Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region does

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region is a registered Canadian non-profit charity (BN 106793540 RR0001) founded in 1976 and headquartered at 230 Bay St., Victoria, BC. Operating as part of the global Big Brothers Big Sisters network, the agency delivers four structured youth mentoring programs in the Victoria Capital Region, Comox Valley, and Salt Spring Island: Community Mentoring (one-on-one matches for ages 7-18), In-School Mentoring (school-based mentoring for elementary students), B You: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds (group mentoring for female-identifying and gender-diverse youth ages 9-15, including a Summer Edition camp), and PRISM (group mentoring for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 14-18, launched 2024). Program delivery is grounded in the network's Developmental Relationships Framework — Express Care, Challenge Growth, Provide Support, Share Power, and Expand Possibilities — supported by a multi-stage screening process (vulnerable sector checks, references, structured interviews) and ongoing training. Each mentoring match costs approximately $2,500.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model across individual and corporate donations (including the 75 Doors campaign at $2,500 per door), federal-provincial-municipal government grants, foundation funding (Victoria Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation), third-party events and lotteries (Split the Pot, Royal Victoria Marathon, Clive's Classic Lounge, BCause), and a social enterprise operating a clothing and household donation centre in partnership with Value Village. All youth programs are delivered free of charge; cost recovery and growth are funded through donations, grants, and recycling-derived revenue. The organization employs 13 staff and is led by an executive team overseeing program leads (Community Mentoring, In-School Mentoring, B You, PRISM, Volunteer Intake) and a Social Enterprise and Engagement Manager, with a Board of Directors providing governance.

The agency faces material near-term operating pressure: an explicit $250,000 funding gap must be closed by end of September 2026 due to unexpected funding reductions and rising costs, while a waitlist of 150+ children and wait times of up to 18 months indicate demand far in excess of current match capacity. The board, volunteers, and an expanding base of corporate sponsors underpin the capacity to absorb that gap, and the social enterprise adds a self-funded growth lever beyond traditional fundraising.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region

Website

https://victoria.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region is a registered Canadian non-profit charity founded in 1976 that delivers free youth mentoring programs — Community, In-School, B You, and PRISM — to children and youth ages 7-18 across the Victoria Capital Region, Comox Valley, and Salt Spring Island, funded through donations, government grants, corporate sponsorships, and a Value Village clothing donation social enterprise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentoring Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), 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 industries

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• Mentor volunteer programs
• Nonprofit community services
• Youth development programs
• Charitable youth support

Headquarters

HQ city

Victoria

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals and businesses. Corporate sponsorships through programs like the 75 Doors campaign ($2,500 per door sponsorship to match one child with one mentor).
2. Government Grants and Funding: Financial support from federal, provincial, and municipal governments including Province of British Columbia, City of Victoria, and local municipalities.
3. Clothing and Household Donations (Social Enterprise): Accepts donated clothing and household items which are sold through Value Village partnership. Revenue supports mentoring programs while diverting items from landfills.
4. Third-Party Events and Lotteries: Revenue from events like Split the Pot lottery, marathon fundraising, cocktail fundraisers at Clive's Classic Lounge, and community third-party fundraisers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region is a registered nonprofit charity that delivers one-on-one and group youth mentoring programs connecting volunteer mentors with children and youth ages 7-18 in the Victoria Capital Region, Comox Valley, and Salt Spring Island. Core programs include Community Mentoring, In-School Mentoring, B You (group mentoring for female-identifying and gender-diverse youth), and PRISM (2SLGBTQIA+ youth mentoring), all provided free of charge to participants and funded through donations, grants, and a clothing donation social enterprise.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region operates as a non-profit charitable organization offering youth mentoring programs across the Victoria Capital Region and Comox Valley. The core portfolio consists of four main mentoring programs: Community Mentoring (one-on-one community-based), In-School Mentoring (school-based elementary programs), B You (group mentoring for female-identifying and gender-diverse youth), and PRISM (2SLGBTQIA+ youth mentoring). The organization also operates a social enterprise through its Clothing & Household Donation Centre in partnership with Value Village, which funds mentoring programs while diverting waste from landfills. Additional offerings include the Harry deSwager Bursary for mentee post-secondary education and the 75 Doors Campaign for corporate sponsorships. All programs are enabled through volunteer mentors who undergo extensive screening, training, and matching processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Mentoring Program One-on-one mentoring program connecting young people ages 7-18 with volunteer mentors who spend time together weekly in the community sharing interests and hobbies through free or low-cost activities.
• In-School Mentoring Program School-based mentoring connecting elementary school students with teen or adult volunteer mentors who meet once per week at the child's school during school hours. Available by referral only in select schools throughout Victoria Capital Region, Comox Valley, and Salt Spring Island.
• B You: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Inclusive group mentoring program for female-identifying and gender-diverse youth ages 9-15. Groups meet weekly at school for 10-week sessions focusing on physical and mental wellbeing, self-compassion, and healthy relationships through activities, games, and discussions.
• B You: Summer Edition Free one-week half-day summer camp program for gender-diverse and female-identifying youth ages 9-14. Runs at City Centre Park in Westshore and Victoria locations, promoting active living, balanced eating, and self-compassion.
• PRISM: 2SLGBTQIA+ Mentoring Group mentoring program for youth ages 14-18 who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. Weekly meetings include discussions, crafts, games, and activities designed by youth input, providing a supportive community in the Victoria Capital Region.
• Harry deSwager Bursary Educational bursary for past or present mentees of BBBS Victoria pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training.
• Clothing & Household Donation Centre Social enterprise accepting used clothing, household items, toys, books, games, and electronics. Donations are upcycled in partnership with Value Village to raise funds for mentoring programs while diverting reusable goods from landfills.

