Fact Sheet: Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Who We Are: For more than a century, Clubs have helped put young people on the path to great futures. Boys & Girls Clubs of America's mission is:

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

BGCA leads a federation of more than 1,100 independent organizations across the country.

3,954 Chartered Clubs
- 1,265 in Schools
- 356 BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. Military Installations
- 316 in Public Housing
- 198 on Native American Lands

4.1 Million Youth Served Through Club Membership and Community Outreach
- Male - 55%
- Female - 45%

Ages
- 5 and under - 6%
- 6-10 - 43%
- 11-12 - 19%
- 13-15 - 20%
- 16 and older - 12%

Ethnicity of Youth Served
- Caucasian - 36%
- African-American - 28%
- Hispanic/Latino - 23%
- Multi-racial - 7%
- Asian-American - 3%
- Native American - 3%

Adult Staff and Volunteers
- Adult Professional Staff - 50,000
- Program Volunteers - 199,000
- Board Members - 27,000

Total Movement-Wide Revenue
$1.49 billion (preliminary estimate)

What Makes a Boys & Girls Club Unique?

- Clubs are community-based and building-centered.
- Clubs provide a safe, affordable place for young people during non-school hours and during the summer.
- Clubs are led by paid, trained youth development professionals.

Birth of a Movement

The Boys & Girls Club Movement began in 1906 when 53 local Clubs banded together to form a national organization to provide unified leadership and garner support for Clubs. Since then, the Movement has expanded significantly, changing with the times to reflect the circumstances and issues facing young people. Today, Boys & Girls Clubs are renowned for their positive impact on America's youth.

- In its 2010 Philanthropy 400 report, The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked BGCA 18th among all nonprofit organizations and #1 among youth organizations for the 18th consecutive year.

- Forbes, SmartMoney, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report have all ranked BGCA among the top charitable organizations in America.

- According to a Harris Interactive survey, 57% of Boys & Girls Club alumni say the Club "saved my life."

- In 2009, BGCA was named one of America's top 10 nonprofits for the value and power of its brand by Cone, Inc., an international brand marketing leader.

How BGCA Serves Local Clubs

Through its headquarters in Atlanta, six Regional Service Centers and its Government Relations office in Washington, D.C., BGCA provides assistance and support to Clubs in:

- developing and testing new programs for youth;
- assisting with quality program planning and evaluation;
- helping community leaders establish new Clubs and expand existing ones;
- volunteer recruitment and staff development, compensation and benefits;
- facility design, renovation and construction;
- facility management and safety;
- fundraising, marketing and communications; and
- addressing legislative and public policy issues affecting youth.

Programs with Impact

To support Clubs in their efforts to deepen their positive impact on the young people they serve, Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers a framework for youth development and proven, nationally recognized programs that provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their dreams and succeed in life.

BGCA assists Clubs in helping youth advance in three primary outcome areas: academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. For a detailed listing of our programs, please visit bgca.org/programs.

Academic Success

Each year, three out of 10 high school students in America fail to graduate on time. As a result, the U.S. has one of the lowest high school graduation rates of any industrialized nation. Our vision is that every young person who enters the doors of a Club progresses from each grade to the next on time and graduates from high school with a solid plan for the future. BGCA programs in this area include:

- Power Hour, a homework help and tutoring program;
- Goals for Graduation, an academic goal-setting program;
- CareerLaunch®, which introduces young people to the world of work;
- Money Matters: Make it Count, a financial literacy program; and
- Club Tech, which teaches young people how to use technology.

Good Character and Citizenship

Youth who engage in community service tend to do better in school, avoid risky behaviors, and maintain positive relationships with adults and peers. Program offerings in this area include:

- Youth of the Year, which promotes and recognizes young people who have overcome tremendous obstacles, and excelled in academic performance and community service; and

- Leadership and service groups, such as Torch Clubs (for kids ages 11-13) and Keystone Clubs (for teens ages 14-18), that encourage young people to become leaders through service to their Club and community.

Healthy Lifestyles

Over the last 50 years, the childhood obesity rate has quadrupled. Today, three out of 10 young people are obese or overweight. In addition, an increasing number of young people are engaging in risky behaviors. BGCA helps Clubs put youth on the path to healthy and productive lives through programs such as:

- Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul, a holistic approach to educating youth about nutrition, physical fitness, and developing healthy relationships; and

- SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training), which helps young people resist drug use and premature sexual activity by enhancing their life skills, building their resiliency and strengthening leadership abilities.