Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo

What Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo does

The organization employs approximately 9 staff and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, community fundraising events (Annual SMS Equipment Wine Auction, Bowl For Kids' Sake, Rubber Duck Race, Curl for Kids, Yogathon, Golf Charity Cup), and government grants from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Government of Alberta, and national foundations (CIBC, ATB Community Foundation, Jumpstart). All programs are provided free of charge to participants, with the organization issuing tax-deductible receipts for donations of $20 or more. Since inception the organization has matched over 6,000 young people with mentors, and reports outcome metrics including 91% of mentored youth establishing positive relationships, 96% reporting a sense of belonging, 94% experiencing increased self-identity, and a stated social return of $20 per dollar invested. Distribution is delivered through community-based meetings, school partnerships (Father R. Perin School, St. Martha's, Walter and Gladys Hill Public School), and corporate workplace engagements, with no proprietary technology platform — its digital footprint is a WordPress website for program information, volunteer registration, and online donations.

Name

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo

Legal name

Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo

Website

https://woodbuffalo.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo is a registered Canadian nonprofit charity operating since 1979 in Fort McMurray, Alberta, delivering free evidence-based mentoring programs to youth ages 6-18 across the Wood Buffalo region through nine specialized group and one-on-one mentoring initiatives.

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 primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring programs
• Community-based mentorship
• Nonprofit youth services
• Youth development programs
• Charity fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort McMurray

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies entirely on donations from individuals, corporations, and government grants to fund free mentoring programs. Major fundraising events include the Annual SMS Equipment Wine Auction, Bowl For Kids' Sake, Rubber Duck Race, Curl for Kids, Yogathon, and various community events. All programs are provided free of charge to youth participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo delivers free, evidence-based youth mentoring programs that match adult volunteer mentors ("Bigs") with young people ages 6-18 ("Littles") in the Wood Buffalo region. The core service model centers on one-on-one community-based mentoring, supported by a portfolio of nine specialized group programs covering Indigenous culture, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, career readiness, gender-specific wellness, and teen well-being. All programs are provided at no cost to youth and their families.

Product overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo operates as a portfolio of free, evidence-based youth mentoring programs serving children and youth ages 6-18 in the Wood Buffalo region (Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, Anzac, Conklin, and Janvier). The organization offers a single unified service model centered on mentoring relationships, with One-on-One Mentoring as the flagship community-based program. Supporting this core offering are nine specialized group mentoring programs: Crafty Kids (creativity and communication), Corporate Mentoring (career readiness), Full Circle Mentoring (Indigenous culture-based), Game On! (healthy lifestyles for boys/non-binary youth), Go Girls! (self-esteem for girls), Ignite! (mixed-gender skill development), PRISM (2SLGBTQIA+ youth mentorship), and Teen Wellness (adolescent well-being). The 20 Bigs in 20 Weeks campaign operates as a time-bound corporate recruitment initiative to address waitlists. All programs share the common goal of igniting youth potential through positive adult relationships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-on-One Mentoring (Community-Based Bigs & Littles) Community-based one-on-one mentoring program connecting young people ages 6-17 with caring adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) for friendship, support, and shared experiences. Matches meet 3-4 times monthly for at least one year, with staff support throughout.
• 20 Bigs in 20 Weeks Corporate challenge campaign engaging businesses to recruit 20 volunteer mentors within a 20-week period to address a waitlist of over 40 young people seeking mentors.
• Crafty Kids Group mentoring program combining creativity, crafts, movement games, and guided discussions to build confidence, communication, leadership, and healthy relationships in children.
• Corporate Mentoring Career exploration and employment-readiness program for students in grades 7-9, launched in 2017 in partnership with ConocoPhillips, combining classroom learning with industry site visits at Father R. Perin School in Janvier.
• Full Circle Mentoring Culture-based mentoring program developed in 2009 connecting children and youth with Indigenous traditions through storytelling, activities, crafts, and group discussions. Fosters Indigenous pride and reconciliation in Wood Buffalo.
• Game On! 7-10 week group mentoring program for self-identifying boys and non-binary youth ages 10-13, promoting healthy lifestyles, physical activity, mental health awareness, and life skills through games and discussions.
• Go Girls! Group mentoring program focused on building positive self-esteem and healthy minds in young girls through discussions on healthy living, active lifestyle, mental health, leadership skills, and friendship building.
• Ignite! Dynamic group mentoring program helping youth build healthy relationships, boost self-esteem, and develop skills in leadership, physical activity, communication, and mental health. Open to all genders.
• PRISM Volunteer-based mentoring program in partnership with WB Pride for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth (ages 6-18) with adult mentors who also identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ for one-on-one and group mentoring relationships.
• Teen Mentoring (Teen Wellness) Free program supporting the physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being of adolescents through resources, guidance, and activities. Open to all genders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of mentored youth establish and maintain positive relationships
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

