Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts (BBBSWM) is an independent 501c3 nonprofit youth mentoring organization formed in 2024 through the merger of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, both originally founded in 1967. The agency serves at-risk youth ages 7–14 across Franklin, Hampden, and Berkshire Counties of Massachusetts (plus the towns of Granby and South Hadley), delivering one-to-one mentoring through four program models: Community-Based Mentoring (8 hours/month in the community), Site-Based Mentoring (weekly ~30-minute sessions at schools), Workplace Mentoring (MassMutual Foundation–funded model), and a 2025 virtual TEEM pilot with MassMutual for rural Berkshire County high schoolers, plus an Empower Her leadership program at Stoneleigh-Burnham School. BBBSWM operates from offices in West Springfield and Greenfield with a staff of approximately 14 led by CEO David Beturne (25 years of service), and is one of ~250 affiliates of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America holding full member status.

The organization runs on a diversified nonprofit revenue model with no paid services to participants. Funding streams include individual donations, corporate sponsorships and foundation grants (Westfield Bank, MassMutual Foundation, M&T Bank, CBM Country Bank, bankESB, PeoplesBank, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Franklin First FCU, Wolf & Company, Sandri Energy, Stop & Shop), planned giving and securities donations, Massachusetts state Mentoring Matching Grants ($1.5–1.8M range), and special events (Bowl for Kids' Sake, Brews Bites & Bids, Point 5K, Holiday Party, Summer Picnic, 44-year Charity Invitational golf tournament). GTM is community-led: adult mentors ("Bigs") are recruited through community outreach, corporate partnerships, and events, while child enrollment ("Littles") occurs through parent/guardian applications and case manager interviews.

There is no proprietary technology platform disclosed; the organization's "technology stack" consists of standard nonprofit tools — a WordPress website (bbbswm.org), Qgiv donation processing, Facebook social presence, and email newsletters. Operations are people-intensive: volunteer screening, match creation, and ongoing support are performed by human case managers (some holding or pursuing clinical mental health counseling credentials). Notable recognitions include the 2024 BBBSA Impact Award (one of 28 of 270+ affiliates), a 4-star Charity Navigator transparency rating, and continuous program excellence recognition from BBBSA since 2014. The agency's primary operational constraint is a volunteer shortage, with over 100 children on the waiting list for mentors.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts

Website

https://bbbswm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BBBSWM is an independent 501c3 youth mentoring nonprofit serving at-risk youth ages 7–14 across Franklin, Hampden, and Berkshire Counties of Massachusetts through community-based, site-based, workplace, virtual, and leadership mentoring programs, funded by donations, grants, and 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), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAD

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAJALAL

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Support Services (Tutoring & Counseling)

SECONDARYEDAKAMAO

Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Mental Health Supports (School-Based)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• Mentorship program operations
• Nonprofit youth services
• Volunteer match programs
• Community youth support

