Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area (BBBSOLA) is a registered Canadian charity (BN 12982 0874 RR0001) operating youth mentoring programs in London, Ontario and surrounding Thames Valley region. Founded in 1971 as separate Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations and merged in 2009 into the current entity, BBBSOLA serves over 1,200 children and youth annually through a portfolio of programs: 1:1 Community-Based Mentoring for ages 7–18, 1:1 In-School Mentoring for grades 1–8, group programs (Go Girls! and Game On for grades 6–8), Pumped for Post-Secondary at Fanshawe College for grades 9–12, the Newcomer 1:1 Mentoring Project, and the Fred J. Watkins Scholarship Program. The organization's underlying technology is conventional — it relies on standard nonprofit SaaS for donations (SimplyK, CanadaHelps), a WordPress-based website, and social media channels, with no proprietary technology stack.

BBBSOLA's business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack rather than a commercial revenue model; services are provided free of charge to participants and families. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time, monthly 'Big Believers' recurring gifts, tribute, gift of securities, planned giving/bequests), government grants (City of London multi-year community grant of $40,000 annually for 2024–2027, Ontario Ministry of Education funding for school programs serving 900+ students), foundation grants (Ontario Trillium Foundation capital and seed grants, London Community Foundation, Miggsie Fund, Sifton Family Foundation, RBC Future Launch, Westminster College Foundation), and corporate sponsorships (Harrison Pensa as Big Bash presenting sponsor for six consecutive years, Rogers, Scotiabank, Libro Credit Union, Virgin Radio). Go-to-market is community-led: referrals originate from families, schools, and community organizations, with volunteer mentors (Bigs) recruited through community channels and major annual fundraising events including the Big Bash gala, Barbara Rankin Golf Classic, Bake for Kids' Sake, and Lawn Bowl for Kids Sake. The organization employs 23 staff and is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors led by Chair Cadence Baker, with Lisa McIntosh appointed Executive Director in July 2026.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area

Website

https://london.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area is a registered Canadian charity delivering 1:1 and group youth mentoring programs to over 1,200 children and youth annually in the London, Ontario and Thames Valley region, funded through donations, government grants, foundations, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentoring Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

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)

SECONDARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

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

Keywords

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

Headquarters

HQ city

London, Ontario

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time donations, monthly recurring donations (Big Believers program), tribute donations, and gift of securities. Monthly donor program called 'Big Believers' enables consistent funding stream.
2. Government Funding: City of London multi-year community grant ($40,000 annually for 2024-2027), Ontario Ministry of Education funding for school-based programs serving 900+ students in Thames Valley region.
3. Foundation Grants: Ontario Trillium Foundation capital and seed grants, London Community Foundation multiple funds, Miggsie Fund three-year commitment, Sifton Family Foundation two-year investment, RBC Future Launch multi-year contribution, Westminster College Foundation donation.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Presenting sponsors (Harrison Pensa for Big Bash), corporate partners including Rogers, Scotiabank, Libro Credit Union, and Virgin Radio providing support for specific programs.
5. Planned Giving: Endowment fund contributions and bequests. Studies cited indicate $23 return to community for every $1 invested in mentoring programs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

BBBSOLA recruits, screens, and matches adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) with children and youth (Littles) ages 6-18 facing adversity and delivers mentoring relationships through community-based 1:1, school-based 1:1, and group formats (Go Girls!, Game On, Pumped for Post-Secondary). Programs are provided at no cost to families and are funded through individual donations, government grants, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area is a nonprofit mentoring organization offering a portfolio of youth mentoring programs. The core programs include 1:1 Community-Based Mentoring and 1:1 In-School Mentoring, both matching children facing adversity with volunteer adult mentors. Group mentoring is delivered through Go Girls! and Game On programs for grades 6-8 youth, plus the Pumped for Post-Secondary program for high school students. The organization also operates the Fred J. Watkins Scholarship Program for post-secondary education support. Fundraising programs include Big Believers monthly donations, one-time donations, gift of securities via CanadaHelps, tribute donations, planned giving, and The Carol Brooks Fund. The organization served over 1,200 children and youth annually and operates as a single-service nonprofit rather than a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1:1 Community-Based Mentoring One-on-one mentoring program that matches children ages 7-18 facing adversity with adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) who meet 2-4 hours twice monthly in the community for at least one year. Open to families in London and Area, Ontario, at no cost.
• 1:1 In-School Mentoring One-on-one school-based mentoring program for children in grades 1-8, with Bigs and Littles meeting one hour weekly at the child's school during nutritional break. Coordinated with school boards in the Thames Valley region.
• Go Girls! Group Mentoring Group mentoring program for female-identifying youth in grades 6-8, running 14 weeks with weekly one-hour sessions covering physical activity, healthy eating, self-esteem, and communication skills.
• Game On Group Mentoring Group mentoring program for male-identifying youth in grades 6-8, running 14 weeks with weekly one-hour sessions covering physical activity, healthy eating, self-esteem, and communication skills.
• Pumped for Post-Secondary Group Mentoring Group mentoring program for grades 9-12 students, facilitated by Fanshawe College student mentors, supporting youth in exploring post-secondary education and career pathways through interactive workshops and on-campus experiences across 13 weekly sessions in fall and winter terms.
• Fred J. Watkins Scholarship Program Scholarship program that provides post-secondary education funding for children with limited means who have participated in BBBSOLA mentoring programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $23 returned to community for every $1 invested in mentoring
• +3 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

