4.01.2008 - 05:06pm ET

(CSRwire) PHILADELPHIA, PA - April 1, 2008 - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the largest youth-mentoring organization in the country, headquartered in Philadelphia, has named Nick Booth as its new vice president of philanthropy.

Booth brings more than twenty years of fund-raising experience to the organization. For the past ten years he has served as campaign director of the largest social service organization in Great Britain, The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Since 1996, Booth led its Full Stop Appeal, aimed at putting an end to child cruelty, raising over $540 million.

"We are thrilled that Nick Booth is joining our Executive Team," said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "I know that his strategic leadership and talent will enable us to have an even greater impact for young people at work in America's communities. He has devoted his career to protect children."

As vice president of philanthropy, Booth will be responsible for the nationwide fundraising strategy for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He will lead a team of fundraisers to develop the fund development operation and strengthen and sustain relationships with donors in order to maximize the mentoring programs of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

Booth is also a board volunteer of the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child, a worldwide communication project that works to strengthen the voices of young people and fights for the rights of children around the globe.

"After 20 years of working closely with children's issues in the U.K., I am delighted to come to the United States and join Big Brothers Big Sisters," Booth said. "This is a land with a great culture of philanthropy and of helping children. I'm excited to begin this new challenge and to be given the chance to be part of an organization dedicated to changing what it means to grow up in America."

He and his family will be moving to the Philadelphia area from London.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters, BigBrothersBigSisters.org, is the largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. With nearly 400 affiliates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, it served 255,000 children in 2007 - more than twice the number of five years ago. Independent research shows that its model of professionally supported one-to-one relationships between young people and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters has a measurable, positive impact. Children in the program are less likely to skip school, begin using alcohol and illegal drugs, and be involved in violence. Big Brothers Big Sisters works with policymakers and community leaders across the country to expand access to mentoring for children in need. The organization is currently focusing on recruiting Big Brothers, especially African-Americans and Hispanics.

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