Best Buddies International

Best Buddies has eight formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Promoters, Citizens, Ambassadors, Jobs, and e-buddies. These programs offer participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to learn social skills and job training to be more included in society and to work on being independent. In addition, individuals are able to create true friendships with the people around them and have a sense of inclusion. Best Buddies Middle Schools Best Buddies Middle Schools promotes one-on-one friendships of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and with students without any disabilities. Best Buddies Ambassadors Best Buddies Ambassadors is intended to train people with IDD to be leaders and public speakers in their schools, communities, and workplace. It is intended to be a part of the Disability Rights Movement - teaching people with IDD the skills needed to successfully self-advocate. The program is intended to prepare people with IDD to become active agents of change. The ambassadors can also be people without IDD. Buddy pairs are encouraged to be ambassadors together in order to help spread the Best Buddies mission by demonstrating friendship and inclusion. Best Buddies Jobs Best Buddies Jobs is a program that makes sure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities get competitive paying jobs and equal employment. This program provides a support system for both the employee with a disability and the employer. e-Buddies e-Buddies offers a safe place for those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to create online friendships. This program helps members, ages 13 and older, develop technology skills to become more confident in communicating online. Since people with IDD often have fewer opportunities for social interaction once they graduate, this program helps them continue making friendships while learning to navigate technology. Members can participate in monthly group events or be paired for a one-to-one friendship. All participants are screened to ensure the safety of those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies Living The Best Buddies Living program encourages people with and without IDD to live together in a community that is focused on supporting all residents in accomplishing their goals. ==Chapters==

The first official Best Buddies chapter was founded at Georgetown University in 1989, and the second was at The Catholic University of America in 1991. , there are over 1,500 chapters, and over 400 on college campuses. Each chapter has an official website called the Chapter Portal. Through this site, members are able to view the calendar, roster, or other important information about the chapter. The administration of a chapter is responsible for updating the Chapter Portal when necessary. ==Fundraising and events==

83% of the revenue goes directly to Best Buddies programs, and only 17% goes towards administration and fundraising. The amount that goes towards fundraising is used to create events such as the Friendship Walk and the Best Buddies Challenge. Best Buddies Friendship Walk The Best Buddies Friendship Walk began in 2009 and has since spread to over 24 states. The Friendship Walk has raised over $2 million for Best Buddies. Each state that participates in the Friendship walk can hold the event whenever they wish and as often as they wish. The purpose of the walk is to raise money for Best Buddies while creating an atmosphere for new friendships to prosper and inclusion for all. Best Buddies Challenge The Best Buddies Challenge is the organization's largest fundraising initiative, sponsored by German car manufacturer Audi. It consists of three annual events in the United States in which participants cycle, walk or run. Participants are encouraged to participate alongside Best Buddies, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies Leadership Conference The Best Buddies Leadership Conference is a program offered at the Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The program has four education tracks that are meant for different positions within a chapter or community. The conference takes place once a year for four days. Through the four days, participants go to workshops, seminars, and events. Some of the conference highlights are: leadership development and public speaking sessions, and learning about the disabilities rights movement. Best Buddies Ventures Best Buddies Ventures creates employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) while serving as a way to raise funds to help grow the Best Buddies program. In June 2020, Best Buddies launched their first venture with Rosetta Bakery. This nonprofit agency partnered with a for-profit company to create a program to bridge the gap with inclusion and job opportunities. Best Buddies x Rosetta Bakery is a partnership that allows customers to support Best Buddies by purchasing food and coffee. In addition, this South Florida bakery allows those with IDD to showcase their talents through employment and internship opportunities. This bakery serves Italian treats, including focaccia, pizza, sandwiches, coffee, pastries, and cakes. Best Buddies x Rosetta Bakery not only offers jobs but also helps create awareness for Best Buddies’ mission. Additionally, 50% of each bakery purchase goes to help expand the programs offered by Best Buddies. The hope is to take this business model and expand it worldwide. ==Sponsorship==

The top sponsor of Best Buddies International is Audi, but other companies that have donated over $500,000 are Silicon Valley Bank, Country Kitchen, and Zenith. Audi of America Partnership Through Audi sponsorship, Best Buddies International was able to raise more than US$11.8 million for Best Buddies programs from events in Palm Beach, Hyannis Port, Hearst Castle, New York, Washington and Miami in 2008. Introduced in April 2007 at Art Chicago, the car toured cities between New York and Mexico City, culminating in Miami, where it was sold at a live auction benefiting the charity. Audi is the title sponsor of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Washington, D.C. In addition to being the title sponsor for this event, Audi is featured at all other Best Buddies national events. Best Buddies and Audi also collaborate on a variety of cause marketing programs throughout the year that take place on both the national and regional levels. Audi has also agreed to support the beginning of Best Buddies Jobs Washington, D.C. Audi had been sponsoring Best Buddies since 2007 and plans to continue to do so through December 31, 2014. In 2007, Anthony Kennedy Shriver announced the opening of a new accredited program in Doha, Qatar, in collaboration with the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, a nonprofit charitable organization. , Best Buddies had chapters in 50 countries around the world, spanning six continents. ==Other Sponsors==

Other sponsors of Best Buddies include Foundations and Government Partners such as the Annenberg Foundation, the Florida Department of Education and the United States Department of Education. Best Buddies also accepts donations from individual donors. ==References==