OBAA Winner Spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara

Category: Non-Profit of the Year Award Winner
Website: niagara.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Award sponsor/presenter smiling with the winner of the Non-Profit of the year award at the 2025 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards
Left to right: Nour Hage, Owner of Civiconnect, Erin Graybiel, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara

We’re proud to highlight Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara as the winner of the Non-Profit of the Year award at the 2025 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. This award acknowledges and celebrates Non-Profit entities that have displayed outstanding best practices, along with a significant positive impact on our community. The winner of the Non-Profit of the Year award becomes the annual non-profit recipient of all Chamber fundraising events of the year.

About BBBSN

For nearly nine decades, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been creating opportunities for children and youth across Niagara through the power of mentorship. These one-to-one relationships offer young people a chance to feel seen, heard, and supported, and for many, that connection becomes a turning point in their lives.

With the encouragement of a trusted mentor, kids build confidence, develop strong social skills, and gain tools to face life’s ups and downs.

In 2024, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara has supported over 1,060 young people and countless more families through our programs. But the need continues to grow.

Young girl smiling at her mentor
Young boy skateboarding with his mentor

Achievements and Highlights

Stronger services and expanded access across Niagara

After becoming a Niagara-wide agency, BBBSN focused on understanding the needs of all 12 municipalities. This helped them strengthen their operations and expand access to both one to one and group mentoring, allowing more young people to receive support.

Growing partnerships and more engaged mentors

They deepened partnerships and built new ones, making it easier for families to access our programs. These collaborations, along with new funding, helped boost mentor participation and improve match sustainability while giving them room to pilot fresh ideas.

Better training and more support for youth and families

BBBSN expanded training for staff, mentors, and families, and increased support for young parents up to age 25. Their ongoing focus on equity and belonging ensures every young person feels valued and supported across the region.

Teen girl on a soccer field laughing with her mentor
Young boy on mentor's shoulders reaching to put a basketball in the net
Mentor smiling with his mentee on a baseball field
Young girl and mentor smiling into a mirror with painted hearts on it

Team Highlights

BBBSN is incredibly grateful for the caring and dedicated people who stand with them. Their team, volunteers, donors, and supporters make their mission possible each day. Their team’s commitment and belief in young people’s potential make everything they do possible.

Bowl for Kids Sake

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara is getting ready for one of their most fun community fundraisers, Bowl for Kids Sake. Registration is now open!

This year’s theme is Dream BIG. They invite everyone to gather their team and join them for a pajama party themed bowling night that celebrates young peoples potential, community spirit, and supports mentorship across Niagara.

When: February 25 and February 28, 2026

Where: Parkway Social

Why we're celebrating them

The Outstanding Business Achievement Awards shine a light on organizations that make a meaningful impact in our region. As our 2025 Non-Profit of the Year winner, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara stands out for their dedication to mentorship, community support, and positive youth development.

Their work strengthens our community every day, and we’re honoured to recognize and celebrate their achievements.

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