Category: Youth Development

THE BUDDY PROGRAM INC

Aspen, CO

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Physical Address:: Aspen, CO 81611
EIN:: 74-2594693
Web URL:: www.buddyprogram.org
Leadership:: Catherine Anne Provine, Chief Executive

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Financial Data	Annual Revenue and Expense data reported
Forms 990	2010, 2009, and 2008 Forms 990 filed with the IRS
Mission Objectives	Mission Statement is available
Impact Statement	Impact Statement is available

Legitimacy Information

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Forms 990 from IRS IRS Form 990 is an annual document used by approximately one-third of all public charities to report information about their finances and operations to the federal government. GuideStar uses data from Form 990 to populate its database with financial information about nonprofit organizations. Posting Form 990 images on the GuideStar Web site is an ongoing process.

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Fiscal Year Starting: Jan 1, 2009
Fiscal Year Ending: Dec 31, 2009

Revenue
Total Revenue	$1,240,613

Expenses
Total Expenses	$1,284,651

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Basic Organization Information

THE BUDDY PROGRAM INC

Physical Address:: Aspen, CO 81611
EIN:: 74-2594693
Web URL:: www.buddyprogram.org
NTEE Category:: O Youth Development; O30 Adult, Child Matching Programs; O Youth Development; O99 Other Youth Development N.E.C.; O Youth Development; O50 Youth Development Programs
Year Founded:: 1973
Ruling Year:: 1991
How This Organization Is Funded:: Special Event Income (Boogie's Gala and 4th of July Race) - $980,000; Donations - $161,500; Grants - $90,000

Mission Statement

The Buddy Program strengthens our community by guiding and inspiring youth through mentoring.

Expert Reviews

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Impact Statement

The Buddy Program aspires to make our community a better place to live, work and play by providing mentoring and support services for our youth. Our successful history has shown that mentoring relationships fill our Little Buddies with hope and joy and provide a safe and nurturing environment which sets them up for success later in life. Under the guidance of its nonprofit Board of Directors, The Buddy Program aspires to be a leading mentoring organization by providing quality professional services through a well educated, diverse and dedicated staff.

Personal Reviews

Key Financial SCAN Features

Financial Health Dashboard: Highlights key financial trends and ratios for a selected nonprofit organization over a period of up to five years.
Peer Comparison Dashboard: Compares the organization's financials with up to five peer nonprofits that you select.
Graphical Analysis: Provides multi-year graphs and an interpretive guide in a format ready to present to your clients.
Printable PDF Report: Provides a complete analysis of the organization for your records. The full report tells you what to look for and why it matters.
Advanced Search: Allows you to search by EIN (Employer Identification Number), organization name, city, state, revenue, expenses, and assets.

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Financial Data

Revenue and Expenses

Balance Sheet

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Key Financial SCAN Features

Financial Health Dashboard: Highlights key financial trends and ratios for a selected nonprofit organization over a period of up to five years.
Peer Comparison Dashboard: Compares the organization's financials with up to five peer nonprofits that you select.
Graphical Analysis: Provides multi-year graphs and an interpretive guide in a format ready to present to your clients.
Printable PDF Report: Provides a complete analysis of the organization for your records. The full report tells you what to look for and why it matters.
Advanced Search: Allows you to search by EIN (Employer Identification Number), organization name, city, state, revenue, expenses, and assets.

View Sample Report

More Information

Forms 990 Received from the IRS IRS Form 990 is an annual document used by approximately one-third of all public charities to report information about their finances and operations to the federal government. GuideStar uses data from Form 990 to populate its database with financial information about nonprofit organizations. Posting Form 990 images on the GuideStar Web site is an ongoing process.

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Financial Statements

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Annual Reports

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Organizational Statistics

Chief Executive

Catherine Anne Provine

Term:

Since Sept 2005

Chief Executive Profile:

Catherine Anne became the Executive Director of The Buddy Program in the fall of 2005. Before joining The Buddy Program, she worked in marketing, Games operations, and corporate sponsorship for the International Olympic Committee for nearly 10 years. She received a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia and has her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas. Catherine Anne is responsible for organizational leadership, management of the day-to-day operations of the organization, including financial management, personnel, program direction, setting and implementing strategic goals and overseeing marketing and development, and reporting to the Board of Directors. Catherine Anne is on the National Council of The Buddy Program, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, and Aspen Valley Ski Club and a member of Les Dames d’Aspen and the Donor’s Circle of the AspenArt Museum.

CEO/Executive Director Statement:

The support of others over 37 years has allowed The Buddy Program to connect thousands of Big and Little Buddies for supportive and compassionate mentoring experiences. Through regular, caring interaction with their mentors, Little Buddies continue to report higher self-esteem, greater interest in school, and better awareness of the world around them. Additionally, Big Buddies state a healthier perspective on their personal and professional priorities due to their involvement. We are providing more services this year than ever before – including counseling, activity scholarships, and connecting Little Buddies to critical social services – the only local non-profit to provide this range of services. Buddy Pairs’ mentoring experiences positively impact their lives and our community as a whole.

