Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

Enrollment: volunteer enrollment - potential volunteers complete an online application form, providing basic information and expressing their interest in becoming a mentor. Bbbs staff reviews the application and contacts the applicant to provide more information and answer any questions. Applicants attend a virtual or in-person interview with bbbs staff to discuss their motivations, interests, and suitability for mentoring. A thorough background check is conducted, including: criminal history check, fingerprint check (for federal grants), and driving record check. Volunteers attend pre-match training sessions to learn about the program, expectations, and best practices for mentoring. Bbbs staff carefully assesses the volunteer's interests, personality, and preferences to find a suitable match with a child. Once a potential match is identified, the volunteer's information is shared with the child's parent or guardian for approval. A meeting is arranged between the volunteer, the child, the child's parent/guardian, and a bbbs match support specialist. During this meeting, agency ground rules are discussed, and any remaining paperwork is completed.child enrollment - parents or guardians initiate the process by contacting bbbs agency or filling out an online application form. Basic information about the child and family is collected to determine eligibility. The child enrollment specialists conducts an interview with the parent/guardian and the child. This interview helps the agency understand the child's needs, interests, and personality to make an appropriate match. The interview takes place at the family's home. Child safety training is provided for both parents and children. After the interview and assessment, the child is placed on a waiting list. The waiting period can vary depending on the availability of suitable mentors. When a potential mentor is identified, bbbs staff presents the match to the family. Parents have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the proposed match. If the match is approved, a meeting is arranged between the child, parent/guardian, the mentor, and a bbbs case manager. This meeting allows everyone to get acquainted and discuss program guidelines.volunteer recruitment - developing and implementing targeted recruitment campaigns to address specific needs. Attending community fairs and events aligned with the organization's mission. Partnering with local universities and colleges to recruit student volunteers. Forming partnerships with local businesses, sponsors, and government officials. Utilizing social media platforms for recruitment, including creating shareable content for volunteers. Distributing public service announcements to television and radio stations. Implementing social media campaigns to reach a wider audience. Hosting recruitment events, such as information sessions. Providing promotional materials like posters and flyers with qr codes for easy access to information.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 58.4%; rating input score 58
• Program expense ratio: 60.8%; rating input score 61
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.3 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 6.1%; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.97; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.9%; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.3% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.4% per year; rating input score 100; 57th percentile among comparable filings