PNC Foundation awards $100,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters for new group mentoring program in West Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 8, 2025) — The PNC Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana (BBBSKY) to support a new group mentoring program at the Goodwill Opportunity Center in West Louisville.
The new program, Big Group at the Goodwill Opportunity Center, connects volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) with middle school youth (“Littles”) in facilitated group settings. Sessions are designed to equip Littles with skills to fuel their personal and academic growth, with a focus on the pillars of Identity, Entertainment, Social Entrepreneurship and Cultivating Life Skills.
The launch of Big Group at the Goodwill Opportunity Center builds on the success of BBBSKY’s group mentoring program, which was established in collaboration with Jefferson County Public Schools in 2024 to help reach young people on the waitlist for a one-to-one mentor. By bringing group mentoring to the Goodwill Opportunity Center, BBBSKY can maximize its reach while delivering on the West Louisville community’s significant interest in mentoring resources.
“We are always looking to innovate our mentoring programs to meet the needs of the youth and families we serve,” said Gary Friedman, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana. “This PNC Foundation grant empowered us to expand our ability to mentor more middle schoolers through our Big Group program.”
As the premier youth mentoring organization in Kentuckiana, BBBSKY serves youth and young adults ages 7-25 through meaningful, monitored mentorship matches. These relationships can lead to positive long-term outcomes, including social and economic growth, academic success and mental well-being.
“All of us at PNC believe that investing in young people is an investment in the future of our community and economy,” said Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president for Kentucky. “PNC’s support for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ work in West Louisville reflects our commitment to workforce development and economic mobility. By empowering the next generation with mentorship and life skills, we are helping build a stronger future for our region and business landscape.”
An economic impact study conducted by Harvard University and the U.S. Treasury Department, released earlier this year, reveals how mentoring programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters have a tangible impact on employment rates, educational success and financial well-being. The study shows that mentored youth:
• are 20% more likely to enroll in college after high school graduation;
• enter the workforce earning more than their non-mentored peers, and experience 15% higher income between the ages of 20 and 25; and
• exhibit improved behaviors and stronger social bonds, leading to a reduced dependency on social services and long-term societal improvements.
“We have over 600 young people waiting for a one-to-one mentor,” said Lisa Powell, chief program officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana. “This generous grant from the PNC Foundation allows us to serve them as they wait to be matched with a mentor, giving more youth the opportunity to build relationships that foster confidence, career readiness and long-term success.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently celebrating Match Madness, a monthlong push to recruit mentors. To learn how to become a Big, visit our Be a Big page.