Board Chair

Board of Directors

Officers for Fiscal Year

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Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation

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Program: Community Based Mentoring

Budget:: $100,000
Category:: Youth Development
Population Served:: Children Only (5 - 14 years); Male Children (5 - 14 years); Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General

Program Description:

In The Buddy Program’s longest running mentoring program, the Community Program, Buddy Pairs meet three to four times a month for one-on-one time, partaking in activities in the community or engaging in a variety of free, inspiring and educational activities that are organized by Buddy Program staff, such as making art at Anderson Ranch, swimming at the Aspen Recreation Center, and countless other collaborations with nonprofits and businesses in the Valley. We stress to our Big Buddies the importance of consistency in building and maintaining a mentoring relationship

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Program: School Based Mentoring Program

Budget:: $100,000
Category:: Youth Development
Population Served:: Children Only (5 - 14 years); Male Children (5 - 14 years); Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General

Program Description:

In the School-based Program, adult mentors from the community mentor students in the Aspen and Basalt schools during the school day, for one hour per week, throughout the school year. Both school districts are very grateful and supportive of this program, as they report happier, more engaged, and better focused students. Typical activities include playing games, going to a local recreation center, eating lunch together, and lots of talking and laughing.

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Program: Peer-to-Peer Program

Budget:: $100,000
Category:: Youth Development
Population Served:: Children Only (5 - 14 years); Male Children (5 - 14 years); Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General

Program Description:

In the Peer-to-Peer Program, high school students from Basalt and Aspen are matched with elementary school students to form a mentoring relationship. This relationship benefits both parties immensely: the elementary school student has a caring, consistent mentor, and the high school students learn the importance of community stewardship. Similar to the School-based Program, Buddy Pairs meet on the school grounds, weekly, for one hour at a time throughout the school year. Pairs engage in board games, arts and crafts activities (all supplied by The Buddy Program), play outside, or just sit and talk together. The time they spend together is supervised by Buddy Program and school staff.

Program Long-Term Success:

Program Short-Term Success:

This popular program continues to see increasing numbers and participation every year. High school counselors, the superintendent of Aspen and Basalt schools, and others persistently praise The Buddy Program on the positive outcomes from this program.

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In a recent study of college freshman who had volunteered as Big Buddies in high school, 80% reported that their experience as a Big Buddy helped prepare them for college and 100% were partaking in some volunteer activity in college (40% reported volunteering in a mentoring program and 60% in some other type of service).

Program: Experiential Programming

Budget:: $60,000
Category:: Youth Development
Population Served:: Male Youth/Adolescents (14 - 19 years); Female Youth/Adolescents (14 - 19 years)

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Funding Needs

In 2008, The Buddy Program hired an outside consultant to audit our fundraising efforts. Her recommendation was that The Buddy Program depended too heavily on one annual fundraising event and the support of one major benefactor. Her recommendation was to hire a development director to diversify The Buddy Program funding base. The Buddy Program hired a Director of Marketing and Development who is presently implementing a 3-5 year fundraising plan that will allow The Buddy Program to depend more heavily on individual and foundation support while lessening dependency on our annual event and to engage in an endowment program in 3 years. As a result, The Buddy Program is in a time of transition where we are seeking annual unrestricted gifts from individuals before they purchase an event ticket and we are seeking increased foundation support for the next 3-5 years in order to expand our programs while depending less upon an annual event

Volunteer Needs

Big Buddies and volunteers are always needed. If you are interested in becoming a Big Buddy please fill out an online application at https://www.buddyprogram.org/sitepages/pid56.php. If you are interested in volunteering to support our programs please call 970 920 2130.

Request for In-Kind Contributions

News

Amazingly positive impact

Aspen Times

Letter to the Editor

February 06, 2009

Dear Editor:

As the school counselor for 460 students at Aspen Middle School, I have seen the tremendous positive impact that mentoring has on our students.

Started at AMS in 2003, The Buddy Program’s School-Based Mentoring Program was originally intended to address kids on the Community Program waitlist. It provided volunteers with a tighter schedule a different way to be involved, thus matching more students with adult mentors. Now entering the sixth year of Aspen Middle School’s collaboration with The Buddy Program, our school has 13 matches in the school-based program and 20 matches in our Peer-to-Peer Program, which pairs Aspen High School students with our middle school students.

Students who are matched with Buddies in the school programs come from all walks of life. Latino, Caucasian, Asian, and African American students and volunteers meet once a week over their lunch and recess periods to chat, play games, build remote control cars and radios, teach each other crafts, play with pets, or find the bottom of a locker that hasn’t been seen since the first week of school.