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

• The Factory LondonimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2018Indoor family fun centre partnership providing community-based 1:1 mentoring program participants free monthly access to attractions including Canada's highest ropes course, trampoline park, and arcade. Special coupon code enables no-cost monthly visits.
• Harrison PensacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of annual Big Bash for sixth consecutive year. Law firm committed to inclusion, influence, and leadership values aligned with mentoring relationships.
• Virgin RadioimportantGTM or Marketing PartnerAmplifying power of mentorship through on-air support, promotions, and community storytelling. Helps raise awareness and inspire more people to support local youth.
• Fanshawe CollegeimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Pumped for Post-Secondary program - group mentoring program facilitated by Fanshawe student mentors supporting youths exploring post-secondary education and career pathways through interactive workshops and campus experiences.
• Kiwanis Club of North LondonminorOthersPresenting the J. Douglas Earthy Community Service Award since 1999 to recognize volunteer contributions to the London community.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Frontier College: National Canadian nonprofit delivering volunteer-led literacy and learning mentoring programs to children and youth, often through school-based channels. Closely comparable volunteer mentor model and beneficiary population.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: National umbrella organization for the Big Brothers Big Sisters movement in Canada. Operates the same mentoring programs and brand (Start Something, Go Girls!, Game On) that BBBSOLA delivers locally, providing shared IP, training, and advocacy.
• Boys & Girls Club of London: London-based youth development nonprofit offering after-school programming, mentoring-like supports, and recreational activities to children and youth facing adversity. Directly comparable mission, geography, and beneficiary base.
• YMCA of Southwestern Ontario: Regional YMCA serving London and surrounding area with youth development, mentorship, leadership, and newcomer settlement programs. Comparable in delivering youth-facing services through a mix of school- and community-based channels in the same geography.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto: Sister agency operating under the same national brand with an overlapping program portfolio (1:1 community, in-school, group mentoring) but in a much larger urban market. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and funding model.

Others

• Pillar Nonprofit Network: London-based nonprofit support network that strengthens the local nonprofit sector through training, networking, and advocacy. Connected to BBBSOLA through the local ecosystem and EDI initiatives but does not deliver youth programming directly.
• United Way Elgin Middlesex: Long-standing funder and convener of BBBSOLA. Distributes workplace campaigns and donor funds across the same region, partially overlapping in funder relationships and beneficiary scope but operating as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
• Children's Aid Society of London and Middlesex: Local child welfare authority serving the same catchment with overlapping beneficiary populations (children and youth facing adversity, foster care involvement). Comparable only on target population; distinct statutory mandate limits direct program competition.

Emerging players

• Pathways to Education: Canadian nonprofit supporting youth from low-income communities to graduate high school and transition to post-secondary through mentoring, tutoring, and group supports. Comparable in target population and school-based delivery, with stronger post-secondary focus than BBBSOLA.

Broad incumbents

• Junior Achievement of Southwestern Ontario: Regional chapter of a national youth education nonprofit delivering in-school financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programs. Comparable in school-based delivery model and donor base, but focuses on curriculum rather than 1:1 mentoring relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BBBSOLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bbbsldn
• Instagraminstagram.com/bbbslondon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 London and Area