Who we are
Since the 1950s, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has operated under the belief that inherent in each of us is incredible potential and that good mentorship is the key to unlocking that potential. As Washington’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and young people (“Littles”).
Our Mission
Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Our Vision
Our vision is that every kid graduates with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact lasts a lifetime.
Challenges Facing Puget Sound Youth
BY THE NUMBERS
Relationships sit at the center of our work, but data informs us every step of the way. Mentors, youth, and parents/guardians provide feedback at the beginning and end of each year that guides us in understanding our impact. With this information, we can continue to refine our approach and focus on strengthening the areas where our Bigs make the greatest impact.
Who We Serve
The Littles who enroll with us are incredible young individuals who are full of joy, wisdom, creativity, and resilience. They come from diverse backgrounds and communities from King, Pierce, and Kitsap County. Our Littles range in age from 6 to 18, with many continuing the mentoring relationship well into adulthood. A common thread that connects all our Littles is their drive to learn and grow as individuals, and our Bigs do their best to support them along the way. The Littles are our country’s future leaders, artists, scientists, sportspersons, and so much more.
- Age Range Of Littles
- Location
- Racial
- Living
Our History
Strong words and a powerful sentiment inspired the founding of what we now know as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound in 1957.
“No man stands so straight as when he stoops to help a boy.”
The organization began as Big Brothers and was focused on serving young men and boys without fathers in the home. In 1973, a group of social work students founded a parallel organization, Puget Sound Big Sisters, to support girls from single-parent and low-income homes. The two organizations merged in 1999, and over time our mission became fully embracing of youth anywhere on the gender spectrum.
Our understanding of that founding sentiment has grown and changed with time, but what has remained constant is the underlying principle that connecting with and supporting young people is the most powerful thing adults can do.
Our Strategy at a Glance
We wish to empower all our mentees to graduate and formulate a plan for their future by pairing them with mentors whose impact lasts a lifetime.
Our Agency’s North Star is to create 8,000 inspiring mentoring stories by 2028, each demonstrating the powerful impact experienced by youth and their mentors.
Expand Reach
Ensure kids in Puget Sound who need us the most are on track with a well-trained mentor and a plan for the future.
Increase Relevance
Our overall strategy of increasing our programs’ relevance helps improve youth’s well-being and decrease their problematic behaviors.
Grow Revenue
Generate investments that drive greater youth access and opportunity.
We lead with Access, foster Belonging, and create Opportunity.
Leadership Team
For Information
About Our Board of Directors
Careers
We are always looking for talented and dedicated people who believe in the power that role models have in shaping young lives. We are committed to building a diverse workforce with representation from every walk of life, and we believe that varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives greatly enhance our organization.
Please visit our online job portal to learn more about open positions and apply.
Documentation
Trust and transparency is one of our 5 core values, so we strive to make information about our work and finances publicly available on an annual basis.
You may view our most recent annual reports, financial audit reports, and IRS documents below, and we welcome any questions you may have.
Top Rated by Guidestar & Charity Navigator
On Charity Navigator, we have a score of 99%, which gives us a four-star rating. Charity Navigator arrives at its scores by paying attention to different parameters such as accountability and finance (74%), leadership and adaptability (10%), and culture and community (16%). When an organization gets a four-star rating, it indicates a high level of trust and transparency.
On GuideStar, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has a Silver seal that demonstrates our commitment to transparency. It indicates that we have submitted the required financial details, thereby enhancing our credibility. While the platform’s seals give you an indication of an organization’s level of transparency and profile completeness, you may also use it to compare charities and monitor their performance.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, who have been the stewards of this land and waters since time immemorial. We honor their legacy and ongoing sovereignty and are grateful for the opportunity to live and work on their traditional territories.