The Buddy Program

What The Buddy Program does

The Buddy Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 and headquartered in Aspen, Colorado, that delivers free youth mentoring services to children and adolescents ages 6-18 across the Roaring Fork Valley. The organization operates four core program lines: a Community-based Program pairing adult volunteers (Big Buddies) with youth (Little Buddies) for monthly one-on-one mentoring; a School-based Program delivering weekly mentoring during lunch and recess at partner schools; a Peer-to-Peer Program matching high school student mentors with elementary and middle school students; and a LEAD Program (Leadership through Exploration, Action, and Discovery) providing outdoor experiential mentoring for grades 6-12. It also runs support services including Empowerment Scholarships and a Counseling Fund, and facilitates referrals to partner organizations such as Colorado Outward Bound School and Student Diplomacy Corps. All programs are delivered at no cost to participants across approximately 16 schools in Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield counties, with offices in Aspen, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.

The organization is staffed by a team of roughly 17 professionals including an Executive Director, program directors, coordinators, and managers, supported by a Board chaired by Lenny "Boogie" Weinglass. Seven staff are fully bilingual in Spanish and six are bicultural, enabling DEI-focused outreach. Revenue is generated entirely through tax-deductible individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, National Council memberships (gifts of $5,000+), and a portfolio of fundraising events. The 27th Annual Bash for the Buddies gala raises over half of operating expenses, supported by presenting sponsors such as Chalet Alpina (2026); other events include the 40th Annual Boogie's Buddy Race, an Online Auction, a Buddy Classic Golf Tournament, Gingerbread House Workshops and Kits, and Noche de Loteria. The organization holds National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS) Gold Certification for 2024-2027 and Champion Partner recognition from Mentor Colorado, with a Tax ID of 74-2594693.

The underlying delivery model is human-relationship-based rather than technology-based; the core "technology" is the matching and supervision process managed by staff, supplemented by an 8,000+ email subscriber list and 4,000+ social media accounts for community engagement. Pricing is zero to end users, with a stated cost of approximately $3,000 to support one Buddy Pair for a full year, funded through the diversified revenue streams described above.

Name

The Buddy Program

Legal name

The Buddy Program

Website

https://buddyprogram.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Buddy Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 in Aspen, Colorado that delivers free youth mentoring programs (Community-based, School-based, Peer-to-Peer, and LEAD) to children ages 6-18 across the Roaring Fork Valley, funded through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentoring Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL), Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL) (EDAKAMAO), Peer Support, Buddy Programs & Cooperative Learning Facilitation (EDAKABAI)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• School-based mentoring
• Outdoor youth leadership
• Community mentoring programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Aspen

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting youth mentoring programs. Includes annual giving, recurring giving, and legacy/planned gifts.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships with year-round benefits and event-specific sponsorships for Bash for the Buddies, Boogie's Buddy Race, Online Auction, and Gingerbread Workshop events.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue from major events including Bash for the Buddies gala, Boogie's Buddy Race (40th anniversary 2026), Gingerbread House Workshops and kits, and Online Auctions.
4. National Council Memberships: High-level donor program with $5,000+ annual donations or $10,000 table purchases at Bash for the Buddies, providing exclusive benefits and event access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Buddy Program provides free youth mentoring services through four programs: Community-based one-on-one mentoring between adult volunteers and youth ages 6-18, School-based mentoring during school hours, Peer-to-Peer mentoring pairing high school students with younger students, and the LEAD Program offering outdoor experiential mentoring for grades 6-12. The organization also delivers Empowerment Scholarships, a Counseling Fund, case management, and referral partnerships. All services are provided at no cost to participants and funded through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Product overview

