Making A Difference

Best Buddies International is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.  Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies has grown from one chapter on one college campus to a vibrant, international organization involving 30,000 participants annually on more than 700 middle school, high school and college campuses in the United States, Egypt, Ireland, Canada, and Greece.

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 part of a mainstream society.  Our goal is to bring Best Buddies to every corner of the United States in the next ten years.  Best Buddies programs need to be active on every middle school, high school and college campus nation wide. 

There are more than 7.5 million people with intellectual disabilities in the United States and 250 million worldwide.  Paired with the 14 million college students in the US and the 77 million middle school and high school students worldwide, we can make a huge difference in the lives of so many.  The challenge is astounding, but with the power of volunteers and the generosity of our donors, it is attainable.

VISION

Best Buddies envisions a world where people with disabilities are so successfully integrated into our schools. our workplaces and our communities that our services will be unnecessary.  Until that day, our vision is to educate middle school, high school and college students, corporate and community citizens about the needs and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. 

Best Buddies began in 1987, when founder and chairman Anthony K. Shriver realized the lack of opportunity people with intellectual disabilities had to socialize with non-disabled peers.  As a college student, Mr. Shriver also knew that students had the energy and commitment to positively transform their communities.  His inspiration to bring both groups together created Best Buddies.  

Since its incorporation in 1989, Best Buddies has impacted the lives of more than 175,000 volunteers and people with intellectual disabilities in hundreds of communities across the United States, and in Canada, Egypt and Greece.  Today, Best Buddies offers six programs: Best Buddies High Schools, Best Buddies Colleges, Best Buddies Citizens, Best Buddies Middle Schools, Best Buddies Jobs and e-Buddies.