HomeMy WebLinkAboutBig Brothers Big Sisters HSG 2024-25 ApplicationHuman Services Grant Application
2024-25 Application Questions
Part 1 Basic Information
1. Organization Name *
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County
2. Fiscal Agent (if different than above)*
NA
3. Project/Program Name *
Mentoring to help disadvantaged youth meet their full potential
4. Requested Amount *
$10,000
5. Name of Person Completing Application *
Anna Boyd-Bucy, Grants Manager
6. Name of Person for Grant Communication and Contract for Grant Cycle (if different from above)*
Caity McCardell, Development Director
7. Organization Mailing Address *
142 Cross Street, Suite 140, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
8. Phone *
805-781-3226
9. Email *
Caity@slobigs.org
Part 2 Organizational Information
1. Purpose/Mission Statement *
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County's urgent and essential mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
2. Briefly describe your organization’s purpose, vision, primary activities, and operating structures *
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County's vision is that all youth achieve their full potential. Since 1994, Big Brothers Big Sisters of
San Luis Obispo County has provided over 3,000 local youth aged 5-25 with wraparound casework and meaningful, monitored, results-
driven, professionally supported one-to-one interactions with screened, trained, qualified mentors. We are a 2022 Gold Standard award-
winning affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America due to the growth and quality of our local mentoring relationships, putting us in the
top 5% of programs nationwide. In addition, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce recognized us as a 2023 Diamond Level Family-
Friendly workplace.
Utilizing over 100 years of researched and perfected curriculum from the country 's largest evidenced-based mentoring organization, we are
an independent 501(c)3 (77-0348487) governed and funded locally. With a budget of $1M and a staff of 10, we empower the potential of
about 350 young people each year throughout San Luis Obispo County. Our community values our program as over 250 volunteers provide
over 18,000 hours of service to our programs each year. Another 30+ youth have requested a mentor and are waiting.
3. Name of Executive Director *
Caity McCardell, Interim
4. Name of Board President or Chair *
Amity Faes
5. Number of paid staff (full or part-time)*
10
6. Number of volunteers *
250
7. Describe the community(ies) your organization supports *
Households with youth receiving a mentor in our programs are among the most disadvantaged in our community and the least likely to be
able to access supportive resources without the aid of a mentor and caseworker. Two-thirds are BIPOC (Black or Indigenous People of
Color), despite SLO only having about a third of its population as non-white. Four in ten are in monolingual Spanish-speaking homes. Two-
thirds live at or below 200% of the federal poverty, with many more in poverty considering our high local cost of living. Nearly half (46%) are
growing up without the benefits of a 2-parent/ 2-income home, and of those in 2-parent homes, nearly all have multiple siblings and both
parents work multiple minimum wage jobs.
8. Approximate Annual Budget *
$1,009,989
9. Major Sources of Funding *
We expect our institutional funder profile to look similar to 2023
Lucia Mar Unified School District $114,028
Office of Juvenile Justice $110,000 (secured for 2024)
William and Charlene Glikbarg Foundation $40,000
Justin/Wonderful $35,000
Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust $20,000
County of San Luis Obispo $18,450
Pacific Western Bank/Bank of California $15,000
Cal Poly Corp $14,659
Theta Chi Fraternity $12,148
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County $10,000
City of Arroyo Grande $6,500, ($5,000 secured for 2024)
Lindsey Harn Group $6,135 ($7,500 secured for 2024)
Oso Libre Winery $6,000 ($2,500 secured for 2024)
Ambiance $5,029
Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno $5,000
City of San Luis Obispo $5,000
Henry W. Bull Foundation $5,000
Paul J. McCann Foundation $5,000
Peak WiFi $5,000
Rotary Club De Tolosa $5,000
Part 3 Project/Program Information
14. In the table below include a minimum of four (4) metrics or performance outcomes that
relate to the implementation/success of the project. Examples include: # of SLO City
residents served, # of referrals provided to individuals seeking social services.