Whether the student has one, two, or sometimes four parents, I can personally attest to the fact that the attention they receive one-on-one from their Buddies is life-changing. Each week, the most amazing and dedicated volunteers I have ever worked with show up diligently, greeted by a gigantic bear hug or a high-five. The pairs usually try something that the student (or volunteer) hasn’t done before, like summiting the climbing wall at the Aspen Recreation Center or ice skating. Oftentimes, the pairs just grab lunch at the high school and catch up on the week’s events. The kids have told me how cool it is to have someone fun and older meet their friends and really take interest in their personal life.

I have personally seen the students involved in this program increase their sense of responsibility. If they are going to be gone for a field trip, students who have not remembered their homework once all year take time to plan ahead and come find me so that we can call their Buddy to reschedule their meeting for that week. Teachers here are constantly amazed at the positive influence these Big Buddies have on their students.

All of the numbers and statistics in the world can’t prove to anyone how important this program is to our students until you see these matches together. For the students involved in this program, having a Buddy often provides the only positive thing they can name about school, which may otherwise be a struggle for them, academically or socially.

I want to take time to send a special thanks to all to the Buddies who work with the students at Aspen Middle School. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of the amazingly positive impact that this program has on our children here at AMS.

Sincerely,

Molly Kridel,

Counselor, Aspen Middle School

On the Fly: Buddies go fly-fishing
Aspen Times

Heather Hicks and Chris Palasz

October 03, 2008

ASPEN — Sunday morning marked the third annual Buddy Program fly-fishing float trip down the Roaring Fork River. Eager Buddies, fishing rods, floating boats and hungry fish met blue skies, white cotton clouds, plenty of sunshine and beautifully colored leaves.

For the majority of the happy crew of kids and adults that gathered on this picturesque day, this would be their first time out on the water to fly-fish. According to some philosophers, fishing is more than just a sport — it’s a communing of sorts with the outdoors and with yourself, your inner core. Several comments from Big Buddies stood out from the day:

“My Little Buddy Sophia did not stop catching fish,” bragged Adelaide Waters. “She must have caught 10 fish along the way before take-out."

Sophia then caught another four fish as they were about to come ashore midway through the day for lunch. As she kept on hooking fish — mainly white and brown rainbow trout — her guide continued doing laps down the river.

“She’s a natural,” Ry, her fly-fishing guide, said of Sophia’s performance.

“I just watched her over and over again and supported her,” Adelaide added. “I was so proud.”

Another Big Buddy, Bruce Gordon, said the same about his Little Buddy, T.J.: “I’m so happy that T.J. got to try this out and that he’s learned so much more in a day than I have in my entire life about this sport. It was neat to witness, and I’m proud of him.”

Both Big Buddies and fly-fishing guides gave positive reinforcement to the kids throughout the day. It’s no surprise then that the Little Buddies tallied up the most fish caught at the day’s end.

However, at the take-out point, the smiles that decorated the faces of Big and Little Buddies alike proved that the day was equally enjoyed by all.

Buddy Program has positive impact!

October 01, 2011

Dear Editor:

A little more than two years ago I was paired up with my Little Buddy, Uriel, through the Buddy Program.

Getting involved with an organization such as the Buddy Program was something I had thought about for a long time. Like many people, I have had various mentors of sorts throughout my life to whom I turned to for guidance, support or just to talk to.

I am very grateful that these people were there for me when I needed them. In thinking about the people who have helped me along the way, I realized that I wanted to be in a supporting role for someone else, which is what compelled me to become a Big Buddy. As a Big Buddy, my goal is to see that Uriel has fun, develops selfconfidence and always knows he has someone to talk to. Our favorite activities are snowboarding (even though I'm a skier!), going to the ARC, bowling and going to the movies. These activities are usually followed by milkshakes and mac and cheese at Boogie's or ribs at the Hickory House.

It has been really rewarding to watch Uriel grow up and to get to know his family. While there have been many great memories created throughout our two years as Buddies, there is a moment that stands out in my mind that I will never forget. It occurred during a perfect, sunny day of riding at Highlands. I asked Uriel how he was feeling — whether he was too hot, too cold, hungry, etc. His only response was, “I feel free.” It floored me and made me smile ear to ear. Hearing an 11-year-old say something of that nature really struck a cord. It made me realize how a simple day of snowboarding, or any other activity for that matter, can impact someone else's life in a truly positive way.

Another memorable moment occurred during a great powder day at Snowmass. While taking a break from the powder harvest, he randomly told me that he wants to go to college in Alaska because they have great snow and huge mountains. It was music to my ears! While I don't know if he'll end up in Alaska six years from now, hearing him contemplate his future in such a positive light and at such a young age was really special.

Uriel has in turn taught me a great deal and constantly reminds me of what is truly important in life. I'm excited to be there for Uriel as he grows up and pursues his dreams. I like to think that one day he might want to become a Big Buddy when he's all grown up and thinks back on all the fun times we've had together as Buddies.

To learn more about how to become a Big Buddy and invest in a child's future, please call (970) 920-2130 or fill out an application online today!

Jeff Whisler

Aspen