As you know, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington has been struggling financially for a number of months. Unfortunately, our recent efforts - an appeal to the community, aggressively applying for grants and an added event - have not been enough.
On behalf of the BBBS-NW Board of Directors, it is with deep regret and sadness that we report Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is closing. We wanted you to know before the press release goes out tomorrow.
Since 1976, BBBS-NW has supported children to stay in school, graduate from high school, make positive choices, and strengthen relationships with their families.
BBBS-NW has had a long and varied history. We have served, at different times, just Whatcom County and both Whatcom and Skagit counties. We had many profitable years with Bingo which allowed us to financially support and fund other local non-profits. We have earned numerous awards over the years, most recently as the Whatcom Chamber of Commerce's Non-Profit of the Year in 2011.
And there have been challenges, especially after the closing of Bingo in 2002. Since then we have struggled to find a consistent, reliable funding stream. Some Federal grants have seen us through some lean times, but, since the economic downturn, those funds have dried up as well. Even with the merger we were pursuing, we can say with assurance that our funding model cannot sustain us.
And so, with grateful hearts to you for your years of continued support and commitment, it is time for us to close our doors, effective September 30, 2013.
A quote that has appeared in many of our event programs and newsletters over the years says, "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world." Your generosity and support over the years has meant the world to us. We can't thank you enough for trusting us and enabling us to give the children of our community that one person who meant the world to them.