Methods of Evaluation Indicators of Success / Measurable Outcomes
# of SLO City children served. Staff collect, manage, and report all
survey and interview data through our shared data management
system, Matchforce, to ensure compliance with the BBBS
Standards of Practice and to achieve, track, and report outcomes
for youth served. This data management system also allows us to
track and report key indicators such as demographics of program
participants, number of active mentor pairs, total children served,
mentoring match length, and retention rates.
We anticipate serving 140 youth residing in the City of SLO.
Approximately 50 will be high school students receiving
leadership training as a supported mentor, and 90 will be
elementary and middle school youth receiving mentorship
through our evidence-based programs.
% of participants showing improvement or positive stability in
Socio-emotional competency. We use Youth/Child Outcomes
Surveys YOS/COS, developed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of
America in conjunction with the OJJDP and updated in 2020 by
internal and external research and information technology
experts to ensure that outcome data is accurately reflected. The
COS is administered to children ages 10 years or younger, while
the YOS is administered to children ages 11 years or older. BBBS
staff administer the baseline YOS or COS before the mentoring
match begins and the follow-up at the annual match anniversary
milestone.
We anticipate at least 75% of mentees enrolled for at least a year
will show improvement or positive stability in their levels of
emotional regulation, social competence, family connectedness,
depressive symptoms, and goal-setting and pursuit skills.
% of participants showing improvement or positive stability in
Educational Success. Each year, we participate in the national
administration of Youth Outcome Surveys developed alongside
the OJJDP to track changes.
We anticipate at least 75% of mentees enrolled for at least a year
will show improvement or positive stability in their levels of
Educational success as measured by the indicators of Academic
Performance, Educational Expectations, Truancy, and School
Connectedness.
% of participants showing reduction or positive stability in
avoidance of risky behaviors. Each year, we participate in the
national administration of Youth Outcome Surveys developed
alongside the OJJDP to track changes.
We anticipate at least 98% of mentees enrolled for at least a year
will avoid police and juvenile justice involvement.
1. Please provide an executive summary of proposed project/program *
Funding will be used toward professional caseworkers to pair and sustain mentoring relationships for disadvantaged youth residing in the
City of San Luis Obispo. Caseworkers (bilingual/bicultural where appropriate) will screen, train, pair with a mentor, support, assess, and
provide referrals to address physical, mental health, and developmental service needs, including connections to hunger prevention
programs. Most families we serve are from marginalized communities, and our services encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The professionally supported mentor provides guidance, resources, and connections that change participant's lives, helping youth ignite
and harness their potential. The positive and supportive relationship with their mentor reinforces building positive relationships with peers
and other adults, including teachers and parents, increasing the likelihood that they will improve grades, stay in school, and graduate. The
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention cites our programs for improvements in academic performance, parent-child and student-
teacher relationships, and parental trust.
City of San Luis Obispo funding will be used as a match to federal pass-through funding from the OJJDP Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention. The amount of funding directly determines the number of program staff we can hire and, thus, the number of
families we serve.
2. Total Project Cost?*
$211,613.00
3. Requested Project Amount *
$10,000.00
4. Please provide a detailed description of proposed project/program *
Coming out of the pandemic closures, youth mental health has significantly declined, and those most at-risk are the least likely to have
access to protective factors. A 2021 study by Challenge Success in partnership with NBC News found two-thirds of all high school students
felt unable to cope with sources of stress in their lives. This impact is even more profound for the vulnerable populations we serve. In
February 2023, the CDC found elevated rates of violence, depression, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth and that three in five
teenage girls are experiencing persistent sadness.
Our youth mentoring programs are urgently needed to assist, educate, and enrich the lives of local vulnerable, low-income youth with
proven educational and mental health outcomes. A 2016 study in Prevention Science by DeWit et al. found youth in our programs had
“significantly fewer behavioral problems and fewer symptoms of depression and social anxiety than did non-mentored youths. They also
reported stronger coping skills and emotional support from parents.” Additionally, a 2013 P/PV Role of Risk study found that “The strongest
program benefit, and most consistent across risk groups, was a reduction in depressive symptoms, a particularly noteworthy finding given
that almost one in four youth reported worrisome levels of these symptoms at baseline. Findings also suggested gains in social acceptance,
academic attitudes, and grades.”