Quantifiable outcome

• $23 return per $1 invested among economically disadvantaged youth (Boston Consulting Group study)

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Value VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community donation centre allowing evening and weekend clothing donations while supporting BBBS programs through upcycling revenue.
• Bell MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for 75 Doors campaign providing promotional support.
• Split the Pot BCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBC charity lottery supporting BBBS Victoria. Monthly draws with prizes and early bird draws.
• Clive's Classic LoungeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCocktail for a Cause program donating $7.50 per cocktail to BBBS Victoria.
• BCauseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery box delivery service where select BBBS Victoria as charity of choice and portion of purchase supports programs.
• Donate a Car CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation program facilitating car donations with proceeds supporting BBBS mentoring programs.
• Royal Victoria MarathonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity team participation allowing supporters to fundraise while running and donate race shirt cost to BBBS.
• Country GrocerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSave the Tape program accepting receipts at BBBS office for program support.
• Victoria Bottle DepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage container refund donations supporting BBBS Victoria year-round.
• Greater Victoria School District (SD61)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner hosting B You and In-School Mentoring programs in Greater Victoria schools.
• Saanich School District (SD63)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner hosting B You and In-School Mentoring programs in Saanich schools.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Kids Help Phone: National Canadian youth support service offering counseling, mentoring-adjacent support, and crisis intervention. Comparable in mission around youth wellbeing but differs in delivery model (remote/digital vs. in-person mentoring).
• PFLAG Canada: Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ support and advocacy organization. Directly comparable to BBBS Victoria's PRISM program segment and a potential partnership/peer in the same underserved youth niche.

Broad incumbents

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: U.S. counterpart operating the same evidence-based mentoring model at national scale. Closely comparable in mission, methodology, and outcome framework, though geographically separate.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: National umbrella organization that BBBS Victoria is affiliated with. Operates the same mentoring methodology across Canada, provides training and standards, and represents the brand at the federal level — directly comparable as the parent network and largest peer.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National youth development organization with a federated affiliate model similar to BBBS Canada. Comparable in mission, scale, and youth development methodology, though programmatic delivery differs.

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto: Another Canadian BBBS regional agency operating the same mentoring programs in an urban setting. Closely comparable in operating model, funding structure, and program portfolio.
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria: Local Victoria-area youth development nonprofit serving children and teens with after-school and recreational programming. Directly comparable mission, regional geography, and youth-segment focus.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area: Regional BBBS affiliate serving Calgary and surrounding area. Directly comparable in scope, programs, and funding mix, including corporate sponsorships and government grants.

Regional players

• YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island: Regional youth, family, and community services nonprofit serving Vancouver Island including Victoria. Comparable in delivering youth development programming and operating from similar funding sources (government, donations, social enterprise).

Others

• Volunteer Victoria: Regional volunteer infrastructure organization supporting volunteer recruitment across Greater Victoria. Comparable in ecosystem role around volunteer engagement, but not a direct competitor — it is an enabling/administrative peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bbbsvictoria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-victoria
• Instagraminstagram.com/bbbsvictoria

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

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 Victoria Capital Region