BECOMING A BIG IS EASY
Most children and families served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are facing increased anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentoring relationships protect against the harmful effects of stress and build resilience among children. In response, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay has completely reoriented our programming to virtually facilitate these life-changing relationships that ignite the potential of youth in our community.
Join us as a defender of potential by becoming a mentor (Big). All it takes is 4-8 hours a month, depending on the program, with a focus on being consistent and spending one-to-one quality time with your mentee (Little). The first step is to attend a Big Orientation & Training session, where you’ll learn about our programs, commitments, expectations, and the kids we serve. Let’s clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future.
Orientation and Training schedule in your county
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BIG PROGRAMS
We understand that your time is valuable, so we’ve created two unique programs to become a Big in your community. Learn more about our Site and Community based programs to fit within your needs below.
SITE-BASED
COMMUNITY
- Big Couple: where a committed couple can mentor a Little Brother together, sharing the responsibilities and commitments while also serving as an example of a happy, healthy relationship.
- Sports Buddies: where we match a Big and a Little who share a love of playing and watching sports. We have great partnerships with our local teams and can often offer free tickets to our Sports Buddies.
- Foster care: where we match a volunteer mentor with a child who has been placed in foster care.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is committed to ensuring its programs are inclusive to all youth and volunteers. Equality, diversity and inclusiveness are critical components of our mission. We encourage volunteers of all sexual orientations, races, colors, religions, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, ages, national origins, disabilities, marital status or military status to get involved and become a defender of potential in our community. Together, let’s clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future.

After attending a Big Orientation & Training
you can begin your volunteer application!

STORIES OF IMPACT
Can’t be a Big? We can still use your help!
We are always in need of quality volunteer and Intern help. Please contact us if you are interested in spending a few hours pitching in on various projects & events. You can check our events calendar or contact Josh Hagg, JoshH@BBBSTampaBay.org, for details
Big Perks
In order to take advantage of BIG PERKS, an array of discounts given our Bigs and Littles through corporate partnerships, you will need to bring your Match ID card with you and present it at the time of purchase. Discounts are subject to change and participation may vary.
4 Rivers Smoke House
Astro Skate
Bet You Can’t Escape
Dinosaur World
Little Greek
MOSI – Museum of Science & Industry
Pin Chasers Midtown
Sky Zone
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA
TreeUmph
Wheel Fun
Airheads
Astro Skate
Clearwater Community Sailing Center
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Great Exploration Children’s Museum
Liberty Lanes
Little Greek
Sky Zone
Subway
Subway
Subway
Sunken Gardens
The James Museum
Wheel Fun
X-treme Fun Center
YMCA of the Suncoast
CiCi’s Pizza
Denny’s
Explorations V Children’s Museum
Family Fun Center
Little Greek
Palace Pizza
Sky Zone
Theatre Winter Haven
YMCA of West Central Florida
YMCA Par 3, Home of The First Tee of Lakeland
Sky Zone
YMCA of the Suncoast
Sky Zone
YMCA of the Suncoast
Chef It Up To Go
Florida Hospital Center Ice
Little Greek
North Corner Ranch
Sky Zone
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA
YMCA of the Suncoast
GatorWorld Parks of Florida
Sky Zone
FAQs
How much time does it take to be a Big?
4 to 8 hours a month, depending on the program. In our Site-Based program, you visit your Little for one hour each week during the school year, typically during his or her lunch hour. To realize all of the positive impacts our relationships can incur, we ask for a 12-month minimum commitment in this program. In our Community-Based program, we ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month, which typically equates to two outings each month taking your Little outside their home to engage in some type of activity, typically in the evenings or on weekends. We also offer a Sports Buddy program, which centers around watching and participating in sports, and a Big Couples option, where you and your spouse or significant other share the mentoring experience. We ask for a minimum 15-month commitment in all of our community-based programs.
What’s required to be a Big?
You must:
- Agree to honor the minimum commitment (12-15 months, depending on the program) and have the time each week/month to see your Little.
- Successfully pass a Level 2 background check (including fingerprints and driving record.) There is no cost to applicants for the background check.
- Have a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and appropriate transportation for children (for Community-Based volunteers.) For Site-Based you must have reliable transportation to get to your mentoring site even in inclement weather.
- Present a Social Security card or W2 tax form.
- Complete the enrollment process, which includes attending an Orientation & Training session (for the schedule in your county, got to bbbstampabay.org and follow the “Be A Big” links). At the end of the orientation, you will be asked to complete an application (including three references). Approximately a week later you will be asked to participate in a one-on-one personal interview.
What kind of kids do we help?
We initially match children between the ages of 5 and 13 (although once matched they remain in the program through high school graduation). Most of our Littles come from families living below the federal poverty line, while many come from single-parent homes, or have a parent incarcerated or a parent in the military who is deployed elsewhere. We work hard to match you with a child within 15 minutes of where you live that shares your interests and hobbies.
Will I have help?
Absolutely. Every Big and Little “match” is assigned to work with one of our professional staff members, called a Match Support Specialist, who is there to help you overcome any challenges, answer any questions, help you with ideas on match outings and otherwise support the match in any way possible. We host many events for our matches that are free to attend, and we will work with you to help develop skills to become a more effective mentor.
So what is the first step?
Check out the Orientation & Training schedule for your county and just show up. No RSVP required. You’ll learn all about our programs, commitments, expectations and our kids.