We offer two evidenced-based programs using a nationally tested and perfected model in which caseworkers screen and train volunteer
mentors in youth development and trauma-informed practices. We pay careful attention when pairing mentors with youth considering
geography, shared interests, and backgrounds.
In our School Based mentoring program, high school and college students meet with a child weekly after school at the elementary or
Middle School campus to share a nutritious snack, participate in physical exercise through games designed to build teamwork, and build
supported relationships through our quality learning curriculum. This program allows us to serve two youth with each mentoring pair. High
School Students receive leadership experience while mentoring the younger students using a robust curriculum designed to enhance
relationship building, friendship, and collaboration and address specific topics based on local and individual needs. The STEM curriculum
provided through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is augmented with PACER anti-bullying curriculum, Harassment Prevention and
Bystander Intervention curriculum by Learning for Justice, and a SLO Climate Change workshop.
In our Community Based mentoring program, pairs meet 2-8 times a month in locations throughout the community for activities chosen
based on individualized goals set by the youth in their Youth Outcome Development Plan. These range from academic and artistic pursuits
to therapeutic and skill-building experiences. Through ongoing casework, staff provides referrals to meet the family ’s needs, such as food,
shelter, and counseling services, hosts monthly group mentoring activities and parent workshops, trains the mentors in youth development
and trauma-informed practices, makes individualized activity suggestions, and helps the mentoring pair access low-cost activities centered
around individualized goals.
In both programs, the time spent together provides vital opportunities for exploration, creativity, learning, and meaningful connections with
a caring mentor. With training and support, the mentors develop a deep understanding of the child’s and family’s needs while building long-
lasting, positive relationships. The vital guidance, resources, and connections the mentor provides change the life trajectory of participating
kids, helping youth ignite and harness their potential. Because our focus is social-emotional but includes youth-led goal setting, young
people feel inherently valued and respected. The positive and supportive relationship with their mentor reinforces building positive
relationships with peers and other adults, including teachers and parents, ultimately increasing the likelihood that they will improve grades,
stay in school, and graduate.
Your investment will ensure professional caseworkers pair and sustain mentoring relationships using a nationally researched and perfected
model that is ongoing and occurs throughout the year. Our in-depth process emphasizes compatibility, commitment, family involvement,
and child safety and includes the following specific actions:
● Volunteer recruitment: Significant work involves identifying and recruiting volunteer mentors with compatible social identities,
personalities, and interests who live near the youth on our waitlist.
● Comprehensive Interview Process: Caseworkers thoroughly interview caregivers, youth, and volunteers to determine priorities, interests,
availability, and suitability.
● Emphasis on Child Safety: All mentors undergo a thorough multi-level screening process, including reference and public domain checks.
Mentors over the age of 18 are also fingerprinted and receive full criminal records checks to ensure child safety.
● Quality Human-Centered Casework: Caseworkers create ideal mentor pairs and contact all parties monthly for the first year and quarterly
after that. Check-ins include structured assessments to screen for child abuse, physical and mental health issues, basic needs, and progress
toward individualized goals set by the youth. Caseworkers provide training to volunteer mentors and guardians via a national curriculum
with online modules and in-person classes covering a variety of topics, including youth development, active communication, ADHD, trauma-
informed care, mental health, and others based on individual needs. We provide culturally competent follow-up care and referrals to local
resources to help meet family needs and youth-set goals.
● Strong Positive Outcomes: We use BBBS America Youth/Child Outcomes Surveys (YOS/COS), a pre/post tool developed alongside the
OJJDP, to evaluate our impact measuring areas of behavior, attitude & school performance that predict long-term success.
