Our
History
HISTORY THAT SPANS
MORE THAN A CENTURY
For more than a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping change kids’ perspectives and giving them the opportunity to reach their potential. And we have more than a century of volunteers, donors, and advocates just like you to thank.
It all started in 1904, when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement.
At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters.
Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers Association and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
More than 100 years later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders’ vision of bringing caring role models into the lives of children. And, today, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states—and in 12 countries around the world.
Here is a look at our history, from the start:
1902
Ernest Coulter, court clerk, helps organize the first New York Children's Court...
1903
Businessman Irvin F. Westheimer befriends a young boy in Cincinnati...
1904
Ernest Coulter founds the organized Big Brothers movement...
1912
The New York Times reports Big Brothers activity in 26 cities.
1914
Ernest Coulter embarks on a nationwide lecture tour; planning begins for a national Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.
1917
The first national conference of Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations is held in Grand Rapids, MI.
1923
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., becomes treasurer; first motion picture based on a Big and Little Brother relationship is released by Paramount Pictures.
1925
President Calvin Coolidge becomes patron of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation.
1930
Six hundred delegates attend a Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation meeting in New York City.
1934
President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt become patrons of the Federation.
1948
Norman Rockwell produces the sketch that becomes a symbol for the Big Brothers Association.
1951
The Big Brothers of the Year program begins; Associate Justice Tom Clark and J. Edgar Hoover are named.
1958
Big Brothers Association is chartered by Congress.
1970
Big Sisters International is incorporated.
1977
Big Sisters International and Big Brothers Association merge, forming Big Brothers Big Sisters of America with 357 agencies.
1984
The organization occupies its headquarters at 230 North 13th Street in Philadelphia.
1985
Honored with a commemorative stamp by the Postmaster General.
1995
Public/Private Ventures Study shows measurable positive results in youth mentoring.
1997
President Clinton holds Volunteer Summit in Philadelphia; organization plays key role.
1998
Big Brothers Big Sisters International is founded.
2003
President George W. Bush announces a three-year $450 million mentoring initiative.
2004
Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates 100 years of service.
2006
First Lady Laura Bush stars in a national volunteer recruitment PSA.
2007
Study reinforces the value of strong, long-lasting mentoring relationships; Super Bowl PSA with coaches Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith airs to 90 million viewers.
2010
President Obama holds a White House National Mentoring Month Ceremony; organization plays key role.
2011
National mentoring initiative “Start Something” is launched.
2012
First nationwide Youth Outcomes Survey Report is released, showing progress in education, risky behaviors, and socio-emotional development.
2015
BBBSA relocates its national headquarters to Tampa, Florida.