BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF DANE COUNTY INC

Programs

1. Community-based:the core, traditional program of bbbs involves an adult mentor "big" matched with a child "little". These community-based mentoring relationships involve one-on-one outings and activities, doing things the big and little enjoy together like: taking a walk in the park, going to a museum, listening to music, or hanging out and talking. Some bigs meet with their littles on the weekends. Others get together with their littles on weekday evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them. Each match is supervised and supported by an agency match support specialist. In 2025, we created 151 new mentoring relationships and served 541 kids.match support - the professional monitoring, support and continual engagement with the big, little, parent/guardian(s), and site partners while the match is active. Match support staff guide the match in achieving positive outcomes for the youth, and transition the match to closure and re-engagement when appropriate. 2025 resulted in 576 mentors to 543 kids. Our bigs spent 59,904 hours with their little, resulting in $2,084,060 invested in the community. Our average match length time is 39.1 months. We conducted…

   $479,535 spentof which $4,057 as grants
   46% of program spending

2. Enrollment:volunteer enrollment - potential volunteers complete an online application form, providing basic information and expressing their interest in becoming a mentor. Bbbs staff reviews the application and contacts the applicant to provide more information and answer any questions. Applicants attend a virtual or in-person interview with bbbs staff to discuss their motivations, interests, and suitability for mentoring. A thorough background check is conducted, including: criminal history check, fingerprint check (for federal grants), and driving record check. Volunteers attend pre-match training sessions to learn about the program, expectations, and best practices for mentoring. Bbbs staff carefully assesses the volunteer's interests, personality, and preferences to find a suitable match with a child. Once a potential match is identified, the volunteer's information is shared with the child's parent or guardian for approval. A meeting is arranged between the volunteer, the child, the child's parent/guardian, and a bbbs match support specialist. During this meeting, agency ground rules are discussed, and any remaining paperwork is completed.child enrollment - parents or…

   $422,919 spent
   40% of program spending

3. Site-based mentoring -school friends mentoring - adult mentors (bigs) visit their littles one time per week for 30-60 minutes during lunch/recess or after school. Matches play sports, read, and do arts & crafts, or just hang out and talk. Bbbs staff are on-site during the program to facilitate activities, connect with school personnel, and provide in-person support to bigs/littles. In 2025, we created 38 matches at 5 elementary and middle schools.the high school leadership program (hslp) this innovative program pairs high school mentors with elementary mentees in mentoring relationships that build confidence and increase connectedness to school, culture, and peers. The program uses a curriculum that gives younger and older students an opportunity to grow and learn from one another during their weekly mentoring sessions, with engaging activities centered on topics like developing a growth mindset, building empathy, learning stem skills, and practicing gratitude. High school mentors also receive coaching and mentorship from bbbs staff. In 2025, we served 22 matches at two elementary/high school partner sites, serving 44 elementary and high school students.

   $124,086 spent
   12% of program spending

4. Other - additional events, supplies, and training to support bbbs' one-to-one mentoring programs.

   $13,149 spentof which $8,200 as grants
   1% of program spending

5. Back-to-school - an annual event where backpacks and school supply kits are provided to mentees to get them ready for the upcoming school year.

   $9,549 spentof which $7,199 as grants
   1% of program spending

The 5 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $1,049,238.