Fueling Futures: How Your Donation Builds Mentorship Matches
Giving That Changes Lives
Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters served 724 youth. The challenges they face are varied and ever-changing. Many struggle with mental health or education gaps, but they all benefit from an additional positive role model. Each Little is full of potential, and it's our privilege to support Bigs who help them fully achieve that potential.
The beating heart of BBBSKY is powerful mentor-mentee matches, which would be impossible to create without the support of dedicated donors. Donations to BBBSKY go directly to creating mentorship pairings and supporting them as their mentorship relationship blossoms.
What It Really Takes to Make a Match
While it doesn’t require a bunch of money to be a great mentor, BBBSKY financially invests in creating and supporting mentorship matches. To impact a child’s potential and set them up with a mentor for life, BBBSKY puts in time, effort, and indeed, money.
The average annual cost of creating a match and supporting both the mentor and mentee is about $2,800. Some of these costs are simple one-offs, such as a background check for new Bigs and training in child safety and effective mentorship. But after making a match, BBBSKY continues to support the Big and Little. This is when the real impact takes place.
BBBSKY provides monthly match support through a Match Support Specialist, who’s there for both throughout their relationship. Additionally, BBBSKY regularly hosts events for Bigs and Littles to spend time together and with other mentors and mentees. Last year, BBBSKY’s Program team spent 18,000 hours on enrollment, training, and match support.
Where Your Money Goes: Transparency and Trust
BBBSKY makes the most of every dollar. But how can you be sure?
You don’t have to take our word for it. Third-party organizations have done the digging, and BBBSKY is one of the most reputable nonprofits in Kentucky.
BBBSKY is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Candid rated BBBSKY’s transparency at the Platinum level for 2025, with a score of 100 for Accountability and Finance for 2024.
See for yourself: the IRS Charitable Organization Search is a great tool to verify tax-deductible nonprofit status. Additionally, the Impact Page includes BBBSKY’s 990 form, an independent auditor’s report, and an impact report.
The Lasting Impact of Your Gift: Supporting Youth Mentorship
A donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters Kentuckiana is the spark that starts long term mentorship. The minimum commitment BBBSKY requires from Bigs is one year, but many stick with their Littles for much longer. Quinton is a Big with BBBSKY who has mentored his Little for six years.
In Quinton's words, “I heard it was a year commitment, but if I’m involved with a kid, I can’t turn that down. Anything he wants to do. If you need me for anything, I’ll be there. He’s stuck with me as long as he wants me to be around.”
By getting matched with a Big, Littles gain another adult in their life they can completely count on. That kind of trust is powerful and makes a massive difference in a young person’s self-esteem.
Hear more from Quinton about his time as a Big here.
Why BBBSKY Is a Nonprofit Worth Supporting
The evidence for BBBSKY’s power to make a difference appears in the stats, too. Outcomes for BBBS Littles are overwhelmingly positive.
Littles in mentoring programs are 20% more likely to enroll in college and earn 15% more than their peers throughout their lifetime. Being a Little closes 2/3 of the economic gap. This proven success makes BBBSKY one of the best nonprofits to support in Kentuckiana.
If you’re looking for an effective way to give back to the community, BBBSKY is one of the best nonprofits to donate to. BBBSKY serves 10 counties across Kentucky and Southern Indiana, creating and supporting mentorship matches through inclusion and engagement.
BBBSKY’s positive outcomes would not be possible without the donors who support mentorship matches. Mentorship is truly a community effort–we all benefit from mentoring because when young people realize their full potential, they change our community for the better.
Flexible Giving Options That Fit You
At BBBSKY, there are various ways to create a high-quality impact. One-time gifts can fund a mentorship match, and recurring donations make it possible for BBBSKY to rely on community support.
Checking for employer matching often results in doubling your gift. Thousands of companies match their employees’ donations to nonprofits, and your company might be one of them.
Donations to BBBSKY are a win-win, as many forms of giving come with financial benefits. Planned giving and year-end giving in particular can lead to significant tax breaks through charitable donation write-offs.
To begin your legacy of support for youth mentorship in Kentuckiana and learn more about your options, visit our donations page.
Financial donations aren’t the only way to support our mission of igniting the power and promise of youth. BBBSKY hosts a variety of programs, so you can find a way to give that fits your availability and unique skill set.
School to Work matches high school students with mentors at local businesses who meet with them once a month, exposing them to workplace environments and the skills they’ll use in the future. Site-Based Mentorship hosts Bigs and Littles at schools and community organizations, providing the unique opportunity for high school students to volunteer as Bigs. At Group Mentoring sessions, volunteers meet with small groups of 3-5 youth in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools.
Volunteer Opportunities at BBBSKY are a fantastic way to see firsthand how you can positively impact young people.
Your Gift Builds a Brighter Future
Over 500 youth in Kentuckiana are waiting, right now, to be matched with a Big. Individual donors can be the catalyst for a mentoring relationship that transforms two lives: the Little and the Big. Your donation is the lifeblood that keeps BBBSKY creating matches and supporting mentorship pairs.
Be the reason a match is made. Donate to BBBSKY today and give a child a brighter future.