Volunteer Application

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We are so excited you’re applying to be a volunteer mentor for Twin Cities youth! Once you complete this application, our team will contact you to set up a one-on-one interview. If you have any questions along the way, please send us an email at volunteers@bigstwincities.org. Can’t wait to meet you, future Big! 💚

Please select one volunteer opportunity that interests you the most. (Review each description to get familiar with our youth mentoring opportunities before applying, as each has unique requirements and formats).

Sports Buddies – (Check the box if interested!) This group of Community-Based Matches gathers monthly to participate in sports and group activities. Participants include male-identifying or non-binary Bigs matched with male-identifying or non-binary Littles (youth ages 10–14). Open Gyms take place on the second Monday of each month from 5:30–7:30 PM at the Harold Mezile North Community YMCA in North Minneapolis.

Program Requirements

To avoid delays in your enrollment, please review the eligibility requirements. To learn more about the volunteer experience, please visit our Volunteer page. If you have questions or aren't sure which program is the best fit, contact our Recruitment Team at volunteers@bigstwincities.org.

Community-Based Mentoring Requirements

Join a community of mentors dedicated to helping Twin Cities youth grow, dream, and succeed. Community-Based Mentoring is an independent mentoring experience that is our most popular and flexible scheduling option. We invite caring adults (Bigs) to invest in youth ages 8–13 (Littles) by building lasting one-to-one friendships. Together, you and your Little will explore the community, share new experiences, and create memories that inspire confidence and possibility. Mentors can join individually or as a "Big Couple" with a spouse or partner.

19 years of age or older
Minimum 1-year commitment from the time you are matched with a Little
Connect with your partnered Little 2-4 times each month
Communicate consistently with the Little’s Caregiver to plan outings and understand their hopes for the match
Have reliable access to a car to transport your Little to and from match outings

If you have concerns about not meeting any of the requirements above, please contact the Recruitment Team before applying for this volunteer opportunity.

In School Mentoring Requirements

Join a community of mentors dedicated to helping Twin Cities youth grow, dream, and succeed. Through In-School Mentoring, caring adults (Bigs) meet with youth (Littles) at their school—typically during the lunch hour (11–12 PM or 12–1 PM)—to build supportive, one-to-one relationships. Matches share a meal, talk, play games, and engage in activities that spark confidence. Mentors also help youth explore their interests, set goals, and encourage them to build on their strengths.

Timeline: September - May

18 years of age or older
Commit to at least one full school year (September–May)
Be able to volunteer at either Marcy-Holmes Elementary (NE MPLS) or Weaver Elementary (Maplewood)
Available to meet 2 - 4x per month for 30-60min at a time

Free Arts Mentor Program Requirements

Join a community of mentors who explore creativity alongside Twin Cities youth, fostering self-expression and confidence through the arts. In our Free Arts program, we partner with 15-20 sites in the Twin Cities metro area to engage youth groups of various sizes (10-30). Come ready to explore, create, and connect with youth through shared arts and crafts experiences.

16 years of age or older
Commit to one term (3 months/12 weeks) in the Fall, Spring or Summer
Willing to work with a team of 2-4 other volunteers

Grad Coach Mentor Requirements

Join a community of mentors dedicated to helping Twin Cities youth grow, dream, and succeed. In our Grad Coach mentoring program, caring adults (Bigs) pair with high school students (grades 9–12) to provide encouragement, perspective, and guidance. You’ll connect with a small group of students (3-4) during lunch twice a month throughout the school year. This is not a tutoring role—the focus is on building relationships, helping students navigate high school, and exploring their goals for what comes next. Academic support may come up and is addressed on a case-by-case basis. Timeline: September - May

19 years of age or older
Commit to at least one full school year (September–May)
Available to meet bi-weekly from 12–1 p.m. on a Tuesday or Thursday at HOPE Community Academy in Saint Paul.
Attend a pre-volunteer training organized by the Big Futures Team

Contact Information

Legal First Name

Preferred Name/Nickname

Last Name

Date of Birth

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

County of Residence

Preferred Contact Method

Personal Information

In an effort to be as inclusive as possible and reach out to potential volunteers in all areas of the Twin Cities, we would welcome you to share your background to the extent you are comfortable in the questions below.

Racial Identity

Specify Racial Identity

Gender Identity

Specify Gender Identity

Pronouns

Specify Pronouns

Do you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?