In 2023 we were proud to report that no enrolled children entered the juvenile justice system, and all improved their academic
performance/ school grades. In addition, the pre-post tool found that those mentored for at least a year showed positive stability or
improvement in the following areas:
● Educational Expectations 85%
● Academic Performance/ School Grades 100%
● Excused Absences/ Truancy 77%
● Depressive Symptoms 77%
● Emotion Regulation 90%
● Family/Parent Trust and Connectedness 93%
● Goal setting and Pursuit Skills 90%
5. Describe the community/population the project/program will support.*
This project will support disadvantaged youth living in the City of San Luis Obispo. The families we support are those most in need of
supportive physical, mental health, and developmental services, including connections to hunger prevention programs. The majority of the
families we serve are from marginalized communities, and our services encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion. Spanish-speaking families
will receive the support of bilingual/bicultural caseworkers.
Households with youth receiving a mentor in our programs are among the most disadvantaged in our community and the least likely to be
able to access supportive resources without the aid of a mentor and caseworker. Over a third of our clients live in the City of San Luis
Obispo, and their demographics closely match our clients countrywide. Two-thirds are BIPOC (Black or Indigenous People of Color), and
Twenty percent are in monolingual Spanish-speaking homes. Two-thirds live at or below 200% of the federal poverty, a feat more
compounded by the high cost of living in San Luis Obispo. Nearly half (46%) are growing up without the benefits of a 2-parent/ 2-income
home, and of those in 2-parent homes, nearly all have multiple siblings and both parents work multiple minimum wage jobs.
6. The HRC has identified homeless prevention including affordable and alternative housing, supportive services, and
transitional housing as the main funding priority. Does your grant request meet this funding priority?*
Yes
No
7. Which other priority of the non-ranked HRC funding priorities does your request support? Please check the appropriate
boxes:*
Hunger and malnutrition prevention
Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need
Services for seniors and/or people with disabilities in need
Supportive and developmental services for children and youth in need
Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in marginalized communities
8. Provide timeline for project *
Professional caseworkers pair and sustain mentoring relationships using a nationally researched and perfected model that is ongoing and
occurs throughout the year.
9. Identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this project/program and their roles *
Youth in our School Based programs are referred directly by the schools' teachers and guidance counselors. Our Community Based
programs serve a wide variety of families living across SLO County neighborhoods. Youth referrals come via word of mouth, partnerships
with other CBOs, and through the SLO County Office of Education Migrant Education program.
BBBS SLO collaborates extensively in our community to serve families in our program with wraparound services. When additional needs are
identified, or requests are made by families in the program for assistance, BBBS SLO staff refer families to local nonprofits including: LINK
Family Resource Center, Womanaide, Estero Bay Kindness Coalition, the San Luis Obispo Food Bank and their partner pantries, El Camino
Homeless Organization (ECHO), Peoples Self-Help Housing, Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo and the Paso Robles Housing Authority
offering housing assistance, YouthWorks, providing leadership skills for youth, San Luis Obispo County SAFE teams, offering resources for
families, CASA of San Luis Obispo County, helping abused or neglected children, GALA, Hospice of SLO County, San Luis Obispo Community
Counseling Center, San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health and Social Services, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo
(CAPSLO), offers supportive services, Lumina Alliance emergency shelter and counseling for abuse survivors, Noor Foundation, offering
medical, dental, and vision care, Family Care Network, serving families impacted by trauma, Children’s Resource Network, Jack’s Helping
Hands, assistance for children with special needs, Restorative Partners, to support restorative justice, and all locations of YMCA and Boys
and Girls Clubs in San Luis Obispo.
Among our most valued partnerships are those that supply us with volunteers. Formal partnerships with Cuesta, Alan Hancock, and Cal
Poly supply us with Sociology, Psychology, and Child Development Interns, and we have contract placements through the Americorps and
College Corps programs. These positions help recruit volunteer mentors.
10. Describe your plan for sustainability beyond the City’s one-year award funding *
We work toward a diversified funding revenue portfolio to support our existing and expanding youth mentorship programs beyond the
support of any individual funder. We ensure financial sustainability by pursuing diverse revenue streams that balance risk, investing in our
staffing, maintaining a high level of financial commitment from our Board of Directors, and regularly contributing to our operating reserve
that provides a financial safety net.
