Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit (BBBSMD) was formed in 1974 with the merger of five local Big Brother Big Sister organizations from throughout metro Detroit, with a focus on Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. BBBSMD is the largest one-to-one evidence-based mentoring organization in Southeast Michigan, serving nearly 1,000 youth annually with site-based and community-based mentoring programs. All BBBSMD programming is rooted in evidence-based practices, further differentiating BBBSMD from other mentoring programs. The mentoring model is certified by multiple federal government departments as an Effective evidence-based model in realizing positive outcomes for youth. Jennifer Spitler currently serves as President and CEO. The Comcast Beyond School Walls work site mentoring program is one of BBBSMD's longstanding corporate partnerships, active since 2010. The agency's leadership has transitioned through multiple CEOs in recent years: Jeannine Gant served from 2014 to 2022, followed by Nicole McKinney (June 2022, with prior background at United Way for Southeastern Michigan), and now Jennifer Spitler.
BBBSMD operates the largest professional one-to-one evidence-based mentoring network in Southeast Michigan. Approximately 1,000 youth are served annually through site-based and community-based mentoring programs. All BBBSMD programming is rooted in evidence-based practices, which differentiates the agency from informal or volunteer-only mentoring programs.
The mentoring model is certified by multiple federal government departments as an Effective evidence-based model in realizing positive outcomes for youth. The Effective certification allows BBBSMD to access federal mentoring program grants and signals to corporate partners and individual donors that the agency's programs are validated by rigorous outcomes research.
BBBSMD was formed in 1974 with the merger of five local Big Brother Big Sister organizations from throughout metro Detroit. The consolidated agency replaced five separate predecessor organizations that had operated independently across the Detroit region. The 1974 merger was one of the earlier major consolidations in the broader Big Brothers Big Sisters movement (which itself merged at the national level in 1977 to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of America).
The post-merger BBBSMD focused on Wayne County (containing the City of Detroit), Oakland County (northwest suburbs including Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Troy, and the Southfield headquarters area), and Macomb County (northeast suburbs including Warren, Sterling Heights, and St. Clair Shores). The three-county tri-region model has remained the agency's geographic scope through the decades since the 1974 merger.
BBBSMD has experienced significant leadership transitions in recent years. Jeannine Gant served as President and CEO from 2014 to 2022. Under her tenure, BBBSMD continued the evidence-based programming model and expanded corporate partnerships. Gant was named CEO in November 2014 after a CEO search process; she had prior leadership experience in Detroit-area nonprofit and education organizations.
Nicole McKinney was named president and CEO in June 2022. McKinney spent more than 15 years with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, serving as work-based learning director, director of high school success, Detroit and Wayne County area director, and campaign manager. McKinney also serves as a governor appointee on the Michigan Teacher Tenure Commission and as a trustee of the Birmingham Public Schools. Her leadership experience and success with youth programs were cited by then-board chair Kathie Patterson as a perfect fit with BBBS.
Jennifer Spitler currently serves as President and CEO. The most recent transition reflects the agency's continued evolution; CEO continuity is one of the strategic priorities for any mentoring nonprofit because the relationships with corporate partners, foundation funders, and major donors depend significantly on executive leadership stability.
Comcast Beyond School Walls is BBBSMD's work site mentoring program operated in partnership with Comcast. The program has been active since 2010. The model brings Littles into Comcast workplace facilities to spend time with their Big Brother or Big Sister who works at Comcast. This corporate partnership model allows Comcast employees to mentor a Little during structured work-site programming, removing the time and travel barriers that prevent some adults from committing to community-based mentoring.
Trudi, featured as a BBBSMD National Mentoring Month Match Big, has been a Big in the Comcast Beyond School Walls work site mentoring program since 2010, alongside her Little Damya. The 15-year match relationship between Trudi and Damya represents the kind of long-lasting impact that BBBSMD aims to facilitate. The picture of Damya teaching her Big Trudi arts and crafts has been featured in BBBSMD National Mentoring Month communications.
BBBSMD operates both community-based and site-based mentoring programs. Community-based mentoring is the traditional one-to-one model where Bigs and Littles meet outside structured program settings; the Big picks the Little up at home or school and they go on outings together across the tri-county area. Community-based requires more extensive volunteer time commitment, ongoing case management, and longer-term volunteer dedication.
Site-based mentoring includes the Comcast Beyond School Walls work site model plus school-based mentoring programs operated in partnership with Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county school districts. Site-based programs allow Bigs and Littles to meet during structured program hours at specific locations rather than requiring outside-of-program travel and scheduling.
BBBSMD volunteer Bigs must meet basic requirements: be 21 years of age or older; have a valid driver's license; be willing to commit to a minimum one-year experience; and reside within Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne County, Michigan. The 21-and-older age requirement is consistent with other BBBSA affiliates; the driver's license requirement reflects the geographic dispersion across the tri-county service area.
Potential Bigs must also be willing to participate in a Volunteer Orientation, complete the Volunteer Enrollment Process, work with BBBS staff during the matching process, connect with their Little regularly and meet consistently for at least four hours per month, and maintain ongoing communication with BBBSMD staff throughout the match. The screening process includes application, references, background check, interviews, and orientation; all are professional standards consistent with BBBSA national affiliate practices.
