Big Brothers Big Sisters depends on Alaskans for support. It isn’t easy being a kid these days. In these complex and confusing times, children need caring adult mentors and friends—someone they can talk to, have fun with and learn from.

Your contribution makes a significant impact.
Drop outs cost Alaska $32,778,000 in lost wages.
Over 3642 of Alaska’s children will drop out and not finish high school in 2006. These kids will earn at least $9000/yr LESS than their peers who do finish. That $9000 a year equals $32,778,000 in lost wages for Alaskans every year

Littles in our program are 52% less likely to skip class. They stay more engaged in class, do better in school and ultimately, graduate. Teachers in our school-based program report that our Littles have reduced unexcused absences.

Teen drinking and driving costs $317 Million annually
The cost of underage drinking to the citizens of Alaska was $317 million in 2005, inclusive of medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering . This is equivalent to $3,944 per year for each youth in the State. Based on these figures, per capita, Alaska is second among the fifty states for the cost of underage drinking.

Littles are 27% less likely to use alcohol. As a result they are also less likely to engage in a whole variety of behaviors linked to alcohol use and abuse including drinking and driving

12650 of Alaska’s teens will use drugs this year

12650 of kids in Alaska aged 10-17 will use drugs this year. Societal cost of drug use is estimated to be approximately $12,000 per year per user. This adds up to a $151.8 Million problem for Alaska

Littles are 46% less likely to ever begin using drugs. 12650 of kids in Alaska aged 10-17 will use drugs this year. Societal cost of drug use is estimated to be approximately $12,000 per year per user. This adds up to a $151.8 Million problem for Alaska

Here’s how your donation will be used:

• Our goal is to serve 3000 children across Alaska by 2010 by providing each one of them with a caring adult mentor, your donation helps us recruit mentors for these children.
• The safety of the children in our program is our primary concern, your donation covers the cost of background checks and insurance and ongoing training for our professional staff to ensure safe and effective mentors for our children
• Training is essential to success and safety of our mentoring relationships, your donation will support the training efforts and opportunities provided for each of our volunteers matched to children in our program
• The well being of all the Bigs, Little and families involved in our program is critical to our children’s success, your donation allows us to professionally screen, interview, match and support the children, mentors and families in our program.

Your donation goes to your community:
When you make a gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you directly support children in your community.

There are many ways that an individual or business can impact our children’s lives.

1.       Make a secure donation online

2.       Call your local office to make a gift of appreciated property such as stocks or real estate

3.       Leave a legacy by making a planned gift

4.       Donate in-kinds goods or services

5.       Support our fundraising events, through your participation and financial support

6.       Give a gift in memory of a loved one with a sponsor tribute or memorial gift

7.       Ask your company to match your gift

What Your Gift Can Do:

$50,000 transforms a school.
Your $50,000 gift helps us open a new site-based mentoring program at a school. Children mentored come back to class more participatory, more prepared and show improved attendance and academic performance. Teachers tell us that when even a few children in a classroom are mentored, EVERY child in the class benefits—and that more time is spent on teaching, rather than disciplinary action.

$5000 transforms a life
Your $5000 gift helps us make and support a match for 3 years, the average length of our matches.

$500 helps us recruit more volunteers
Your $500 gift helps us sponsor a recruiting event to attract more volunteers and help match more kids. 

$50 helps keep kids safe
Your $50 gift pays for the criminal background check we do on every volunteer. Your $50 donation helps to gets the process started, the first step in our child safety system.

Every gift matters, at any level.
Your gift matters. The kids we serve can’t tell the difference between a large and a small donation—they just know someone cared enough to help. By contributing to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you are helping to transform what it means to grow up in Alaska.