Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware (BBBSDE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth mentoring organization founded in 1964 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, with an additional state-wide hub — the Youth Enrichment Center — opened in Dover in 2023 on a 1.72-acre site. The organization provides free, evidence-based one-to-one mentoring to at-risk youth ages 6–18, primarily children from single-parent families, by matching them with screened adult volunteer mentors ('Bigs'). BBBSDE operates within a geographic restriction that all activities remain within Delaware state boundaries, and it annually matches more than 1,400 youth with mentors while maintaining a waiting list of over 300 youth.

The organization's core product is a portfolio of structured mentoring programs — community-based, school-based, Beyond School Walls (workplace), Bigs in Blue (law enforcement), JEDI Outreach (LGBTQ+ youth), and Sports Buddies — all built on Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's 65 standardized program protocols. The Youth Enrichment Center adds facility-based enrichment (Learning Lab, Teaching Kitchen, College & Career Lab, Media Studio) for tutoring, STEM, and workforce development, and the organization publishes self-reported impact metrics including 94% improved self-confidence, 81% better emotional expression, and 77% improved academic performance among matched youth.

BBBSDE's revenue model is donation- and grant-based: it does not charge families and generates 100% of operating support from individual donations, corporate partnerships (including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Macy's, Walgreens), and foundation grants (Delaware Community Foundation, Panera Foundation, Red Wagon Foundation). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven — recruiting volunteers through the website, community events, faith-based partnerships, and corporate workplace programs — while youth are enrolled via referrals, family self-enrollment, and school partnerships. The organization is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and is governed by a local Board of Directors, with leadership including Executive Director Anya Lindsey-Jenkins.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware Inc.

Website

https://bbbsde.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1964 that provides free, evidence-based one-to-one mentoring to at-risk youth ages 6–18 across Delaware, matching more than 1,400 youth annually with adult volunteer mentors through community-, school-, and workplace-based programs funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Vital financial support from individuals allows BBBSDE to provide services to families without charging fees. Donations are solicited through the website, events, and direct outreach. 100% of donations stay in Delaware.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations provide financial support, workplace mentoring opportunities (Beyond School Walls), employee volunteer programs, and in-kind donations.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations such as the Panera Foundation, Red Wagon Foundation, and Delaware Community Foundation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BBBSDE delivers free, evidence-based one-to-one and group mentoring services that match adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") with at-risk youth ages 6-18 ("Littles"), primarily from single-parent families. Service delivery spans community-based programs (2-4 monthly meetings), school-based programs, workplace-based mentoring (Beyond School Walls), and specialized programs including Bigs in Blue, Sports Buddies, and the JEDI LGBTQ+ Outreach Initiative. Programs are supported by the new Youth Enrichment Center in Dover and the "It Takes LITTLE to Be BIG" podcast, with all services provided at no cost to Delaware families.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware operates as a nonprofit youth mentoring organization offering evidence-based one-to-one mentoring programs and structured group programming. The core offering is its Community-Based Program matching adult mentors with at-risk youth, supplemented by School-Based and Beyond School Walls programs. The organization has expanded to include the Youth Enrichment Center facility providing academic enrichment, career exploration, and STEM programming. Key programs include Bigs in Blue (law enforcement mentoring), Sports Buddies (athletic-focused mentoring), and the JEDI Outreach Initiative (LGBTQ+ youth support). The It Takes LITTLE to Be BIG Podcast extends reach beyond direct services. All programs serve youth ages 6-18 with dedicated Match Support Specialist oversight.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Enrichment Center: A facility at 3156 Forrest Avenue in Dover, Delaware providing open play areas, playground, Learning Lab, Teaching Kitchen, College & Career Lab, Media Studio, and Multi-purpose Activity Room for youth programming.
• It Takes Little to Be BIG Podcast
• JEDI Outreach Initiative

