BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY Charity Report

Public IRS 990 nonprofit record

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

EIN 83-3554712 · Big Brothers & Big Sisters (O31)

What they do

Working With Parents, Guardians, and Volunteers, We Create and Support One-to-one Mentoring Relationships That Ignite The Power and Promise of Youth. Mission and Vision Continued Vision: We Believe ALL Youth Can Reach Their Full Potential Thereby Contributing to Better Schools, Brighter Futures, and Stronger, Healthier Communities for All. Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Commitment: At Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Lowcountry (BBBSL), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are Integral Parts of Our Values and Mission. We Seek Out, Recognize, Affirm, and Celebrate The Diverse Backgrounds, Lives, and Experiences of All 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 Lived Experience is Valued and Where All People Can Be Their Best Selves. We Affirm That All People No Matter Their Ability, Age, Cultural Background, Ethnic

Before you give

Should I give to this charity?

Easy charity check

Look at where the money went

Of every $100 spent, about $69.60 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.

Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.

Basic facts we verified

IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.

Money report from 2024The charity has a recent tax report to read.

They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.

They name their leaders14 people are listed in the latest report.

You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.

Money made simple

137.23%of revenue went to mission work69.6% of expenses · Program services

32.58%of revenue went to fundraising16.5% of expenses

$197.17spent for every $100 of revenueSpending was higher than revenue this year.

27.36%of revenue went to management and office costs13.9% of expenses

$0.58in assets for every $1 spent this yearSome assets cannot be spent right away.

91.9%of its money came from giftsOther money may come from services or investments.

Ask these three easy questions

Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.

Worth asking: Expenses exceeded revenue by $465,774 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.

Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $105,622 for MERRIDITH CROWE (CEO (FORMER)). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.

Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.

Money

Financial picture

Tax year 2024

A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.

$100revenue

How each $100 of revenue was used

The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.

Total reported revenue$479,321

Mission workProgram services$657,778137.23% of revenue69.6% of expenses

ManagementOffice and general costs$131,15827.36% of revenue13.9% of expenses

FundraisingAsking for donations$156,15932.58% of revenue16.5% of expenses

Total expenses$945,095197.17% of revenue

Expenses were greater than revenue, so the colored ring fills the available $100 and the total above 100% is shown below.

Has the pattern changed?

Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.

YearExpense mixDetails

2024CurrentExpense mix: 69.6% mission · 13.9% management · 16.5% fundraisingTotal expenses: 197.17% of revenue

2023Expense mix: 74.0% mission · 5.9% management · 20.1% fundraisingTotal expenses: 95.81% of revenue

2022Expense mix: 77.6% mission · 6.7% management · 15.7% fundraisingTotal expenses: 85.04% of revenue

2021Expense mix: 70.1% mission · 8.7% management · 21.2% fundraisingTotal expenses: 60.26% of revenue

2020Expense mix: 76.4% mission · 5.9% management · 17.7% fundraisingTotal expenses: 73.91% of revenue

2019Expense mix: 76.6% mission · 10.4% management · 12.9% fundraisingTotal expenses: 87.19% of revenue

Money in and money out

Revenue$479,321

Expenses$945,095

Annual shortfall $465,774 Expenses were higher than revenue for this filing year.

Reported spending amounts

Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.

Mission work (program services)$657,778 · 69.6% of expenses

Management and office costs$131,158 · 13.9% of expenses

Fundraising$156,159 · 16.5% of expenses

See all reported dollar amounts

Revenue$479,321

Expenses$945,095

Assets$546,114

Income$541,962

Contributions$440,352

Mission work (program services)$657,778

Fundraising$156,159

Management and general$131,158

Executive compensation (total)$78,794

Stocks and bonds$221,237

Accounting fees$20,752

People

Leadership and board

Tax year 2024

Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.

People reported as paid

Person and titleCompensation

MERRIDITH CROWECEO (FORMER) · 40 hrs/week $105,622Base $98,189 · Other $7,433

RYAN VRBAINTERIM CEO · 40 hrs/week $42,570Base $38,918 · Other $3,652

Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.

See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (14)

MERRIDITH CROWECEO (FORMER)

RYAN VRBAINTERIM CEO

CJ GATHERSCEO

CYNTHIA LEGETTEDIRECTOR

DANIELLE DIXON THOMASDIRECTOR

DANNY LYNCHDIRECTOR

GENNA SHELNUTTDIRECTOR

JAYMES MCCLOUDDIRECTOR

KEONTA RAMSEYDIRECTOR

LUKE SEARSTREASURER

NIKKI KUNIEJDIRECTOR

PETER DAVIDSONCHAIR

RYAN CASSDIRECTOR

TYLER HEFFERNANDIRECTOR

About this charity

Recognized since: January 2019
Location: 3324 RIVERS AVE, N CHARLESTON, SC 29405-7741
County: Charleston
In care of: Luke Sears
Primary officer: Luke Sears, Treasurer

How to reach them

WebsiteVisit the charity’s website Phone(843) 401-3556

Filing and classification

Latest tax year: 2024
Tax period began: July 1, 2024
Return type: 990
Tax preparer: GLASER AND COMPANY LLC
NTEE classification: Big Brothers & Big Sisters (O31)
IRS tax category: Big Brothers & Big Sisters