BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

3324 RIVERS AVE, N CHARLESTON, SC 29405-7741

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

Luke Sears, 3324 Rivers Avenue Ste 101, North Charleston, SC 29405

Signed the 990

Luke Sears, Treasurer

Phone

(843) 401-3556

Website

www.bbbslowcountry.org

Return prepared by

Glaser and Company LLC

Mission

Working with parents, guardians, and volunteers, we create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Mission and Vision Continued Vision: We believe ALL youth can reach their full potential thereby contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger, healthier communities for all. Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Commitment: At Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL), diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral parts of our values and mission. We seek out, recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all stakeholders, including youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff. We ensure the opportunity for all voices and perspectives to be heard and honored. In the workplace, we foster an environment where lived experience is valued and where all people can be their best selves. We affirm that all people no matter their ability, age, cultural background, ethnic

Program accomplishments

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL) focuses on its Community-Based Mentoring Program. This programs is designed to be both PROTECTIVE and PREVENTATIVE. Study after study confirms that the presence of a caring, consistent adult can make a significant difference in the trajectory of a child's life. BBBSL takes this benefit to the next level as it provides children in need with trained mentors who are professionally supported and coached for the life of the relationship. (Continued on Schedule O)Community-Based Mentoring Program:In its long-standing, hallmark, evidence-based Community-Based Mentoring Program, BBBSL recruits and matches children with caring adult mentors in one-on-one mentoring relationships. Professional staff enroll, train, and provide case management for all volunteers, children, and their families. These relationships are created with a goal to provide children with the emotional and social support, attention, and guidance necessary to support strong scholastic achievement, healthy peer-to peer/family relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and strong self-concept. Among children served, ages range from seven (7) through high school graduation.Further, children served will often live in poverty; be from homes without two parents; be at elevated risk for involvement with the juvenile justice system; be youth of color, including African-American and Hispanic youth; be youth in a foster program; have an incarcerated parent; have a parent in the military; be from rural communities; or have a disability. Many of these youth will also have experienced adverse childhood experiences including, but not limited to physical and/or sexual abuse; physical and/or emotional neglect; domestic violence; substance abuse within the household; household mental illness; parental separation or divorce.EVEN facing such significant system obstacles, ALL the Littles BBBSL serves are chock full of potential, talent, and resilience and deserve the opportunity to chase down their BIGGEST dreams. We say "YES" to hopeful parents and guardians who see incredible potential in their child, and we commit to finding a safe and caring adult mentor/Big willing to stand in their mentee's/Little's corner and have their back.As such, BBBSL's model is designed to help youth gain protective factors that help prevent and build resiliency against additional childhood adversity and to help children imagine healthy, happy, and productive futures. To ensure effectiveness, BBBSL measures and tracks the social, emotional, and academic progress made by each Little using an evidence-based youth and child outcome surveys at regular intervals. Staff compares pre-and post-survey results to assess child improvement in key areas. Professional staff use outcome data 1) to help inform coaching provided to mentors and parents/guardians to support future improvement and 2) to improve overall case management support provided to parents and mentors. Outcomes surveys measure changes in parental trust, social acceptance and peer relations, scholastic improvement; educational expectations; exposure to risk behaviors and more. Over time, all such factors correlate with improved school attendance, classroom behavior, grades, and graduation; improved mental health and self-esteem; avoidance of substance abuse and crime.Also acknowledging that longer, stronger relationships result in the most positive outcomes for children, BBBSL conducts a strength of relationship assessment designed to evaluate the strength of mentor-child relationships with a goal of increasing match retention. Staff review all outcomes assessments and conduct continuous quality improvement in BBBSL's service delivery and to inform coaching provided to mentors and parents/guardians. Further, staff adapts child case plans to address persistent concerns or meet new emerging needs. Thanks to this rigor, BBBSL's average match community-based length after 12-months in the program is greater than 40 months.Parents/guardians wishing for their child to receive one-to-one mentoring refer their child into the BBBSL's program. Following referral, BBBSL interviews both the child and the parent/guardian to identify whether the child and family would benefit from and be able to support a child-adult mentoring relationship. Additionally, the interview seeks to understand each child's social/behavioral/academic goals/needs, each child's interests/preferences, and the parent's/guardian's preferences for the mentoring relationship. Should BBBSL deem itself able to secure a volunteer mentor for the child, it will enroll the child into the program. BBBSL does not charge families to participate in the program.Volunteers who are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister must also go through an assessment/enrollment process which includes a comprehensive interview, criminaland driving background checks; reference checks, orientation, as well as initial, and when necessary, ongoing training to include, but not be limited to, child safety, trauma, cultural humility/JEDI, etc. Child safety is at the heart of the program, so before being matched, volunteers are screened both to determine safety whether they will be appropriate/psychologically safe mentors. Further, the mentor's interview will seek to determine the mentor's preferences, interests, and unique experiences that could prove beneficial for the mentoring relationship. BBBSL requests that volunteers cover the costs of their background checks ($30). When matching a child with an adult mentor, staff carefully consider all factors (interests, experience, geography, etc.) to make the best match possible.Before a match is made, BBBSL proposes the child first to the mentor. If the child agrees, BBBSL then proposes the mentor to the family. While the parent/caregiver has the power to veto the mentor, the child has final say even if the parent/caregiver approves.Once a match is made, the adult mentors provide their Little Brother or Little Sister with individualized attention two to four times each month (four to eight hours total) for at least one year. During regular, unstructured outings, mentoring pairs have the freedom to choose the activities they will enjoy and from which the child will benefit most. With parent/guardian approval, these activities can take place wherever they decide in the local community as the mentoring pair builds a strong, lasting friendship. BBBSL provides suggestions about a range of low-cost or free activities to participate in and around the local area and invites matches to monthly agency-hosted activities. During time with their mentors, children expand their experiences beyond their families or neighborhoods, gain new skills, explore new interests, and talk with an adult they trust one-on-one. Further, BBBSL provides bi-monthly coaching videos to mentors, ongoing resources during coaching calls, and ongoing training. When families are in need to additional support, BBBSL provides referrals to other local providers.To ensure the mentoring relationship is progressing safely, that children are benefiting measurably from their mentoring relationship, that mentors are receiving the support they need to stay committed, and that there is consistent communication between everyone involved, BBBSL requires monthly (first 12 months) or quarterly (following 12 months) support phone calls for the life of the mentoring relationship (with the scheduled determined by match duration or level of support needed). Match support calls take place 1) between the staff and the mentor, 2) between the staff and the parent/guardian, and 3) between the staff and the child. Additionally, mentors and families are encouraged to reach out to staff anytime they feel they need additional support or referrals to other community partners. Further, each child has their own youth outcome development plan that is reviewed regularly and updated annually with all three parties so that the child is receiving they need to grow in their personally identified need/growth areas.
  Expenses $657,778

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

83-3554712

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2019

Accounting year ends

June

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Youth development (O31)

Assets (IRS master file)

$546,114

Income (IRS master file)

$541,962

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 83-3554712).

Questions about BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

What is the EIN of BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY?

The employer identification number (EIN) of BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY is 83-3554712.

Is BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2019.

Are donations to BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.

Who is the principal officer of BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY?

The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Luke Sears.

Who are the officers and directors of BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY?

The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 14 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $98,189 (Merridith Crowe, CEO (Former)).

How much revenue does BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY have?

On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $479,321, expenses of $945,095 and total assets of $546,114 at year end.

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