BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE UPSTATE INC

What BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE UPSTATE INC does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate (BBBS Upstate) is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit member agency of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, founded in 1973 and operating across the Upstate region of South Carolina. The organization recruits adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and matches them with children ages 7–14 facing adversity ("Littles") through two core programs: School-Based Mentoring, in which pairs meet weekly during the academic year at the child's school, and Community-Based Mentoring, in which pairs meet independently for approximately six hours per month. All programs are provided free of charge to participants, with 75 children currently waiting to be matched.

The organization's underlying technology stack is minimal: a Squarespace-hosted website with online enrollment and volunteer application web forms, an SMS/text messaging engagement layer, and third-party integrations for donation processing (Givebutter) and survey-based fundraising (HundredX). Multi-layered volunteer screening, including multi-state background checks and sex offender registry verification, is the principal operational backbone. Reported program outcomes include 98% high school on-time graduation, 85% academic improvement, and 92% self-confidence/resilience gains among Littles.

BBBS Upstate operates as a donation-funded nonprofit with no pricing model and no commercial revenue. Income streams include individual donations, corporate sponsorships and event partnerships, planned giving and estate gifts, securities donations, and third-party hosted fundraising events. It runs a year-round event calendar (Bowl for Kids' Sake, Feast for Kids' Sake, Carolina v Clemson Pep Rally, brewery and restaurant dining events) and maintains a network of 30+ corporate and community partners including United Way, Bon Secours, Prisma Health, EY, Pepsi, Publix Charities, and Clemson University. The organization is supported by a six-person staff led by CEO Charlene Cheeks and a board chaired by Raymond Brown of EY, with offices in Greenville and Spartanburg.

Name

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE UPSTATE INC

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, LLC

Website

https://bbbsupstate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate is a nonprofit member agency of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that runs one-to-one youth mentoring programs across Upstate South Carolina, matching screened adult volunteers with children ages 7–14 through school-based and community-based models.

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

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• Volunteer mentorship programs
• School-based mentoring
• Community-based mentoring
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenville

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals supporting youth mentoring programs. Every dollar stays in the Upstate community.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Business partnerships including event sponsorships, unused ticket donations for match activities, and employee volunteer programs. Corporate partners gain community visibility and employee engagement opportunities.
3. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Legacy gifts through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, insurance policies, and charitable gift annuities. Also includes IRA contributions for individuals 70½ years and older.
4. Securities and Stock Donations: Donations of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities, potentially providing tax advantages for donors while supporting programs.
5. Third-Party Fundraising Events: Independent events hosted by businesses, organizations, schools, or individuals to benefit BBBS of the Upstate, with donations passed through to the organization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate Inc is a nonprofit youth mentoring organization that matches adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") with children ages 7-14 ("Littles") facing adversity in the Upstate South Carolina region. The agency operates two core program models: School-Based Mentoring, in which matches meet on-site at elementary schools during the school day, and Community-Based Mentoring, in which matches meet independently in the community for activities and outings.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate operates a dual-program youth mentoring organization connecting adult volunteer mentors ('Bigs') with children ('Littles'). The organization offers two distinct mentoring programs: School-Based Mentoring (weekly meetings at school during the academic year) and Community-Based Mentoring (independent monthly activities). Both programs utilize the same one-to-one mentoring model with a 12-month relationship commitment, comprehensive screening, matching, and ongoing support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School-Based Mentoring
• Community-Based Mentoring

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of Littles graduate high school on time
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

