Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 middle school, high school, and college campuses across the country and internationally.

In addition to the traditional campus-based volunteer activities, and for those with limited personal time, Best Buddies helps people with intellectual disabilities connect with others through technology with its online friendship program, e-Buddies.

Even though Best Buddies has grown tremendously in its short existence, most of the country still lacks programs to help people with intellectual disabilities become a part of mainstream society. Our goal is to bring Best Buddies to every corner of the United States and every corner of the world, making Best Buddies programs active in every community and on every middle school, high school, and college campus.

Our six formal programs Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e -Buddies® and Jobs will positively impact more than 400,000 individuals this year. Best Buddies also is systematically implementing a 2010 initiative that will witness the organization's continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute services to the community that equate to more than $70 million USD..

Please visit our website www.bestbuddies.org for more information.

Where the Money Goes

Contributions to Best Buddies are judiciously spent, with the majority of these funds directly applied to the enrichment of the organization's programs. Our total annual budget demonstrates that 89% of all monetary contributions are allocated to one of Best Buddies six programmatic divisions that directly integrates people with intellectual disabilities. 

Every Donation Makes a Difference: No matter what size, a donation to Best Buddies can change a life.       

$8,500	Secures a job for a person with intellectual disabilities.
$7,500	Funds a High School or College Chapter
$6,500	Funds a Middle School Chapter Chapter
$2,000	Sponsors a Citizens Buddy Pair
$1,000	Funds a student to attend our Student Leadership Conference
$500	Sponsors an online e-Buddies Pair Conference
$300:	Supports a High School Chapter Training
$150:	Sponsors a campus-based Buddy Pair

Parent Testimony: "My daughter, Lauren Hammond, age 21, has been involved with Best Buddies for about eight years. She has Asperger's Syndrome. As parents of this special girl, we are most grateful to all of the young men and women who are buddies to people like our daughter. You may never know the true value of the time that you have so generously given to these kids...but we know. The lives of all involved in this program are enriched, including ours." - Lori Hammond