Affiliations and Standards of Excellence

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley is an independent 501c3 affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation's oldest and largest youth mentoring organization.  For over 110 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has developed, implemented and perfected its unique, evidence-based professionally-supported one-to-one mentoring model to serve children across the country. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America provides our affiliate with:

  • National standards, policies, and procedures focused on child safety
  • Certification training program staff, and continuous improvement training tools for mentors and parents
  • Research and program development supported by the nation’s leading youth mentoring experts
  • Evaluation systems and technology including the state of the art Match Force system.  
  • Capacity building and resource management techniques
  • Nationwide best practices shared by over 300 affiliates across the country
  • Branding and collaborative support to drive capacity and resources.

 

Local Impact, National Reputation

       

In 2015, Big Brothers big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley was first recognized for its quality performance management and performance by receiving the Quality Standard Award.  This award focuses on the program implementation and performance side of the organization.  Receiving this award placed BBBSMV in the top 25% of affiliates within the Big Brothers Big Sisters network in the areas of recruitment, enrollment, match support, and match retention.  BBBSMV has received this award ever since!!  

 

 

GOLD STANDARD AGENCY

In 2017 and 2018 Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley was recognized as a "Gold Standard" Agency by the Nationwide Leadership Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  Winning agencies are recognized for outstanding performance, including high retention rates, high quality case management, and financial stability.  This award identifies the top 5% of over 300 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies nationwide.

 

 

Guidestar is an information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit companies.  Its database provides information on 2.5 million organizations.

GuideStar was one of the first central sources of information on U.S. nonprofits and is the world's largest source of information about nonprofit organizations. GuideStar also serves to verify that a recipient organization is established and that donated funds go where the donor intended for individuals looking to give.

In 2013, GuideStar invited nonprofits to supplement the public information that is available from the IRS.  GuideStar Nonprofit Profiles implement three seals based on the information a nonprofit provides in its profile: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley is a Platium Standard organization within Guidestar.  Transparency and openness are standards at the core of our organization.  To view our rating and disclosures, visit www.Guidestar.org.

 

Since 2001, Charity Navigator has empowered millions of donors by providing free access to data, tools, and resources to guide philanthropic decision-making. 

With nearly 200,000 charities rated, our comprehensive ratings shine a light on the cost-effectiveness and overall health of a charity’s programs, including measures of stability, efficiency, and sustainability. The metrics inform donors of not just where their dollars are going but what their dollars are doing. 

Charity Navigator helps millions of people take action and support the causes they care about by connecting them to the best charities that align with their passions and values.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley is a Four Star Charity with Charity Navigator, its highest possible rating!!

 

Mentor-  The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) is the unifying champion for expanding quality youth mentoring relationships in the United State.  For more than 25 years, MENTOR has served the mentoring field by providing a public voice; developing and delivering resources to mentoring programs nationwide; and promoting quality for mentoring through evidence-based standards, innovative resreach and essential tools.  MENTOR has developed and supports a national collective of affiliates that provide regional, state and local leadership and infrastructure necessary to support the expansion of quality mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley is a partner with MENTOR at the federal level and both the Iowa and Illinois Mentoring Partnerships at the state level.