Fundraising Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

• Set your fundraising goal and aim high! Individual bowlers are asked to raise a minimum of $100 each, $500 total for your team.
• If you've participated in BFKS before, reach out to your former donors and teammates for their support!
• Track your fundraising progress on your personal participant home page. Check the team and individual leaderboards to see the top participants in your region.
• Use Social Media! Share your personalized fundraising page on your Facebook page or other social media platforms!
• Spread the word! Send an email to family, friends, co-workers, etc. to raise funds or recruit others to join or form a team.
• Ask your employer if they will match your personal contribution or if they will support your fundraising efforts or sponsor your team! BFKS is a great team-building activity!
• Aim for donations of $20 or more! Remember- just 5 donations at this level gets you to your minimum goal!
• Get creative in your fundraising- host a bake sale or yard sale and put the proceeds towards your goal.
• Remember the mission! Make sure that your potential supporters know that the funds they contribute stay in your local area to serve children in your very own community. Littles who participate in the BBBS program are more likely to graduate high school, have higher self-esteem, and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.

What Is Big Brothers Big Sisters?

For nearly 120 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles), ages 5 through 18. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters targets the children who need us most, including those living in single-parent homes, growing up in poverty, and coping with parental incarceration. Children in our program have been shown to have higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoidance of risky behavior, and educational success.

What Is Bowl for Kids’ Sake?

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signature fundraiser. Each year half a million people across America come together to have fun and raise money to support Big Brothers Big Sisters as we change how children grow up! Bowl for Kids’ Sake is the perfect way for individuals to make an impact on their community – it only takes a little bit of effort to raise the money that is vital to our program’s success. As a “thank you” for their support and enthusiasm, we host a celebratory party at a local bowling center. No bowling expertise is required, only the willingness to share in our heartfelt and sincere thanks for helping us transform our community.

How does bowling help Big Brothers Big Sisters?

We depend on the money raised from Bowl for Kids' Sake to carry out the work of carefully matching children with caring adult mentors and providing ongoing support to the child, volunteer mentor, and child's family.

Where Does the Money Go?

Thanks to our corporate sponsors, 100% of donations go directly to help serve local children. Big Brothers Big Sisters depends on donations to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety, and provides ongoing support for children, families, and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships.