New research from Harvard, U.S. Department of Treasury highlights long-term impacts of youth mentorship
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2025) — Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) – the preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the United States – released a groundbreaking study on the transformative power of mentorship in shaping young people’s educational, economic, and social trajectories.
Conducted by leading researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Treasury, this first-of-its-kind study reveals how mentorship programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters can serve as a scalable solution to reduce socioeconomic disparities over time.
This new research, rooted in three decades of data, provides compelling evidence that mentorship delivers long-lasting benefits:
Increased Earnings: Participants experienced a 20% boost in earnings between the ages of 20 and 25, reflecting enhanced economic mobility
The income of mentored youth as adults was more closely aligned with the income of their mentor than their family, helping to reduce the socioeconomic gap by two-thirds
Higher College Attendance: Mentored youth are 10% more likely to attend college compared to non-mentored peers
Improved Behavior: Within 18 months, mentored youth reported lower absenteeism and fewer school suspensions
Healthier Social Outcomes: Mentored youth exhibit improved behaviors and stronger social bonds, leading to a reduced dependency on social services and long-term societal improvements
“This research makes clear the importance of mentorship as a transformative, preventative tool to improve lives on the individual, community-wide, and economic levels,” said Gary Friedman, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana (BBBSKY). “Investing in mentorship programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters contributes to a more skilled and competitive workforce and adds value to our economy—all through the growing, fundamental need for connection between adults and young people. This research reinforces our commitment to expanding access to quality mentoring relationships in Louisville and throughout Kentuckiana that can help every young person reach their full potential.”
These findings come at a critical time for youth and families in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Lagging high school graduation rates, companies facing growing talent shortages, and persistent socioeconomic hurdles continue to strain communities and systems. As the premiere mentoring organization in Kentuckiana, BBBSKY is proud to connect adult volunteers with their mentoring mission to help close the opportunity gap.
While previous studies suggest youth must fully change their social environment to increase economic opportunity, this study is the first to identify community mentorship as a low-cost solution that offers the same results. With BBBS programming costs at approximately $2,500 per year per youth, the increased lifetime earnings of mentored youth and related tax revenue would allow the government to recoup costs within just seven years, making it one of the most cost-effective youth interventions.
"This landmark study validates what we've witnessed for over a century – mentorship is a powerful catalyst for breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting socioeconomic change. The data clearly shows that connecting young people with caring mentors doesn't just transform individual lives; it's one of the most cost-effective investments we can make in our country's future," said Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
The research builds upon a landmark 1991 randomized control trial (RCT) conducted by Public/Private Ventures and Mathematica Policy Research, extending the analysis into the 2020s by linking administrative data from BBBS to U.S. tax records. This robust approach provides unprecedented insight into the lifelong impacts of mentorship on education, employment, and social identity.
The study focuses on matched youth between the ages of 10 and 14 who applied to a BBBS community-based mentoring program in the early 1990s. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, with 60% being male and more than half identifying as racial minorities. Most participants lived in single-parent households or with guardians.
To learn more, visit bbbsky.org.