We fund our mission through a strategy that seeks to balance revenue streams and thus has begun in earnest actively stewarding all,
especially individual donors. We occasionally pursue larger government grants and have received funding from the Lucia Mar Unified
School District and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. But, since government funding can see dramatic fluctuations,
we rely more heavily on support from individuals, foundations, and corporations rooted in our own county. This balanced approach and
relationships with long-term funders have sustained our local organization since 1994.
We hope the City of San Luis Obispo will continue to partner with us as we work to create strong outcomes for young people. The funding
raised directly impacts the number of children we serve each year. We look forward to continuing our work together.
11. Describe the plan for promoting this project, program, or service within the City of San Luis Obispo *
We already have 17 youth in the City of SLO who have requested the help of a mentor and are patiently waiting. In addition, we receive
youth referrals via partnerships with Hawthorne and Pacheco Elementary, both Title One schools, and the SLO County Office of Education
Migrant Education Program.
Through partnerships with area colleges, we have interns, Americorps members, and College Corp placements actively working to recruit
volunteer mentors using a combination of grassroots tabling at local events and social media outreach campaigns. In addition, we partner
with American General Media and regularly advertise on their radio stations.
12. Est. Number of people served through this project/program *
400
13. Est. Number of SLO City Residents served through this project/program *
140
Attachments
Copy of Organization’s most recent complete fiscal year financial statement (for the previous year because it is the
middle of the current fiscal year) including a statement of financial position/balance sheet, statement of revenue &
expenses/income statement, profit & loss.
Financial Statement *
BBBSSLO unaudited 2023 financial statements.pdf 8.72KB
1-page Organization Chart *
BBBS SLO 2024-02 Org Chart.pdf 105.07KB
Document Certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status *
BBBSSLO 501(c)(3) 1994 IRS Tax exemption letter.pdf 1,022.45KB
1-page detailed budget for the program including how the total requested amount of grant would be spent.
Budget *
BBBSSLO 2024 City of San Luis Obispo Program Budget.docx.pdf 180.58KB
1-page DEI statement that includes:
Applicants’ understanding and application of DEI
Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging in our community apart from grant
Explain how this project will advance DEI in the City of SLO
DEI Statement *
BBBSSLO DEI Statement for City of SLO 2024.docx.pdf 56.09KB
Interim Executive Director
Community-Based Team Site-Based Team
Community-Based Manager
Michael Zavala, Enrollment
Specialist
Teresa Alvaro, Match Support
Lead
Teddy Yu
Takehiro Kanegi
Neil Train
Isabel Mercado
Harper Russo
Greta Mae Evans
Aleah Watkins, Program
Coordinator
Diana Ramirez-Capiz, North
County Program Specialist
Luis Enriquez-Soto, Middle
School Program Coordinator
Caity McCardell
Marina PennaDawn Siegmund
Lisa Mejia
Caity McCardell
Site-Based Manager Development Director
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Accounting Admin Assist
Balance Financial Management
Financial Management
Bizhaven
HR Contractor
2024 City of San Luis Obispo Program Budget
City of SLO Program
Budget
City of SLO
Program
Request
Revenue
Individuals $14,400
Corporations $11,340
Foundations $66,425
Federal Govt $68,823
Local Govt/Schools $43,425 $10,000
Special Events $7,200
TOTAL REVENUE $211,613
Expenses
Personnel
Salaries $137,592 $10,000
Taxes &Benefits $19,306
Direct Other-Than-Personnel Expenses
Operations expenses $2,804
Business Expenses $1,006
Program Expenses $9,634
Insurance $3,112
Contract Services $22,496
Facilities/Occupancy $8,643
BBBS Affiliation,curriculum,and software $7,019
TOTAL EXPENSES $211,613
This request is for salaries to support direct service program casework staff serving youth in the City of
San Luis Obispo.This Budget excludes overhead or administrative costs and is for direct program costs
only.
