Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley

Our primary goal is to make and sustain one-to-one mentoring relationships between vulnerable children and trained and supported adult mentors.
We believe that providing this consistent resource to a child can develop the confidence and motivation to succeed both academically and socially.
Long term/consistent relationships to BBBS means the "match" meets an average of 4 to 10 hours a month for at least one calendar year. Research supports that an adult must be consistent in a child's live for at least six months before they can have a positive and lasting impact on a child's behavior and attitude. We expect to obtain 90% of our matches achieving the 6 month retention level and 80% obtaining the 1 year match length.
50% of our matches last at least 2.9 years, with 25% lasting 4 years or longer.
Once we achieve the consistency of the match relationship, we strive to improve the outcomes of the relationship. This is measured by the academic and social achievements of the child. The mentor emphasizes value based behavior and decision making and exposes the child to positive opportunities, experiences and resources in the community. As the match grows with the age of the child, our organization introduces more age appropriate opportunities/exposures and goals for the child.
In 2013, the organization launched a series of enhancements at the middle/high school level that uses the strength of the mentor relationship to introduce career, higher education and employment exposures and opportunities. The Career Navigator program allows matches to visit companies in the area to learn about careers, education, teamwork, communication and compensation. Our Job Readiness program positions the young adult for summer employment, including setting up a checking account, planning workdays, and excelling in a diverse workplace. We also offer college readiness programs including campus tours, financial aid, certificate program opportunities and apprenticeship programs. In 2017, BBBS launched a mentoring program that matches adults in the STEM field with young adults with strong aptitude in these areas. In 2020, the organization launched new DEI initiatives to bridge racial, economic, and other divides between our volunteers, families, children, educators and partners. In 2021, the organization launched new parent engagement initiatives to build the relationship between families, mentors and our organization. Our match retention rate remains nearly 90% annually, with our average match length over 3.5 years.

5-10 year vision
•Top 5-10% performing BBBS affiliate in the country
•Similar/balanced youth impact- elementary (40%), middle (30%), high school (30%)
•Enhanced support/structured programming for middle and high school matches
•Defined milestones/resources/incentives: ACT, Employment, workforce readiness, academic achievement, social performance
•Regional programming- consistent program offerings across a region, larger area
•Stronger/vested partners
•Balanced and consistent funding mix, long term funding component
•Strong connection with national office and best practice trends
•Partners self-generating/self-initiating support for BBBS
•Relationships (with more longer-term than current)
•Youth engagement (with more longer term than current)
•Engagement opportunities and trainings for matches
•Parent engagement at the middle and high school levels
•Mission message over funding message?
 
Key Strategic Summary from Board Sessions:
•Steady growth is vital to maintaining a balanced program
•Growth will happen at all program levels
•BBBSMV resource should be focused on strengthening school/community relationships that can achieve strategy.
•A balanced and diversified funding mix of both local and regional sources is important
•The organization needs to focus on transitions of existing matches/child from elementary programs.
Engage community resources in assisting us to develop a strong middle/high school mentoring model.
•Ensure that its organizational structure is able to maintain and sustain a K-12 strategy
•Engage our stakeholders in the K-12 strategy including: Bigs, parents, children, schools, community stakeholders, staff, and board.
•Devise a solid business plan to achieve a K-12 strateg.
 
BBBSMV K-12 strategic focus areas:
School Relations
1.Valued strategic partner
2.Engaged at multiple levels of school system- elected, admin, building, classroom, levels
3.Funding/volunteer/research tools to drive common goals
4.Intentional and focused:
5.Program Enhancement
6.Milestones
7.Collaborations- common partners
8.Research
9.BBBSA Model- long term study locally

Program Mix
Setting and achieving strategic balance of program mix and impact
1.40% Elementary
2.30% Middle
3.30% High School
4.Processing

Program Structure
1.Program Models (one-to-one/Group Mentoring),
2.Transitions
3.Milestones (Common Core),
4.Waiting List Support
5.Activities,
6.Enrollment,
7.Enhanced Match Support
8.Measurements
9.Staffing

Image & Awareness
1.Branding packagingSocial Media
3.Networking Events
4.Communications,
5.Recognition (board, Bigs, workplaces)
6.Highlighting match activities
7.Public Speaking Strategy
8.BBBS Ambassadors

Funding
1.Endowment,
2.Regional Resources,
3.Government Funding,
4.Cash Flow
5.Donor targeting
6.Networking events
7.Alumni tracking
8.Wish List
9.Events
10.Mentor Lane
11.Impact circles
12.Community Partners
13.Database management

BBBSMV has a full time CEO/President with over 20 years experience in non-profit management. The organization has staffing and a board structure to drive both financial and program outcomes. The structure includes 15 full time staff, 15 AmeriCorps members and a board of directors that include 21 community and educational leaders.

The organization incorporates a strategic planning process utilizing the SWAT process and updates its plan on an annual basis.

The organization emphasizes quality over quantity and maintaining a balanced funding mix of local sources.

BBBSMV has focused recently on adjusting is funding mix away from taxpayer and government funding sources to more local sources. As a result, the organization has seen a significant reduction of taxpayer sources within it's operating budget. Five years ago, the organization funding mix had 55% of its sources tied to a taxpayer source. In 2015, the organization expects to have less than 5% of its funding mix from taxpayer sources.
BBBSMV has been successful at adjusting both its expense and income structure to be more economically viable and stable long term. The organization has also recommitted itself to the long term success of the children within its trust. The organization has embraced a number of enhancements within its programming to drive matches involving middle and high school youth to help achieve graduation and economic self-sufficiency. This includes job readiness and employment programs involving the adult mentoring, college and trade school opportunities for youth, career exploration, and STEM initiatives.
The resources allocated to these areas have helped deepen the match relationship and drive the young adult to obtain specific skills and assets to be successful as adults.