The Buddy Program is a nonprofit youth mentorship organization offering four core mentoring programs: Community-based Program (one-on-one adult-youth mentoring), School-based Program (weekly school-based mentoring), Peer-to-Peer Program (high school student mentors matched with younger students), and LEAD Program (outdoor group experiential mentoring for teens grades 6-12). All programs are offered free of charge to participants ages 6-18 across the Roaring Fork Valley from Aspen to Glenwood Springs and Rifle. The organization also provides support services including Empowerment Scholarships, a Counseling Fund, and partnership programs with external organizations. Additionally, the Buddy Program operates major fundraising events including the annual Bash for the Buddies gala, Boogie's Buddy Race, Online Auction, Buddy Classic Golf Tournament, and Gingerbread House Workshops. The organization is not a technology product company but rather a service-based nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community-based Program One-on-one mentoring between an adult volunteer (Big Buddy) and a youth (Little Buddy) ages 6-18 in the community. Buddy pairs meet 3-4 times per month for activities and participate in free Buddy Pair activities organized by staff.
• School-based Program One-on-one mentoring between an adult volunteer and a youth at local schools. Buddy pairs meet weekly during lunch and recess throughout the school year, engaging in games, arts and crafts, and building meaningful friendships.
• Peer-to-Peer Program One-on-one mentoring between high school student volunteers and elementary or middle school students. Pairs meet weekly on school grounds throughout the school year under Buddy Program staff supervision.
• LEAD Program (Leadership through Exploration, Action, and Discovery) Outdoor group experiential mentoring for teens in grades 6-12, developing social-emotional learning skills through outdoor opportunities. Includes High School Outdoor Leadership Classes with backcountry trips and Middle School Outdoor Leadership Clubs with monthly adventures.
• Empowerment Scholarships A twice-a-year opportunity for youth participants to apply for $100 of support with extracurricular activity costs.
• Counseling Fund Financial support for counseling and therapy sessions for youth and family members engaged with the Buddy Program.
• Partnership Program Referrals Referrals to external organizations including Student Diplomacy Corps, Colorado Outward Bound School, and Holiday Baskets coordinated by St. Peters Episcopal Church.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 600+ youth, families, and volunteers annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Alpine BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and grantor. Major supporter providing funding and volunteer support for Bash for the Buddies events and general operations.
• Aspen Valley HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 40th Annual Boogie's Buddy Race 2026. Major healthcare partner supporting community events.
• Pitkin CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and grantor. Local government partner supporting programs.
• Town of AspencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and grantor. Local government partner.
• Eagle CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and grantor. County government partner.
• Garfield CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and grantor. County government partner.
• Chalet AlpinamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Bash for the Buddies. Event title sponsor.
• Ironbridge Golf ClubmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue and sponsor for Buddy Classic Golf Tournament. Provides breathtaking venue for annual fundraising event.
• Woody Creek DistillersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Gingerbread House Workshops and adult Gingerbread House Party events.
• MarsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Gingerbread House Workshops and Kits. Major corporate supporter for holiday fundraising.
• Mentor ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level mentoring organization providing Champion Partner recognition, anti-racist working group participation, and DEI support.
• Manaus (Equity Action Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner for Equity Action Project engaging staff and Board in systemic change work.
• Full Circle Strategies (Houston, TX)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner for Equity Action Project focused on systemic change.
• Roaring Fork School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Courageous Conversations Curriculum training for staff to navigate difficult topics around race and ethnicity.
• Holland and HartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer group assembling gingerbread house kits. Staff volunteer time for fundraiser preparation.
• Chris Klug FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer group helping assemble 300+ gingerbread house kits for workshops.
• AspenXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer support for Bash for the Buddies event logistics and hospitality.
• Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Football ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer support for Boogie's Buddy Race heavy loading and setup.
• Aspen Public RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor and supporter.
• Aspen TimesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing advertising and thank you ad placements.
• Sopris SunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media sponsor and supporter.
• U.S. BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and grantor.
• Pitkin County Dry GoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor and supporter.
• Double Diamond MovingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor.
• Aspen ModernminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor.
• Town of BasaltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal government sponsor.
• Town of SnowmassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal government sponsor.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership: National umbrella body that awarded The Buddy Program its NQMS Gold Certification. Operates across the entire U.S. mentoring field as a standards-setter, convener, and advocate rather than a direct service provider.
• 4-H Youth Development (Colorado State University Extension): National youth development program with a strong Colorado presence, offering mentoring, leadership, and outdoor programming for school-age youth. Comparable on youth development outcomes and the use of older youth as peer mentors.

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado: The Colorado affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters network, providing one-to-one youth mentoring across the state. Most directly comparable peer: similar adult-to-youth matching model, similar age range served, and operates in overlapping Colorado geography.
• Mentor Colorado: Statewide mentoring organization that has recognized The Buddy Program as a Champion Partner. Comparable as a coordinating body for youth mentoring in Colorado and a peer in delivering standards, training, and quality frameworks.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Roaring Fork Valley: Direct geographic peer serving youth in the same Roaring Fork Valley communities. Provides youth development programming including mentoring, education, and outdoor experiences that overlap substantially with The Buddy Program's offerings.

Emerging players

• Colorado Outward Bound School: Referral partner for outdoor youth experiences. Comparable on the outdoor experiential education dimension that overlaps with The Buddy Program's LEAD Program for grades 6-12.
• CASA of the Ninth Judicial District (Colorado): Court Appointed Special Advocates serving abused and neglected children in the Roaring Fork Valley region. Comparable as a volunteer-driven youth advocacy organization serving the same Colorado geography and vulnerable youth population.

Others

• Aspen Community Foundation: Long-time institutional funder and partner of The Buddy Program. Comparable as a Roaring Fork Valley philanthropic organization; they are a grantmaker rather than a direct service peer, but share the same geographic focus and donor base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/buddyprogramrfv
• Instagraminstagram.com/THEBUDDYPROGRAM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-buddy-program

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 The Buddy Program