In 1904, Ernest Coulter, a New York City Court Clerk, realized the need to help children involved in the court system. He challenged forty businessmen to step forward and mentor these children and to care “whether they lived or died”. All forty men volunteered thereby beginning Big Brothers in 1904. The Big Brothers Big Sisters model of one-to-one, professionally supported mentoring is still among society's best approaches to reaching and helping at-risk youth.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is one of 471 affiliate agencies located in all states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota was incorporated in 1969 through the sponsorship of area service organizations to serve children who were in need of an adult mentor and friend to encourage them reach their potential. We currently serve children in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Morrison counties. Services include Community-Based Mentoring, School-Based Mentoring, and Site-Based Mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota has been recognized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as one of the top three agencies for two years in a row.