Additional Languages Spoken:

Please provide insight into the other language(s) you speak:

Some of our families need volunteers that are fluent in Spanish, Hmong, and ASL. To help us gauge your fluency level, would you be able to communicate in your stated secondary language with a Little’s parent/guardian about difficult topics? For example, could you fluently share concerns you have that your Little is being bullied in school and ask for parent/guardian's input on how you can work together to best support them?

Relationship Status

Military Service

Have you ever applied before to be (or have you been) a Big Brother or Big Sister?

Were you a former Big/Little?

If yes, where and when?

Occupation

College Students: please select "Student: College"

College Students: please select "Student: College" for occupation.

Do you have access to a car you could drive to/from match visits? Please note a car is not required for school mentors.

YesNo

Employer Availability

Employer

Job Title

Company Address

Company City

Company State

Company Postal Code

Many area employers are corporate partners with BBBS and wish to recognize and support the volunteer contributions made by their staff. This corporate support is an essential part of BBBS agency funding. I hereby give permission for BBBS to share with my employer that I am volunteering as a Big Brother/Big Sister. This consent will apply to my current or future employers, unless I notify BBBS in writing. This consent will expire upon my giving written notification to BBBS.

College Student Availability

College:

If your college is not listed, please specify college name:

When can you start volunteering?

Are you planning to study abroad?

YesNo

If yes, please share additional details about when you plan to go:

Are you a current or former Page Scholar?

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Media Release

I hereby give my permission for BBBS to use identifying information (full name, photograph,match profile information) about me now, and in the future, for agency publications, media productions, promotional materials, and online social networking media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc). This publication consent will expire upon my giving written notification to BBBS. This revocation will not apply to existing publications or productions in stock for distribution. Last names of minors (Littles or High-School Bigs) will not be used in any BBBS publication without further written or verbal consent by the minor’s parent or legal guardian. (Please note BBBS encourages other media entities to abide by this policy, but ultimately, BBBS is not responsible for external publicity.)

Consent and Permission

At Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities (BBBSTC), we care about your privacy. This overview explains how we collect, use, and protect information about you if you are part of one of our programs.

You can read the BBBSTC full privacy policy here: https://www.bigstwincities.org/privacy-policy/.
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What We Collect

• Your name and contact information – like your phone number, email, or address.

• Information for matching – like age, gender, race, religion, school, interests, family, and who you live with.

• Messages you send us – like emails or notes you give to staff.

• Your opinions – like answers to surveys or feedback you give.

We collect information to help match you with a Big or Little, run our programs, and keep everyone safe.
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How We Use Your Information

• Help match Bigs and Littles

• Support matches

• Answer questions and talk with you

• Make our programs better for everyone

• Keep our programs safe and follow the law

• Ask for your thoughts through surveys or check-ins

• Let you know if something important changes

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Who Might See Your Information

We do not sell your information. But we may share it with trusted people or groups who help us run our programs, including:

• BBBSTC staff and trained volunteers

• The national Big Brothers Big Sisters office

• Trusted partners who help us with things like technology, research, or surveys

• Board members, when needed and approved

• Law enforcement or child protection agencies if someone is in danger

• Government agencies when required by law

We only share what is needed and only when it helps keep our program running safely and effectively.

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Keeping Your Information Safe

We use secure systems to protect your information. We take steps to keep it private and safe. But no system is perfect, especially when sending things online. We do our best to protect you.
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Your Rights and Choices

You can ask us:

• What information we have about you

• To correct something if it's wrong

• To stop sending you updates or surveys

If you have questions or want to make a change, we’re here to help at thinkbig@bigstwincities.org

By checking the box below, you are confirming that:

You understand that any references may be contacted by mail, telephone, or email.
You are in no way obligated to perform any volunteer service.
The information provided may be used to conduct a background check, to include driving record check, criminal background check and other records where required by local, state or federal law for volunteers working with youth.
BBBS is not obligated to match me with a young person; and as part of the enrollment process, BBBS will ask me to provide additional personal information prior to making any recommendations for acceptance.

I have read the terms above and agree

Type Signature Here:

Make a Referral!

Do you know anyone who might be interested in volunteering in our programs? If you would like to refer them to us, please provide name(s) and contact information:

First Name

Last Name

Phone

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