Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton at risk of closing its doors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton is in desperate need to raise $90,000 in the next few months or else they will have to close their doors.

After consecutive years of declining revenue, the Board of Directors has decided that without a significant investment from the public sector, private sector and the community, the agency will have to shut down.

“Ninety per cent of our budget is fundraising, so there’s a misconception that we’re heavily funded by the provincial government or any type of government.  Government income represents less that 10 per cent of our income and that hasn’t changed since 1985,” said executive director, Peter MacDonald.

In the last three years, the number of children served has more than doubled.  The revenue from fundraising events has not kept up with the costs of running programs.  The demand for the services from the community has far exceeded their financial capacity to provide them.

The organization is asking government to increase its funding from $24,000 to $54,000 per year, which represents roughly 25 per cent of their annual budget.

“It costs us $1,200 to support a match over the course of a year,” MacDonald said.

For more information or to donate, you can contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton at (506) 857-3047 or visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/moncton.