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

• The Alley YMMcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2026Event Partner and Venue Sponsor for Bowl For Kids' Sake fundraiser. Provided venue for the annual bowling event raising over $30,000.
• Keyano CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with SMG Esports Arena at Keyano College for Big on STEM event, providing STEM-focused experiences for youth ages 13-15.
• CenovusminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partner for Big on STEM initiative powering STEM experiences for youth in partnership with Keyano College SMG Esports Arena.
• SuncorcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2025Stage Sponsor for the Wine Auction since inception, providing ongoing support for the flagship annual fundraiser.
• SMS EquipmentflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 September 2025Presenting sponsor of the Annual SMS Equipment Wine Auction for 15 consecutive years. This is the organization's flagship fundraising event raising $134,000-$135,000+ annually. SMS Equipment's General Manager Larry Gouthro has been a consistent champion, stating commitment to empowering children and youth in the region.
• Fort McMurray 468 First Nation Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2025Venue Sponsor for the 2025 Wine Auction at SMS Equipment Place. Partnership supports reconciliation and Indigenous youth programming.
• Canadian Natural Limited (CNRL)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2025Platinum Sponsor for Bowl For Kids' Sake 2025, supporting the fundraiser that raised $43,000 for youth mentoring.
• Sunbelt Rentals and LedcorcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2022Hosted the 2nd Annual Golf Charity Cup raising $89,256.44 for BBBSWB. Partnership funds support service delivery programs for youth.
• ConocoPhillipsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Corporate Mentoring program partner since 2017. Introduces career pathways and employment-readiness skills to students grades 7-9 at Father R. Perin School in Janvier. Employees serve as mentors and host workplace site visits for students.
• Fort McMurray Boys and Girls ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Partnership for Go-Girls Summer Camp, combining healthy lifestyle programming with mentorship activities.
• WB PridecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for PRISM program providing mentoring for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth with mentors who also identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. Created to address barriers faced by this demographic and provide safe adult mentors.
• Manitoulin TransportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCrystal/VIP Room Sponsor for Wine Auction events, supporting the flagship annual fundraiser.
• Leavitt MachineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive Auction Sponsor supporting the Wine Auction fundraising event.
• CumminsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCocktail Bar Sponsor and Brut Sponsor for Wine Auction events.
• Northstar Ford LincolnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWelcome Drink Sponsor and Brut Sponsor for Wine Auction.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: National umbrella organization that charters BBBS affiliates including Wood Buffalo; operates the same evidence-based mentoring model, shares trademarked programs, and is the direct network parent of the subject organization.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National youth development nonprofit offering mentoring-adjacent programming (after-school, leadership, life skills) for Canadian youth; comparable in target population, donation-funded model, and youth development outcomes.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area: Sibling BBBS affiliate in Alberta operating the same one-on-one and group mentoring programs in a different Alberta city; highly comparable in mission, model, sponsorship mix, and regulatory environment.
• Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club: Local direct peer and existing program partner (Go-Girls Summer Camp); serves the same Wood Buffalo youth with after-school, recreation, and youth development programming under a comparable donation-funded nonprofit model.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Northern Alberta: Broader youth development and community services organization active in Fort McMurray and northern Alberta, offering mentoring-adjacent youth programs, child care, and community wellness services to overlapping populations.

Emerging players

• Pathways to Education Canada: Canadian nonprofit focused on youth educational attainment through mentoring, tutoring, and wraparound supports; comparable target population (at-risk youth ages 6-18) and outcome-driven nonprofit model.
• Frontier College: Canadian nonprofit providing volunteer-based literacy and learning support to children and youth, including Indigenous communities; comparable volunteer-driven, donation-funded youth mentoring and educational support model.
• Mentor Canada: National mentoring advocacy and capacity-building organization promoting quality mentoring for Canadian youth; operates as a peer/ecosystem participant to BBBS affiliates and shares evidence-based frameworks and outcome measurement approaches.

Others

• Kids Help Phone: National youth support service (eCounseling, phone/text support) for Canadian youth including 2SLGBTQIA+ populations; serves overlapping demographic and refers into mentoring programs like PRISM, but operates a distinct crisis/support service model.
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Canada): Youth development program for Canadian youth ages 14-24 offering community service, skill-building, and mentorship; complementary rather than directly competitive, but addresses overlapping youth self-identity and belonging outcomes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bbbswb

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Wood Buffalo