ST. CLOUD, MN (May 25, 2022) –
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota will receive a 1.5 million-dollar gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest donation from a single individual in the organization’s history.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is a nonprofit that creates meaningful, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships between youth/Littles and mentors/Bigs. The organization serves young people and families residing in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Morrison, and Wright counties.
Jackie Johnson, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, states, “Ms. Scott understands the life-long transformational importance of one person reaching out and helping another person. Her generous gift to our agency will directly change our kids’ lives – and therefore, our communities – today and well in the future. This investment is an endorsement of our daily work, and her generosity will benefit this agency for generations to come.”
The gift supports Big Brothers Big Sisters in furthering its mission to ensure young people have access to impactful mentoring experiences that empower them for success in school, life, and career. The investment aligns with the mentoring organization’s strategic plan and vision, which include plans to expand the program, providing more positive mentorship opportunities to kids in underserved communities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota’s Board President, Alex Schoephoerster, says, “This generous gift helps kick start our $10 million endowment campaign seeking to solidify the sustainability of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota for many generations. We have a long way to go, but with Ms. Scott’s support and the support of all our donors, we have never been more confident in our determination and capacity to ignite and defend the power and potential of our youth.”
Nationwide, 38 independent affiliates and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America received a total of $122.6 million in gifts from Scott.
Schoephoerster continues, “As a Big, I’m a beneficiary of the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters and am fortunate to see firsthand the difference it can make in the lives of Bigs and Littles alike.”
The mentoring organization invites more people and partners to join in transforming mentorship for young people.
To get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, visit BigDefenders.org or call 320-253-1616.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, established in 1969, creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Contact Information:
Jackie Johnson, Executive Director, (320) 258-4510, Jackie@BigDefenders.org
Alex Schoephoerster, President, Board of Directors, 320-654-4580, alex.schoephoerster@lawmoss.com
Please visit our website at BigDefenders.org