TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring organization, announced today that it is relocating its national headquarters from Dallas, Texas to Tampa, Florida. The transition will begin immediately with operations fully effective by March 2015.
BBBSA President and CEO and former Mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio, recently committed to leading the organization through 2019. After this decision, BBBSA’s leadership determined that the Tampa Bay relocation allows BBBSA to fully capitalize on Iorio's strengths and provides a lasting location for the organization to grow.
“By relocating to Tampa, the national headquarters will undoubtedly grow and prosper in our positive business and philanthropic climate,” said Pam Iorio, president and CEO. “This is our new and permanent home that will reinvigorate our national organization for decades to come.”
The move brings job creation to Tampa Bay as well as increased national exposure. Board members, affiliate CEOs and staff will travel to Tampa for meetings and conferences – creating ongoing national exposure for our region with increased visitors and hotel occupancy.
“This decision positions Tampa as the epicenter of a national organization with a strong brand-name and rich history,” said Dr. Ronald Vaughn, Chairman of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and President of the University of Tampa. “Influential board members, donors and affiliate organizations will convene in Tampa from around the globe to reinvigorate Big Brothers Big Sisters and chart its future. This announcement underscores the desirability of Hillsborough County as a national headquarter location for corporations and nonprofit organizations and we thank former Mayor Pam Iorio for her leadership in bringing this deal home.”
The enthusiasm over the relocation of BBBSA to Tampa Bay has already been demonstrated by the following donations: Five years of Class A office space was donated by Parkway Properties for the national headquarters in the Westshore Business District, The Beck Group donated the office space build out, and ROF donated design services and furniture. Further, an anonymous Tampa donor has agreed to pay any moving expenses.
“Tampa has a philanthropic spirit and embraces organizations that create impactful change,” said Liz Smith, chairman of the board and CEO for Bloomin’ Brands and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America board member. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has a proven impact in this region that will grow as the national organization relocates to Tampa.”
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children ("Littles") with screened volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 110-year history. With 331 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 200,000 children, their families and 200,000 volunteer mentors. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.
