Fundraising Events

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City holds several fundraising events each year, some for specific industries (such as banking, accounting and real estate) and others for our volunteers, donors and the general public. Each is successful as measured by attendance, sponsor and participant feedback, media coverage and revenue. Single event sponsorship and multiple event sponsorship packages are available.

Sidewalks of NY Annual Awards Dinner

This is Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC’s signature fundraising event, held annually in April at the Waldorf-Astoria. Major corporations purchase tables at this wonderful gala made unique by the children in our mentoring programs and their mentors who share their compelling stories and present all the awards. Emceed by a seasoned media professional, the event’s honorees include accomplished, high profile individuals from the media, corporate and sports worlds.

Race for the Kids Run/Walk

BBBS of NYC’s annual Race for the Kids Run/Walk, held in Riverside Park on Manhattan’s beautiful Upper West Side, garners over $1 million in donated media coverage and attracts more than 3,500 participants. At the Race and picnic that follows, the disadvantaged children served by our organization are joined by their mentors and families, our many other adult volunteers and caring New Yorkers for a fun-filled day that celebrates the true power of mentoring and emphasizes the importance of health and fitness. This event takes place on the last Saturday in September.

Big Night Out

Our Young Professionals Committee’s annual black tie fundraiser, this evening event includes dancing to music from a live DJ, casino games, poker tournament, dinner, drinks, gift bags and a silent auction. Big Night Out is held annually in February at Cipriani and attracts over 900 successful young working professional men and women who live and work throughout the New York Metropolitan Area.

Gridiron Games

Held in Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands in November each year, this exciting day has two parts. In the morning, children in our programs and their mentors experience the coveted opportunity to play football on the stadium field, meet NFL players, tour the locker rooms, and enjoy a catered lunch in the stadium press box. In the afternoon, teams of top NYC law firms compete for a trophy in a friendly touch football tournament. Sponsorship opportunities with attractive benefits are available for both the morning and afternoon sessions.

Casino Jazz Night Real Estate Dinner

Honoring select members of New York City’s real estate industry for their philanthropic contributions, this popular summer event is attended by the “movers and shakers” in the commercial real estate and finance industries. Guests are treated to the classic drinks and dishes that can only be found at the world-renowned Cipriani 42nd Street, while enjoying blackjack, craps, poker, roulette and other casino games.

Accountants & Bankers Reception

This annual event, held at the Harmonie Club, honors one accountant and one banker with outstanding professional reputations who serve the community with distinction. Executives from various industries, including fashion, law, and finance, attend to network as well as support and thank the leaders in the accounting and banking world.

For more information, or to sponsor these events, please contact Associate Director of Development.

Special Agency Events

To engage, support and demonstrate appreciation for our volunteers, children and their families, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City hosts a variety of events and activities. Many are designed to foster the mentoring relationship between Bigs and Littles. All are available for sponsor support.

Annual Halloween Party

BBBS of NYC’s annual costume party provides a fun, safe environment where our many volunteers, children and their families enjoy spooky decorations, festive arts and crafts, games, contests, food, beverages and goody bags filled with treats.

Annual 12 and Under Holiday Party

In December, BBBS of NYC hosts a popular party to celebrate the many children, families and volunteers it serves throughout the year. All of our children ages 12 and under, their families and mentors attend this fun event to play holiday games, do arts and crafts, visit with Santa, receive gifts, enjoy food and beverages and interact with each other. Each year, as our many youth mentoring programs continue to grow, it becomes more and more challenging for BBBS of NYC to host this holiday event without financial support.

Annual Teen Holiday Party

This chaperoned event is a fun evening for the many teens in our mentoring programs. At the event, they can celebrate the holidays safely with catered food, dancing to music played by a live DJ, raffles, and gift bags. Each year, as our many youth mentoring programs continue to grow, it becomes more and more challenging for BBBS of NYC to host this holiday event without financial support. Further, our partnerships with Toys for Tots, charitable individuals and corporations often yield presents only for younger children; obtaining age-appropriate gifts for our teens is an ongoing challenge.

Annual Wilderness Weekend

This annual BBBS of NYC camping trip is a fun, bonding activity for our mentors and the children in our mentoring programs, many of whom have never traveled beyond their urban neighborhoods. The adventure includes hiking, caving, camping, canoeing, rope courses, making ‘smores and telling ghost stories by the campfire, as well as all meals and transportation.

Waiting List Trips

While children in need wait to be matched with the right mentors, BBBS of NYC hosts a variety of fun, recreational, cultural and educational group activities so they can become part of the BBBS of NYC family even before they experience the power of the mentoring relationship. Activities include visits to museums, the Bronx Zoo and Chelsea Piers, tours of college campuses, and special seminars on relevant topics.

Annual Trip to Six Flags Great Adventure

A memorable midsummer day for hundreds of disadvantaged children and families served by our East New York Family Care and Mentoring Center and enrolled in our Juvenile Justice Mentoring Programs, this annual BBBS of NYC trip includes park tickets, chartered buses, meals and fun for everyone.

Prison Field Trips

Created by correctional facility inmates and officials, the Youth Assistance Program aims to prevent youth delinquency, drug use, crime and arrest. As a participant in this innovative program, BBBS of NYC chaperones field trips for the troubled teens in its mentoring programs to maximum security prisons where inmates share their personal experiences though presentations, skits, testimonials and roundtable discussions. Our youth tour prison blocks and are served prison meals to expose them to real prison life. The curriculum for these safe, educational trips includes straight talk about life behind bars; the ugly truth about gangs, guns, violence, drugs, and peer pressure; decision making and consequences; and the importance of education and family. BBBS of NYC schedules several trips each year.

Annual Bowling Outing

A fun local excursion for our children and their mentors, bowling is a great bonding activity that can “level the playing field” by giving children the opportunity to witness their mentors struggle at something and realize that no one is perfect. Trips include dinner as well as school bus, bowling lane and shoe rentals.

For more information or to sponsors these events, please contact Senior Director of Development.

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