue derives from private individual contributions, augmented by corporate engagement, foundation grants, special events (Big Golf has raised over $2M cumulatively since 2005, Night of Champions targets $300K+ annually, Chicago Marathon charity team), government contracts, merchandise, and emerging channels such as crypto donations via The Giving Block. Mentoring services are free for enrolled families; donors fund matches at tiers such as $50 for enrichment events, $250 to recruit/train a Big, and $2,000 to support a match for one year. The Drive for 5 capital campaign carries an $8.975M multi-year goal to double annual youth served from approximately 2,000 to 5,000.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

Website

https://bbbschgo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate providing free one-to-one youth mentoring across four Chicago-area counties, serving children ages 7 through high school graduation via volunteer-driven Community Based, Site Based, and In-School programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentoring Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL) (EDAKAMAO)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• One-to-one mentoring
• Nonprofit youth development
• Mentor matching programs
• Community youth support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Private individual contributions provide approximately 90% of revenue base. Includes one-time donations, monthly giving (Match Makers program), and major gifts.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate engagement including workplace mentoring programs, event sponsorships, board placements, and general program support from 50+ corporate partners.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from 20+ foundation partners including family foundations, community foundations, and national philanthropy.
4. Special Events: Fundraising events including Big Golf (raised over $2M since 2005), Night of Champions, Chicago Marathon charity team, bowling events, and galas.
5. Government Contracts: Support from government partners including Cook County ARPA funds, City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, and local municipalities.
6. Merchandise Sales: Online store (bbbschishop.com) selling custom merchandise with proceeds supporting mentoring matches.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago (BBBSChi) creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and youth ages 7 through high school graduation ("Littles"). Core programs include Community Based Mentoring (matches meeting 2-4 times monthly in local communities) and Site Based Mentoring delivered at schools, workplaces, and community centers. Supporting offerings include Big Futures (post-secondary prep for ages 14-24), Big Sports and Play, and the Akesh Experience.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago offers youth mentoring programs including Community Based Mentoring (1:1 matches meeting in local communities) and Site Based Mentoring (programs at schools, community centers, and workplaces). Additional offerings include Big Futures (career/education prep for ages 14-24), Big Sports and Play, the Akesh Experience memorial fund, and a merchandise store. The organization runs the Drive for 5 capital campaign to expand services from 2,000 to 5,000 youth annually. Donation options include cryptocurrency, monthly giving (Match Makers), and the Match Enrichment Fund for experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Based Mentoring One-to-one mentoring program where volunteer Bigs are matched with children ages 7-14. Matches meet 2-4 times monthly in local communities for activities like dinners, museum visits, and sports. Available to families in Cook, DuPage, Lake Counties (IL) and Lake County (IN).
• Site Based Mentoring Structured mentoring programs delivered at schools, community centers, and corporate workplaces, led by professional BBBSChi staff. Includes Workplace (employee mentors paired with students), Neighborhood-Based (community centers), and School-Based (university students mentoring K-12 students) variants. Sessions held 2-4 times monthly.
• In-School Mentoring First-ever in-school mentoring program launched in 2025, bringing mentorship directly into classrooms to expand access for youth.
• Big Futures Post-secondary readiness program for Littles and BBBSChi alumni ages 14-24, supporting success in education, career preparation, and life exploration.
• Big Sports and Play Sports-focused program matching volunteer Bigs with Littles interested in sports. Includes participation, spectating, and career exploration pillars.
• Akesh Experience Memorial fund program created to enhance match relationships through exclusive experiences for Littles and their Bigs, honoring Akesh Yelavarthy.
• BBBSChi Custom Store Online merchandise store offering custom BBBSChi branded apparel and gear. A portion of proceeds supports mentoring matches.
• Match Enrichment Fund Fund providing financial support for educational achievement, college and career preparation, health and wellness, and aptitude enhancement for existing matches.
• Cryptocurrency Donation Program Donation program accepting over 70 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and various tokens through The Giving Block/Gemini Exchange for crypto donations supporting mentoring programs.
• Match Makers Monthly Giving Monthly recurring giving program allowing donors to make ongoing contributions to support BBBSChi mentoring programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of high school seniors graduated with a plan for their future
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• UPSflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPS's First Official Mentorship Partner. Workplace mentoring program where UPS employees mentor students from partner schools. Expanded partnership focused on workplace mentorship and career readiness.
• AbbViecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting youth mentoring programs through corporate engagement initiatives.
• AccenturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with workplace mentoring program and employee volunteer engagement.
• AllstatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting BBBSChi mentoring programs.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner; Board Chair Jeff Michalczyk is VP at CIBC. Supports Chicago Marathon charity partner program.
• CIBCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard Chair Jeff Michalczyk represents CIBC. Major corporate partner.
• CDWcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with workplace mentoring program and employee engagement.
• DeloittecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with Secretary Carrie Falkenhayn on Board of Directors.
• EYcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with Board representation from Dave Holloman.
• KPMGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with Board representation from Jeff Burns.
• PwCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with Board representation from Manoj Mahenthiran.
• PaylocitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and Big Golf Presenting Sponsor (sold out). Board representation from JT Staiger.
• PepsiCocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with Board representation from Julie Raheja-Perera.
• Bears CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports partner providing tickets and experiences for Littles.
• Chicago Bulls CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports partner providing tickets and experiences for Littles.
• Chicago Cubs CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports partner providing tickets and experiences for Littles including college tours and road trips.
• NFL Inspire ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL social justice initiative partner supporting youth programs.
• Northwestern MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting youth mentoring and wellness programs.
• Dutch Bros CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to help build brighter futures for local youth through mentorship programs creating meaningful relationships between caring adults and young people.
• Fleet Feet ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Marathon charity partner providing complimentary training for Team BBBSChi runners.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National umbrella organization and parent of BBBSChi. Directly comparable as the network that licenses the brand, methodology, and screening standards that BBBSChi operates under; success of local affiliates directly drives BBBSA national reach and vice versa.
• National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR): National umbrella that sets mentoring standards and supports mentoring programs including BBBS affiliates. Highly comparable because it advances the same evidence-based 1:1 mentoring model, conducts research on outcomes, and represents the broader mentoring ecosystem BBBSChi belongs to.
• Communities in Schools: National nonprofit placing adult coordinators inside K-12 schools to deliver case-management, mentoring, and graduation-focused supports. Closely comparable in outcome focus (graduation rates, attendance) and in-school delivery model that BBBSChi just launched in 2025.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City: Largest U.S. affiliate of the BBBS network, running community- and site-based mentoring in NYC. Sister affiliate under the same brand, methodology, and outcome-tracking framework; comparable operating model, donor mix, and program structure to BBBSChi.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Largest U.S. youth-development nonprofit network, operating club-based programs for school-age youth. Comparable target population and outcome focus (graduation, avoidance of risky behavior) but delivers through physical clubs and group programming rather than 1:1 mentoring.
• Girls Inc. National nonprofit operating local affiliates that deliver mentoring, education, and youth development programs primarily for girls. Comparable mission and affiliate structure, with overlap in mentoring and career-readiness programming for adolescent girls.
• 4-H (National 4-H Council): Long-standing U.S. youth-development organization delivering mentoring, STEM, civic, and career programs through local clubs and schools. Comparable target demographic and outcome focus (graduation, leadership) with broader programming footprint and university-extension roots.

Regional players

• YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: Major regional youth-services provider in the same Chicago metro footprint, offering after-school, mentoring-adjacent, and enrichment programs. Competes for the same corporate partners, volunteer pools, and family mindshare within the four-county BBBSChi service area.

Emerging players

• iMentor: National youth-mentoring nonprofit pairing adults with high school students via in-school and virtual mentoring, with a strong college-readiness focus. Comparable mentoring methodology and target demographic, but differentiated by a tech-enabled platform for pair communication.
• Year Up: National workforce-development nonprofit pairing young adults with corporate mentors and six-month training programs. Comparable in pairing underserved youth with corporate volunteer mentors and producing strong employment outcomes; overlaps with BBBSChi's Big Futures program for ages 14-24.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BBBSChi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/BBBSChi
• Facebookfacebook.com/BBBSChi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-metropolitan-chicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/bbbschi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago