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ATLANTA— Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) has received a $5 million, three-year investment from The Marcus Foundation to expand Level Up, its school-based mentoring program serving middle school students across metro Atlanta.
The investment will help BBBSMA double Level Up’s annual reach from approximately 1,250 students today to 2,500 students by the 2028–29 school year. Funding will support expansion into added middle schools, the hiring of more mentors and the continued delivery of consistent, relationship-based support for students during a critical stage of their development.
Level Up provides trained, full-time mentors, known as Lead Mentors, directly in partner middle schools. Working alongside teachers, counselors and school administrators, these mentors provide structured mentoring sessions, individualized student engagement and support focused on social-emotional development, decision-making and future planning.
The program is already producing measurable results across partner schools, BBBSMA said. Data shows chronic absenteeism reductions of 27% to 58% across multiple school sites. At Lithonia Middle School,sixth-grade students taking part in Level Up experienced behavioral incidents at less than half the rate of their nonparticipating peers. Additionally, 92% of participating students report having a trusted adult in their support network.
“Every young person deserves someone who believes in their potential and shows up for them consistently,” Kwame Johnson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, said. “Through Level Up, we're seeing the impact of mentorship in schools—better attendance, stronger connections and brighter futures.”
“This investment from The Marcus Foundation will allow us to build on that success and reach thousands more students across metro Atlanta. Since launching in 2022, Level Up has grown in response to demand from schools seeking additional support for student attendance, behavior, engagement, and emotional well-being. The program currently runs in six middle schools across Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County School District and Clayton County Public Schools.”
The Marcus Foundation’s investment will support a phased expansion over three years, with annual participation projected to grow to approximately 1,600 students in the 2026–27 school year and 1,800 in 2027–28 before reaching 2,500 students in 2028–29, officials said. BBBSMA will expand existing school partnerships and establish new ones, prioritizing schools with high student needs and strong leadership commitment, officials said.
The investment builds on The Marcus Foundation’s early support, which helped BBBSMA pilot and refine the Level Up model. Continued investment from school districts, corporations, foundations, government partners, and individual donors has helped prove the program as a scalable approach to school-based mentoring.
As Level Up grows, BBBSMA will continue working with school and district partners to strengthen the program’s long-term sustainability while keeping the quality of mentoring relationships at the heart of its work.