Matches are carefully developed by BBBSMD staff based on Big and Little interests, geographic proximity within the tri-county area, scheduling availability, and personality compatibility. Match Coordinators provide ongoing case management throughout the match relationship.
Volunteers are needed at BBBSMD to support more than just direct mentoring. Big programming support, family services to the families of Littles, fundraising, and agency event support are all volunteer pathways. There are community volunteer opportunities to contribute to the BBBSMD mission with varying levels of commitment beyond the minimum-one-year Big-to-Little match relationship.
BBBSMD events, fundraising galas, signature corporate engagement events, and community programming all need volunteer support each year. The diversity of volunteer roles allows community members who cannot commit to a one-year mentoring match to still contribute meaningfully to the BBBSMD mission.
Families can enroll children in BBBSMD programming. Visit bbbsmichigan.org and complete the youth enrollment form. The enrollment process includes information about the child, the family situation, the child's interests and needs, and any specific mentoring goals. BBBSMD Match Coordinators then identify a Big whose background, interests, and availability best match the Little's profile and geographic location within the tri-county service area.
Many Littles are referred by Detroit-area schools, social workers, faith communities, or other professionals. The professionally-supported one-to-one relationship with a caring adult is the BBBSMD core model. The agency makes a positive difference in the lives of children and youth primarily through these mentoring relationships, assisting Littles in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent, and caring individuals.
Donations can be made at bbbsmichigan.org/donate or by mail to BBBSMD's Southfield headquarters. BBBSMD is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with EIN 38-6112533. Donations are tax-deductible.
Major fundraising includes corporate partnerships, foundation grants, individual giving, and special events. The Comcast Beyond School Walls partnership is one of the agency's longest-running corporate engagements (active since 2010). Federal mentoring program grants flow to BBBSMD given the certified Effective evidence-based model status. Michigan-based corporations including Ford, GM, Stellantis, Quicken Loans/Rocket Mortgage, DTE Energy, Henry Ford Health, Beaumont Health, and other Detroit-area employers participate in various capacities.
BBBSMD files its own Form 990 separately from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The agency's evidence-based program model and federal certification position it to access government grants alongside private foundation and corporate giving. Match Coordinator staffing represents a significant share of operating costs because each Big and Little match requires ongoing professional case management.
The certified Effective evidence-based model status (from multiple federal government departments) is the agency's distinctive positioning relative to less-rigorous mentoring programs. The certification means BBBSMD has documented program outcomes that meet federal standards for what works in mentoring; this standing allows the agency to compete successfully for federal mentoring program grants and to communicate its impact credibly to corporate partners.
For pure scale of youth-serving nonprofit infrastructure in Metro Detroit, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan reaches more children through after-school programming, the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit operates extensive child care and community programming, and dozens of other youth-serving nonprofits operate at scale. For one-to-one structured evidence-based mentoring specifically, BBBSMD is the largest single agency in Southeast Michigan with approximately 1,000 active matches.
BBBSMD's specific advantages: the 1974 merger consolidating five predecessor organizations into a single agency with cumulative institutional capacity, the certified Effective evidence-based model status, the Comcast Beyond School Walls work site partnership and other site-based program models, the tri-county geographic reach across Wayne/Oakland/Macomb, and the deep corporate partnership infrastructure with major Detroit-area employers.
Practical framing: for parents looking for a structured mentor for their child in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County, BBBSMD is the largest evidence-based one-to-one mentoring agency in the region. For adults looking to mentor a young person in Metro Detroit, BBBSMD offers the deepest infrastructure of vetted matches, ongoing professional support, and federally certified program quality.
Last updated May 2026. BBBSMD founding 1974 merger of five local Big Brother Big Sister organizations from throughout metro Detroit with focus on Wayne Oakland and Macomb counties, largest one-to-one evidence-based mentoring organization in Southeast Michigan serving nearly 1,000 youth annually, federal certification as Effective evidence-based model, Comcast Beyond School Walls work site mentoring program since 2010 featuring Big Trudi and Little Damya match, from the BBBSMD homepage (bigbrobigsisdet.wixsite.com) and the NEW BBBSMD LinkedIn page. Volunteer requirements (21+ years old, valid driver's license, one-year commitment, reside in Wayne/Oakland/Macomb County, four hours per month minimum) from the GuideStar BBBS Southeast Michigan profile (38-6112533). Jennifer Spitler as current President and CEO from the RocketReach BBBS Metropolitan Detroit profile. Jeannine Gant as CEO from 2014 to 2022 from the Crain's Detroit Business November 2014 announcement. Nicole McKinney named president and CEO June 2022 with 15+ years at United Way for Southeastern Michigan as work-based learning director, director of high school success, Detroit and Wayne County area director, and campaign manager, plus governor appointee on Michigan Teacher Tenure Commission and trustee of Birmingham Public Schools, board chair Kathie Patterson quote, from the Crain's Detroit Business June 2022 article. Volunteer needs beyond Big role (programming support, family services, fundraising, agency events) from the Michigan Volunteers BBBSMD listing. Headquarters Southfield Michigan reference. We are not affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and receive no compensation for this listing. Errors: [email protected]
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