As of Dec 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets
Total Bank Accounts $ 451,378.16
Total Accounts Receivable $ 58,951.03
Total Other Current Assets $ 65,786.67
Total Current Assets $ 576,115.86
Total Fixed Assets $ 7,831.38
TOTAL ASSETS $ 583,947.24
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities $ 63,987.23
Total Long-Term Liabilities $ 139,539.59
Total Liabilities $ 203,526.82
Equity
3010 Net Assets w/o Donor Restrict 322,225.72
3020 Net Assets w Donor Restrict 61,000.00
3900 Retained Earnings 36,520.76
Net Income -39,326.06
Total Equity $ 380,420.42
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 583,947.24
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 11:26:36 AM GMT-8 - Accrual Basis
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2023 (unaudited)
Total
Income
Total 40001 Contributions $ 306,163.25
Total 41001 Event Income $ 146,200.77
Total 42200 Contracts and Grants $ 378,771.93
Total 44000 Other/Misc. Income $ 536.84
Total Income $ 831,672.79
Expenses
Total 51200 Event Expense $ 74,842.53
Total 550001 Fundraising Expenses $ 17,766.69
Total 557001 Program Expenses $ 95,833.43
Total 557300 Personnel Expenses $ 586,781.75
Total 56000 Office & Business Expenses $ 103,709.53
Total 570010 Facilities Expenses $ 53,877.64
Total Expenses $ 932,811.57
Net Operating Income -$ 101,138.78
Other Income
43500 In Kind Contributions 71,408.46
Total Other Income $ 71,408.46
Other Expenses
57054 Depreciation 5,702.51
58000 Interest Expense 3,893.23
Total Other Expenses $ 9,595.74
Net Other Income $ 61,812.72
Net Income -$ 39,326.06
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 11:26:54 AM GMT-8 - Accrual Basis
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County
Profit and Loss
Unaudited January - December 2023
DEI Statement
We are a proud affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and abide by our commitment:At Big
Brothers Big Sisters of America,justice,equity,diversity,and inclusion (JEDI)is an integral part of our
values and mission.We recognize,affirm,and celebrate the diverse backgrounds,lives,and experiences
of all of our stakeholders,including youth,families,donors,volunteers,and staff.We ensure the
opportunity for all voices and perspectives to be heard and honored.In the workplace,we foster an
environment where all people can be their best selves.We affirm that every person (regardless of ability,
age,cultural background,ethnicity,faith,gender,gender identity,gender expression,ideology,income,
national origin,race or sexual orientation,marital or veteran status)has the opportunity to reach their
full potential.We strive to realize the full potential that is within all of us by ensuring that all voices and
perspectives are heard and honored.
Explain how this project will advance DEI in the City of SLO
On a local level,we understand that empowering young individuals from LGBTQ+and communities of
color is crucial to dismantling systemic bias,racism,and oppression.Our mentoring programs Advance
Justice and DEI principles in the City of SLO by pairing at-risk youth from marginalized communities with
caring adult mentors who are positive role models and advocates.We intentionally create
mentor-mentee relationships to transcend cultural barriers and promote cross-cultural understanding,
empathy,and mutual respect.
Our mentoring programs address the unique challenges faced by communities of color and the LGBTQ
community.We provide culturally competent support,ensuring that mentors are well-trained in
understanding and appreciating the diverse backgrounds of their mentees.By fostering these
one-on-one connections,we empower young individuals to break free from cycles of poverty,leading to
measurable improvements in academic performance,increased self-esteem,and enhanced life skills.
These benefits are long-term and systemic.A nationwide Harris Interactive survey of alum participants
found that adults mentored as children in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs were better educated,
wealthier,and had stronger relationships with family and friends.They were also more likely to act as a
mentor to the next generation.
We recognize the importance of community engagement in advancing equity.We actively collaborate
with community leaders,organizations,and schools to understand and address the specific needs of our
youth participant communities.Through these partnerships,we co-create solutions rooted in cultural
sensitivity and community input.We also provide resources and training to parents and guardians,
equipping them with tools to support the growth and development of their children.
We amplify the voices of our program participants and the communities we serve and advocate for
equitable policies that promote well-resourced communities.