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

• United Way PiedmontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the youth mentoring mission. Provides resources and community visibility for BBBS of the Upstate programs.
• EY (Ernest & Young)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm providing board leadership (Raymond Brown serves as Board Chair) and corporate support to BBBS of the Upstate.
• Bon SecourscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner supporting youth mentoring programs in the Upstate community through corporate partnership.
• Publix Super Markets CharitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail charity providing funding and support for youth development programs and mentoring initiatives.
• PepsimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting BBBS of the Upstate events and programs through beverage donations and sponsorship.
• Prisma HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner supporting youth mentoring programs in the Upstate region.
• WSPAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal television station (WSPA & WYCW-TV) with Morning Anchor Olivia Donnelly serving as Big Ambassador, providing media exposure and community visibility.
• Elliott DavismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm with James Lindsey serving as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors, providing leadership and expertise.
• Enterprise MobilitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobility company with Alexis Gist serving as Area Rental Manager on the Board, supporting programs and employee engagement.
• MillikenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial company with Lakessa Wright serving as Senior Sales Executive on the Board, supporting youth mentoring programs.
• RegenesisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization with Jeff Ballenger serving as VP of Strategy & Development on the Board.
• DAA Draexlmaier AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive company with Aaron Adams serving as Head of Environmental Health and Safety on the Board.
• Clemson UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with Lisa Jackson serving as Associate Director PEER & WISE, providing educational partnerships and student involvement.
• ScanSourceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company with Becca Fox serving as Community Engagement & Foundation Manager on the Board.
• Spartanburg CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner with Cord Sgaglio serving as Assistant Park Operations Manager on the Board.
• United Community BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution with Molly Claycomb serving as Deputy Chief Accounting Officer on the Board.
• Dorman High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner with Natalie Boyd serving as Mathematics Teacher on the Board.
• TD BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution with Grant Nicholson serving as Senior Relationship Manager on the Board.
• The Lost CajunmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner hosting annual Gumbo for Good campaign in October, donating $1 per bowl of gumbo to support BBBS mentoring programs at both Greenville locations.
• JunipermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFine dining restaurant hosting Feast for Kids' Sake Greenville event, donating proceeds to support youth mentoring programs.
• Dray Bar & GrillmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpartanburg restaurant hosting Feast for Kids' Sake Spartanburg event to raise funds for BBBS programs.
• UP on the RoofmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnderson restaurant hosting Feast for Kids' Sake Anderson event to support youth mentoring.
• Kendra ScottmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail jewelry store hosting Kendra Gives Back shopping events where a portion of sales is donated to BBBS.
• Rockers BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpartanburg brewery hosting Bingo Night fundraising events to support youth mentorship programs.
• Yee-Haw Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreenville brewery hosting Mix & Mingle volunteer recruitment events to connect with potential mentors.
• Fireforge Crafted BeerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreenville brewery hosting volunteer recruitment and community building Mix & Mingle events.
• The Melting PotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreenville fondue restaurant hosting month-long fundraising campaign with $3 donation per Cookie Butter Crunch fondue.
• Southern First BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bank partner supporting BBBS of the Upstate through corporate sponsorship.
• South Carolina Federal Credit UnionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit union partner supporting youth mentoring programs in the community.
• Founders Federal Credit UnionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit union partner providing financial support for BBBS programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mentoring USA: National nonprofit running school-based group mentoring programs for at-risk youth. Operates a similar one-to-many mentoring model under a comparable mission and is funded through donations and corporate sponsorships.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte: Sibling BBBS affiliate covering a similar mid-size regional geography with the same One-to-One mentoring model, dual community-based and school-based programs, and corporate/foundation fundraising model. Functions as a directly comparable peer agency for benchmarking.
• United Way of Greenville County: Core community partner of BBBS of the Upstate that also funds and convenes youth-serving nonprofits in the same region. Comparable as a multi-donor-funded nonprofit competing for corporate CSR allocations and individual donations in Greenville.
• Girls Inc. of the Upstate: Regional youth-serving nonprofit operating in the same Upstate South Carolina geography with a similar mix of individual donors, corporate sponsorships, and outcome-driven programming. Directly comparable in scale and donor-competition profile.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate: Regional nonprofit serving youth in the same Upstate South Carolina geography with a comparable mix of programs, donor base, and corporate partnerships. Operates site-based youth development rather than one-to-one mentoring, but competes for the same donor dollars and volunteer attention.

Broad incumbents

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Parent national organization and the oldest and largest youth mentoring network in the United States. BBBS of the Upstate is a member agency and brand licensee, making the national body the most direct comparable in terms of mission, model, and standards.
• National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR): National umbrella organization for the mentoring sector that advocates for and supports youth mentoring programs. Comparable as a large, mission-aligned national entity that influences funding, policy, and visibility for the entire mentoring ecosystem in which BBBS Upstate operates.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization with a similar mission of supporting at-risk youth. Provides after-school programming, mentoring, and college/career readiness. Competes for the same individual and corporate donor base across the country.
• YMCA of Greenville: Long-standing regional youth-development nonprofit in the same geography that delivers after-school programs, mentoring-adjacent services, and youth programming. Overlaps with BBBS Upstate on donor base, corporate partners, and youth mission.

Others

• Prisma Health Children's Hospital: Major regional healthcare partner of BBBS of the Upstate. Not a direct competitor but participates in the same community health/youth outcomes ecosystem and shares corporate sponsors and board leaders in the Upstate region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-the-upstate-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE UPSTATE INC