Headquarters

HQ city

West Springfield

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: General donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to create mentoring relationships for at-risk youth in Western Massachusetts.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Foundation Grants: Partnerships with local businesses and foundations that fund specific programs, events, or general operations. Includes companies like Westfield Bank funding community-based matches in Hampden County.
3. Planned Giving: Deferred giving options including trusts, bequests, and endowments that provide future funding and potential tax advantages to donors.
4. Securities & Stock Donations: Donations of appreciated securities, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Donors receive charitable deductions for full fair-market value and avoid capital gains taxes.
5. Special Events: Fundraising events including Bowl for Kids' Sake, Brews Bites & Bids, Point 5K, Holiday Party, and Summer Picnic. Funds raised stay in Western Massachusetts to support local youth mentoring programs.
6. Government Grants: State funding through the Mentoring Matching Grants line-item. FY26 proposal includes $1.5M post-veto, down from $1.8M previous allocation. Massachusetts legislators advocating for restoration to $1.8M.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BBBSWM creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and youth aged 7-14 ("Littles") in Western Massachusetts. Services are delivered free of charge to participants through community-based, site-based (school), workplace, and virtual (TEEM) mentoring programs, with case management and match support provided throughout each relationship.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts operates as a youth mentoring organization offering multiple program types: Community-Based Mentoring (traditional program pairing adult mentors with children aged 7-14 for monthly community outings), Site-Based Mentoring (weekly meetings at schools and after-school programs), and Workplace Mentoring/Bigs in the Workplace (mentoring at partner employer sites). The organization also runs specialized programs including TEEM (Technology Enhanced E Mentoring) for rural Berkshire County youth and Empower Her, a leadership development program for young women at Stoneleigh Burnham School. Programs serve youth across Franklin County, Hampden County, Berkshire County, and the towns of Granby and South Hadley, with case management and match support provided throughout the relationship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community-Based Mentoring Program Traditional one-to-one mentoring program where adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) are paired with children aged 7-14 (Littles) and meet in the community for approximately 8 hours per month. Activities are planned by the match and include unlimited options.
• Site-Based Mentoring Program One-to-one mentoring program where adult mentors meet weekly with youth at specific sites including local schools, after-school programs, and other partner locations.
• Workplace Mentoring Program (Bigs in the Workplace) Program where youth and mentors meet at the mentor's workplace, learning from successful professionals. Adult volunteers dedicate time from their workdays to mentor youth in the community.
• TEEM (Technology Enhanced E-Mentoring) Virtual mentoring program piloted in partnership with BBBSA and MassMutual Foundation, serving high-school-aged youth in rural Berkshire County through technology-enhanced e-mentoring.
• Empower Her Leadership-focused mentoring program that matches students from Stoneleigh-Burnham School with local middle school youth, emphasizing leadership skill development alongside mentoring.
• Westfield River Elementary School Site-Based Program Site-based mentoring program at Westfield River Elementary School matching Bigs with third and fourth graders who meet weekly for approximately 30 minutes, made possible with M&T Bank support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15% earnings boost between ages 20-25 for mentored youth
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization governing approximately 250 affiliates nationwide. BBBSWM is a full member meeting all required standards and procedures. The partnership provides access to national research, best practices, program standards, and the TEEM virtual mentoring program developed with BBBSA and MassMutual Foundation.
• MassMutual FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with BBBSWM and BBBSA to pilot the TEEM (Technology Enhanced E-Mentoring) program serving high-school-aged youth in Berkshire County. MassMutual employees serve as 'Bigs' matched with Littles from Mt. Everett Regional School. Foundation provides funding for this innovative rural youth solution.
• Mass Mentoring PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization advocating for mentoring programs and providing financial support through the mentoring line-item funding. Provides tools, research, training, and best practices to help increase capacity and quality of mentoring programs. Organizes Youth Mentoring Day at the Massachusetts State House.
• Franklin First Federal Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports BBBSWM as sponsor of special events, individual employee donations, and investor in the Empower Her program matching Stoneleigh Burnham students with middle-school youth. Key partner in Franklin County region.
• Stop & ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity bag program supporter for several years. BBBSWM name appears on campaigns across the region with Stop & Shop locations featuring the organization's branding.
• Westfield BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual funder of community-based matches in Hampden County. Since 1853, Westfield Bank has supported hundreds of local non-profit organizations with focus on community wellbeing.
• Sandri EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of the 44th annual BBBS Charity Invitational golf tournament at Crumpin-Fox Club. Has supported BBBSWM for 44 consecutive years demonstrating long-term commitment to youth mentoring mission.
• Greenfield Cooperative BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner and sponsor appearing in the Our Partners section. Multiple staff members serve on BBBSWM Board (Mary Rawls as Treasurer, Jane Wolfe as Board Secretary, Michael Buckmaster as Board Member).
• PeoplesBankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor appearing in the Our Partners section. Supports BBBSWM events and programs in the Western Massachusetts community.
• bankESBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and partner. Board Vice-President Michael Oleksak serves as Senior VP, Commercial Lending Team Lead at bankESB.
• CBM Country BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Bowl for Kids' Sake event. Community banking partner supporting BBBSWM programs.
• Wolf & CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner appearing in the Our Partners section. Staff member Dan Morrill serves on Board. Sponsor of Bowl for Kids' Sake.
• Springfield Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey educational partner hosting site-based mentoring programs where volunteer mentors meet with youth at school locations.
• Greenfield Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in Franklin County hosting site-based mentoring programs for local youth.
• Stoneleigh-Burnham SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Empower Her program where high school students are matched with local middle school youth for leadership development and mentoring. Unique model potentially replicable nationwide.
• M&T BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunder of site-based mentoring program at Westfield River Elementary School matching Bigs with third and fourth graders.
• Westfield StarfiresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal baseball team that donates to BBBSWM Brews Bites & Bids auction and runs special game nights with raffle proceeds benefiting the organization.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR): National organization that supports mentoring programs nationwide and convenes the mentoring field. Provides the national infrastructure, research, and advocacy that frames BBBSWM's local work.
• 4-H (National 4-H Council): National youth-development organization providing mentoring, leadership, and life-skills programs in partnership with Cooperative Extension. Comparable mission of positive youth development and similar reliance on adult volunteer mentors in regional chapters.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit providing mentoring-adjacent programming (after-school, college/career readiness, leadership development) to at-risk youth. Directly comparable mission and target demographic, but with a broader program portfolio and facility-based model.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: The national umbrella organization governing approximately 250 affiliates including BBBSWM. Operates across the entire U.S. and provides the standards, brand, and research backbone that BBBSWM executes against locally.

Direct peers

• Girls Inc. National nonprofit empowering girls through mentorship, leadership, and academic enrichment. Comparable to BBBSWM's Empower Her program and broader youth mentoring mission, with a similar donor-dependent funding model.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts: The sister BBBSA affiliate serving the Greater Boston / Eastern Massachusetts region. Directly comparable as a regional BBBS affiliate using the same mentoring model, fundraising structure, and program portfolio.
• Mass Mentoring Partnership: Statewide mentoring advocacy and support organization actively partnering with BBBSWM. Directly comparable mission — increasing quality and quantity of youth mentoring — and is a key policy and capacity-building partner for BBBSWM.

Regional players

• YMCA of Greater Springfield: Local YMCA serving Hampden County with youth development, mentoring-adjacent, and after-school programming. Comparable in mission, geographic footprint, and target demographic to BBBSWM's community-based and school-based programs.
• Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts: Regional JA affiliate delivering youth education, mentoring, and workforce-readiness programs in Western Massachusetts. Comparable mission around long-term economic mobility for youth, similar geographic footprint, and shared school-based delivery model.
• Boys & Girls Club of Springfield: Local Boys & Girls Club affiliate operating in Hampden County, the same primary market as BBBSWM. Directly comparable target demographic (at-risk youth in Springfield) and shares significant overlap with BBBSWM's community-based and site-based programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bbbswm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-western-mass

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

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 Western Massachusetts