Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBSAZ) is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1954 that operates the local affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentoring network. The organization creates and supports professionally managed one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and children ages 6 through 18 ("Littles") across Maricopa County and Pinal County. In Fiscal Year 2024 it served 1,261 youth, supported by 89 employees and a volunteer base recruited through structured programs including "Be A Big," "Think Big," and the Young Professionals Council.

The core service model relies on ongoing professional case management of each match relationship rather than on proprietary technology; the underlying infrastructure consists of a standard website, online donation forms, and volunteer enrollment forms hosted on third-party form platforms. Supporting programs include the Arizona State Tax Credit donation mechanism (allowing redirection of up to $495 for individuals and $987 for joint filers in state tax liability) and a clothing donation program operated through partner Donate AZ.

BBBSAZ funds its operations entirely through donations and fundraising rather than fees for service. Revenue is diversified across individual donations, corporate sponsorships, recurring signature events (Big Draft, Big Night Out Gala, Tee Up for Kids, Fairways for Futures Golf Classic, Paul's Car Wash), the state tax credit program, and clothing donations. Strategic partners include Edward Jones (Fairways for Futures Presenting Sponsor), the NFL's Inspire Change initiative, Paul's Car Wash (an 18-year partnership), Topgolf Scottsdale, and Arizona Cardinals alumni. In November 2025, the organization announced Debbie Castillo Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Website

https://bbbsaz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona is a Phoenix-based nonprofit, founded in 1954, that creates professionally supported one-to-one mentoring matches between adult volunteers and youth ages 6-18 across Maricopa and Pinal Counties, serving 1,261 youth in FY2024 through donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentoring Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• Nonprofit charitable organization
• Volunteer match program
• Mentorship for youth
• Community youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix, Arizona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona creates and supports professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships between volunteer adult mentors (Bigs) and children ages 6 through 18 (Littles) in Maricopa County and Pinal County, Arizona. The organization recruits volunteers, enrolls youth, and maintains ongoing professional support for matches to foster self-confidence and positive youth outcomes. The program is provided free of charge to youth participants and is funded through donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona operates a single unified youth mentoring program that creates and supports one-to-one relationships between volunteer adult mentors (Bigs) and children ages 6-18 (Littles). The organization primarily offers its core mentoring program as a unified service, supplemented by additional giving mechanisms including the Arizona State Tax Credit program and clothing donations through partner Donate AZ. The organization also hosts several signature fundraising events including the Big Draft (mentor recruitment event), Big Night Out Gala, Tee Up for Kids, Fairways for Futures Golf Classic, and Paul's Car Wash. The Young Professionals Council provides youth support initiatives through a dedicated volunteer group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Think Big: A program under the Be A Big volunteer umbrella.
• Young Professionals Council

Products and services

• One-to-One Youth Mentoring Program Professionally supported mentoring relationships matching volunteer adult mentors (Bigs) with children ages 6-18 (Littles) in Maricopa County and Pinal County to build self-confidence and realize potential. Services are provided free of charge to youth participants.
• Be A Big (Volunteer Mentorship) Volunteer program inviting adults to become mentors (Bigs) through activities like playing games, visiting museums, or spending time with a child (Little). Applicants complete an online form via TfaForms.
• Think Big A structured mentorship pathway program under the Be A Big volunteer umbrella for youth development.
• Enroll A Child Program allowing parents or guardians to enroll children ages 6-18 in the mentoring program.
• Arizona State Tax Credit Donation Program Donation program allowing individuals to redirect Arizona state tax dollars via the AZ Tax Credit program, with up to $495 for individuals and up to $987 for couples filing jointly eligible for tax credit.
• Clothing Donation Program Donation program accepting used clothing and household items to generate funding through partner organization Donate AZ.
• Big Draft Event Annual recruitment event for new mentors, held in partnership with NFL's Inspire Change initiative, featuring alumni Arizona Cardinals players.
• Big Night Out Gala Annual gala event celebrating mentorship and lives transformed, featuring cocktail reception, dinner, program, and after party.
• Tee Up for Kids Fundraising event hosted at Topgolf in Scottsdale by the Young Professionals Council, bringing together matches, families, and corporate groups.
• Fairways for Futures Golf Classic Annual 18-hole four-player scramble golf tournament at Ocotillo Golf Club supporting life-changing mentoring relationships, with Edward Jones as Presenting Sponsor.
• Paul's Car Wash Fundraiser Annual car wash fundraising event benefiting BBBSAZ, now in its 18th year and one of the organization's longest-standing partnerships.
• Young Professionals Council Council of young professionals ages 18-40 who volunteer to support BBBSAZ initiatives, assist with event volunteer recruitment, and represent the organization at community events.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

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

• Young Professionals CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2025A group of dedicated young professionals ages 18-40 who volunteer their time to support BBBSAZ's initiatives, work closely with the Board of Directors, and serve as community ambassadors.
• Edward JonesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEdward Jones is the Presenting Sponsor of the Fairways for Futures Golf Classic, BBBSAZ's major annual fundraising event. This is a flagship sponsorship with extensive visibility including tournament signage, TV exposure during Paul's Car Wash, and recognition at the Big Night Out Gala.
• NFL Inspire ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 2026 Big Draft event is held in partnership with the NFL's Inspire Change initiative, focused on growing the team of mentors changing the trajectory of young people. Includes participation from alumni Arizona Cardinals players.
• Paul's Car WashflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPaul's Car Wash has been benefiting BBBSAZ for 18 years through annual fundraising events, making it one of the organization's longest-standing partnerships.
• Topgolf ScottsdaleminorOthersTopgolf in Scottsdale hosts the Tee Up for Kids event, providing the venue for this major fundraiser.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• MENTOR (mentoring.org): National umbrella advocating for youth mentoring and providing resources to mentoring programs. Operates one tier above BBBSAZ in the mentoring ecosystem and is a key funder and policy ally.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit with a broader, site-based programming model. Competes with BBBSAZ for the same corporate philanthropy and youth-development funding pools.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: The national umbrella organization under which BBBSAZ operates, providing brand standards, funding infrastructure, and program oversight to local affiliates. Directly comparable as the parent of the same one-to-one youth mentoring model.

Emerging players

• iMentor: National youth mentoring nonprofit focused on college-readiness mentoring partnerships with schools. Comparable as a professionally supported mentoring model, though its college-readiness focus is narrower than BBBSAZ's general youth development.

Regional players

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley: Direct Phoenix-area competitor for youth-services funding and corporate sponsorships; offers site-based youth development programs that compete for the same donor and volunteer pool as BBBSAZ.
• Valley of the Sun United Way: Phoenix-area United Way affiliate that funds youth-mentoring and family-support programs. Competes directly with BBBSAZ for community foundation grants and corporate workplace giving campaigns.
• Arizona Youth Partnership: Arizona-based nonprofit providing youth development, prevention, and family support services across the state. Direct comparable for state-level funding, county-level youth programs, and Maricopa County donor competition.
• United Way of Maricopa County: Regional fundraising intermediary that channels corporate philanthropy to vetted nonprofits including youth-serving organizations. Competes for the same donor-designated dollars in the Phoenix market.

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City: Another major-metro BBBS affiliate operating the same professionally supported mentoring program. Useful comparable for staffing ratios, fundraising event design, and youth-served benchmarks.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles: A fellow Big Brothers Big Sisters regional affiliate delivering the same one-to-one youth mentoring model in a major U.S. metro. Directly comparable in mission, funding model, and service offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtiktok.com/@bbbsaz
• Facebookfacebook.com/bbbsaz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bbbsaz
• Instagraminstagram.com/bbbsaz

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona