irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $429KCOMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING - THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION'S TRADITIONAL ONE-TO- ONE MENTORING PROGRAM WHERE THEY MATCH CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 7 AND 17 (OUR LITTLES) WITH ADULT ROLE MODELS, AGES 21 OR OLDER (OUR BIGS). COMMUNITY MATCHES SPEND TIME TOGETHER DURING AT LEAST 2 OUTINGS EACH MONTH (ABOUT 4-6 HOURS TOTAL), ENJOYING LOW- OR NO-COST ACTIVITIES. THESE LONG AND STRONG MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS PROVIDE MENTEES WITH A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO HELP THEM SET GOALS, DEVELOP RESILIENCE, BROADEN THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS TO TRIUMPH OVER THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
- #2 $48KSITE-BASED MENTORING - IN THIS PROGRAM, HELD AT SCHOOL LOCATIONS IN PORT CHESTER AND YONKERS, THE MATCHES SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER AFTER SCHOOL. THE LITTLES ENJOY STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR BIGS, INCLUDING HOMEWORK HELP, ART PROJECTS, GAMES, CAREER EXPLORATION, AND ONE-ON-ONE QUALITY TIME FACILITATED BY A BBBS PROGRAM MANAGER. THIS APPROACH ALLOWS THE MATCHES TO FOSTER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS IN A COMFORTABLE AND PROFESSIONAL SETTING.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Big Futures
College and career counseling program for high school seniors, supporting post-secondary planning, work experience, and transition to adulthood.
Community-Based Mentoring
Matches children ages 7–17 with adult volunteers for at least four to six hours per month (about two outings), engaging in low- or no-cost activities to build strong, enduring relationships.
Site-Based Mentoring
School-based program in Port Chester and Yonkers where matches meet after school for structured activities including homework help, art projects, games, and career exploration.
Summer Internship Program
Provides older youth with work experience opportunities during the summer to build professional skills and explore career paths.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Youth One-on-One Mentoring 2 activities
- One-to-one community-based mentoring programMatches children ages 7 to 17 in Westchester and Putnam counties with adult volunteers for at least four to six hours of monthly outings focused on low- or no-cost activities near the mentee's home; requires a minimum one-year commitment from mentors. The program has maintained active mentoring relationships since at least 2017 and continues to grow as of early 2026.
- Screening and training of volunteer mentorsConducts national background checks, interviews, and screening for mentors, followed by orientation and training to prepare them for one-to-one mentoring relationships.
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Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
- Annual holiday party for program participantsHosts an annual holiday party for Bigs, Littles, and their families, featuring gifts and entertainment; the 2024 event served over 250 children and families at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, NY.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Big Futures program for post-secondary and career developmentProvides educational and career counseling to high school seniors and structured internships for rising seniors and college-age youth; supported by fundraising efforts that raised nearly $20,000. The program aims to prepare mentees for college, vocational school, or employment.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Fundraising events for mentoring programsOrganizes fundraising events such as "Bowl for Kids' Sake" at Bowlero Lanes in White Plains to support youth mentoring initiatives.
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Recreational Game Programming 1 activity
- Monthly group events for youth on mentoring waitlistOrganizes monthly group activities such as bingo, bowling, and table tennis for children awaiting one-to-one mentoring matches.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- School-based after-school mentoring programProvides site-based mentoring at schools in Port Chester and Yonkers, offering structured activities including homework help, art projects, games, career exploration, and one-on-one time between mentors and mentees.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Summer Games and recreational eventsHosts annual summer events such as the Summer Games at Crawford Park, featuring pick-up softball, games, prizes, food, music, and a summer reading book table for Bigs, Littles, and families.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Virtual support for mentoring matchesProvides a virtual activities list to support engagement between mentors and mentees in online settings.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Donation program for clothing and household itemsAccepts donations of clothing, linens, footwear, and accessories through a free pickup service across Westchester and Putnam counties and issues tax donation receipts within 5–7 business days.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$757K
Contributions & grants$688K91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$40K5%
Other revenue$29K
expenses
Total expenses$1.14M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$681K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.08M
Cash$642K
Investments$0
Liabilities$343K
Net assets$733K
Liquid reserves6.8 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -30.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALERIE BROWN | CEO (END 08/ | 50 | $134K |
| ANN E ELLSWORTH | CEO (BEG 09/ | 50 | $55K |
board members · 23
- ALEXANDRA HAGENS — BOARD MEMBER
- ANN YASPAN — BOARD MEMBER
- BONNIE CIARAMELLA — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRIS O'DONNELL — BOARD MEMBER
- CLAIR HURST — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIELE ZALAZNICK — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIELLE KINDLER — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIELLE ZALAZNICK — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID RICHMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- DEBBIE LINDER — BOARD MEMBER
- DR KANIEL CASSADY — BOARD MEMBER
- EBONETTE BATES HUDSON — SECRETARY
- GARRETT GIZOWSKI — BOARD CHAIR
- GREG MIDDLETON — BOARD MEMBER
- GREGG CARTAGINE — TREASURER
- JANE GOLDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JOE MAYMI — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN RIOS — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSE HACES — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH COLE — BOARD MEMBER
- LAURA SCHERR SAGGESE — BOARD MEMBER
- MITZI LUMBRA — BOARD MEMBER
- ROSANA COLLINIATES — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 43
Who they work with
- 5th Dimension Virtual Reality Partner — Raffle sponsor for 2025 event
- 914 Cares Partner — Supplied hygiene items and linens for families at the 2023 Annual Holiday Party.
- Bacchanal Partner — Raffle sponsor for 2025 event
- BarkBox Partner — Raffle sponsor for 2025 event
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Network — Local chapter of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America network.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Network — Member of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters network.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam Network — Member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters network serving Westchester and Putnam counties.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester and Putnam Network — Local affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters network serving Westchester and Putnam counties.
- Blue Partner — Raffle sponsor for 2025 event
- Bonnie Ciaramella de Wied Partner — Board Chair providing leadership and governance
- Cadge Productions Partner — Produced a video for the 2022 Dream Big Fall Gala.
- Capelli Partner — Bronze & Champion Sponsor of the Dream Big Gala 2025
- Dorf Partner — 2025 BFKS sponsor
- Ebonette Bates Hudson Esq. Partner — Board Secretary providing administrative and legal governance support
- Floor Partner — 2025 BFKS sponsor
- Fred Galloway and the Soul Fusion Band Partner — Provided live music at the 2022 Dream Big Fall Gala.
- Fullerton Partner — 2025 BFKS sponsor
- Gregg Cartagine Partner — Board Treasurer responsible for financial oversight
- Helpsy Partner — Partner organization that handles clothing donation pickups for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam.
- Jimmy the Baker Partner — Supplied decadent take-home goodie bag treats for the 2022 Dream Big Fall Gala.
- LeafGuard Partner — 2025 BFKS sponsor
- Living Word Christian Church Partner — Supplied back-to-school backpacks for every child at the 2022 Summer Games.
- New York Giants Partner — Gold sponsor of the Dream Big Gala 2025
- Old Oaks Country Club Partner — Hosted the 2022 Dream Big Fall Gala at its Purchase clubhouse.
- Paraco Partner — 2025 BFKS sponsor
- Port Chester Public Schools Partner — Hosts site-based mentoring programs in school locations.
- Port Chester schools Partner — Hosts site-based mentoring program at school locations
- Regeneron Partner — Silver & Big Sponsor of the Dream Big Gala 2025
- Rye Country Day School Partner — Hosted the 2023 Annual Holiday Party for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County.
- Rye Daisy Troop Partner — Collected holiday presents for children at the 2023 Annual Holiday Party.
+ 13 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Interest-based and authentic relationship matchingmethodology: authentic_presence_modelBy matching mentors and youth based on shared interests and emphasizing authentic emotional presence over structured activities, the organization builds stronger, more sustainable mentoring relationships because common ground and genuine connection foster trust and engagement.
- Long-term, one-to-one mentoring relationshipsmethodology: one-to-one_mentoringBy establishing enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships between youth and adult mentors, the organization fosters resilience, improves educational outcomes, and reduces risks of violence and substance abuse because sustained, trusting relationships provide stability and positive role modeling for youth facing adversity.
- Structured mentor support and selection for relationship stabilitymethodology: mentor_selection_and_trainingBy selecting emotionally competent and stable mentors and providing them with training and ongoing support, the organization ensures safe, consistent mentoring relationships because well-prepared and carefully matched mentors are more likely to remain engaged and effective over time.