Products and services

• Community-Based Mentoring Program Evidence-based one-to-one mentoring program matching adult volunteers ("Bigs") with at-risk youth ages 6-18 ("Littles") from single-parent families. Mentors and mentees meet 2-4 times monthly after school or on weekends for activities including dinner, family time, home projects, or homework help. All services are provided free of charge to Delaware families.
• School-Based Mentoring Program Mentors meet with students once weekly for 45-60 minutes at the child's school to read together, help with schoolwork, or talk over lunch in the school cafeteria. Designed for at-risk youth ages 6-18 throughout Delaware schools.
• Beyond School Walls Workplace Mentoring Year-long workplace-based mentoring program matching students from local schools with employees from corporate partners (e.g., Howard High School with Bank of America and other partners). Students visit mentors' workplaces monthly to explore career opportunities and develop professional skills.
• Bigs in Blue Mentoring program connecting youth with police officers in Delaware communities to build strong, trusting relationships, help children develop into confident adults, and develop positive bonds between law enforcement and the families they serve.
• Sports Buddies Mentoring program that matches Bigs and Littles with shared interests in sports, fitness, or being active, forming and nurturing positive mentoring relationships through athletic activities.
• JEDI Outreach Initiative Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion program serving LGBTQ+ youth in Delaware who face unique at-risk challenges including school avoidance due to safety concerns, verbal harassment, and suicidal thoughts. Specialized mentoring promotes positive life and educational outcomes.
• Youth Enrichment Center 1.72-acre facility at 3156 Forrest Avenue in Dover, Delaware, serving as BBBSDE's main office and state-wide headquarters. Provides a Learning Lab for tutoring and homework help, a Teaching Kitchen for nutrition education, a College & Career Lab for standardized test preparation and internships, a Media Studio for podcasting and STEM activities, a Multi-purpose Activity Room, plus outdoor playground, picnic pavilions, and basketball court. Functions as the central hub for Big/Little meetings, tutoring, summer camps, and workforce development programming.
• It Takes LITTLE to Be BIG Podcast Original podcast series by BBBSDE exploring the profound impact of mentoring relationships on mentors and mentees in the Delaware community through heartfelt conversations and inspiring stories. The debut episode features Brycen and BJ of the Athlete Mentoring Program.
• Mentoring Activities Program Curated list of approved activities Bigs and Littles can do together, including indoor activities (games, puzzles, art), outdoor activities (sports, hiking), job-related activities (resume work, career exploration), food-related activities (cooking), life skills, and destination visits throughout Delaware.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of youth showed improved self-confidence
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• United Way of DelawarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting BBBSDE's mission to create mentoring relationships for Delaware youth. United Way focuses on improving education, health, and financial stability in communities.
• Wilmington Blue RockscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinor league baseball team serving as workplace partner for Beyond School Walls program. Hosted kickoff event at their game, treating youth to suite access and on-field meetings with players.
• University of DelawaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner supporting mentorship programs and providing resources for youth development and career exploration.
• Philadelphia FlyersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHL team partner supporting youth mentoring and sports-based programming.
• New Castle CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner supporting community programs and youth services throughout New Castle County.
• Howard High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Beyond School Walls program where students are matched with workplace mentors.
• Clemens Construction CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner with Kimura Anderson serving as Vice President on Board of Directors. Represents construction industry involvement in mentoring programs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware: Direct youth development nonprofit operating in the same Delaware geography with similar at-risk youth programming, after-school activities, and outcomes-focused mission.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City: Peer BBBS affiliate of comparable size and structure operating under the same BBBSA standards in a different metropolitan market. Directly comparable affiliate-level operating model, programs, and funding mix.
• YMCA of Delaware: Multi-branch youth-serving nonprofit in Delaware providing after-school programming, mentoring-adjacent youth development, and family services. Competes for the same youth, families, and donor base.
• Girls Inc. of Delaware: Delaware-based youth development nonprofit providing mentorship and programming for at-risk youth (girls specifically) with similar funding model and outcome measurement approach.

Others

• United Way of Delaware: Strategic partner of BBBSDE and a Delaware nonprofit intermediary that funds multiple youth-focused agencies. Comparable as a Delaware nonprofit ecosystem player but functions as a funder rather than direct service provider.
• Delaware Community Foundation: Major foundation partner of BBBSDE providing grant funding. Comparable as a Delaware-based philanthropic institution that supports youth and family programs across the state.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization operating club-based programming across the U.S. Comparable at the category level (youth development nonprofits) but with broader programmatic scope than BBBSDE's mentoring focus.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: The national parent organization of BBBSDE that sets program standards (the 65 program standards BBBSDE follows) and supports all U.S. affiliates. Comparable as the umbrella body governing the same youth mentoring model.
• National 4-H Council: National youth development organization offering mentoring-adjacent programming (positive youth development) to school-age youth. Operates in the same space but with a different delivery model (clubs vs. one-to-one).
• MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership): National nonprofit advocacy organization advancing the youth mentoring field broadly. Comparable as a sector-level organization, though focused on capacity-building rather than direct service like BBBSDE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware