Best Buddies International

What Best Buddies International does

Best Buddies International is a US-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver and headquartered in Miami, Florida. It is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), operating across all 50 US states and approximately 45 countries through more than 4,000 chapters and impacting over 1.5 million participants. Its service portfolio comprises twelve formal programs organized around five pillars: One-To-One Friendships (school chapters, Citizens, e-Buddies), Integrated Employment (Jobs and Project SEARCH), Leadership Development (Ambassadors, Promoters, BBLC conference), Inclusive Living (Best Buddies Living residences, including the May 2026 Manhattan launch), and Family Support (Eunie's Buddies). In 2026 it added Travel and Entrepreneurship programs, signaling deliberate expansion of the program surface.

The organization's go-to-market is hybrid: a community-led chapter model recruits volunteers and participants through schools, state offices, and international affiliates, while fundraising is concentrated through annual flagship events (Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port and nearly 100 global Friendship Walks) and high-visibility corporate and celebrity partnerships. Revenue is generated primarily through donations, corporate sponsorships, event fundraising (e.g., $4M+ raised at the May 2026 Hyannis Port Challenge), and merchandise via the Best Buddies Shop. Most programs are delivered free to participants; the Citizens program charges a $15 background-check fee and the Leadership Conference charges $400-$650 depending on attendee type.

Best Buddies monetizes relationships differently than a typical company: rather than charging participants, it converts donor, sponsor, and volunteer engagement into program funding. Major corporate relationships include Jersey Mike's Subs (presenting sponsor of Hyannis Port and a $100 million Best Buddies Forever Fund pledger), Shaw's and Star Market Foundation, TJX Companies, New York Life Foundation, Sky Zone, Belmont Village Senior Living, and MAWDY in Ireland. The technology stack is conventional nonprofit infrastructure (bestbuddies.org website, e-Buddies virtual matching platform, e-commerce shop, Zoom for virtual events); the organization is WCAG 2.1 Level AA-aware and holds 501(c)(3) status, with no disclosed proprietary AI or technology moat. Headcount is 251-500 employees and the organization maintains dedicated regional/state offices in major US markets plus international affiliates on five continents.

Name

Best Buddies International

Legal name

Best Buddies International, Inc.

Website

https://bestbuddies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Best Buddies International is a Miami-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs friendship, employment, leadership, inclusive living, and family support programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 50 US states and 45 countries, serving over 1.5 million participants through 4,000+ chapters and funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Inclusion Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Peer Mentorship, Buddy & Host-Family Matching Programs (EDAIAKAD)

Keywords

• Disability inclusion programs
• Integrated employment services
• Friendship programs
• Nonprofit disability services
• Leadership development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Best Buddies raises funds through donations, event fundraising campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and the Best Buddies Shop merchandise (100% of shop proceeds benefit Best Buddies International). Major annual fundraiser is the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, which raised over $4 million in 2026.
2. Merchandise Sales: The Best Buddies Shop sells clothing, accessories, cycling apparel, and collectible merchandise. All proceeds support Best Buddies programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Best Buddies International operates a portfolio of 12 programs across five mission pillars — One-To-One Friendships, Integrated Employment (Jobs), Leadership Development, Inclusive Living, and Family Support — serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Programs are delivered through nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters, state offices across all 50 US states, and international affiliates in nearly 50 countries, reaching over 1.5 million people with and without IDD.

Product overview

Best Buddies International operates as a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive platform of programs focused on ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The core portfolio includes five mission pillars: One-To-One Friendships (including e-Buddies virtual program), Integrated Employment/Jobs, Leadership Development (with Ambassadors and Promoters programs), Inclusive Living, and Family Support (including Eunie's Buddies). Additional offerings include the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC), Best Buddies Travel for inclusive travel experiences, the Best Buddies Friendship Walk fundraising events, and the Best Buddies Shop merchandise store. The organization also runs the Project SEARCH partnership for transition-to-work programs. Programs are delivered through nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters across all 50 US states and 45 countries, engaging participants in both in-person and virtual formats including Zoom-based events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• e-Buddies: A program that creates social inclusion and friendships for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in a virtual space through online communication and virtual events.
• Eunie's Buddies
• Best Buddies Living
• Best Buddies Jobs
• Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC)
• Ambassador Academy
• Project SEARCH

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 chapters and 1.5 million people impacted globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Jersey Mike's SubsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2026Presenting sponsor of Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. Founder Peter Cancro announced a new $100 million Best Buddies Forever Fund and contributed a $1 million personal donation kickstart. Partnership includes establishing employment opportunities for people with IDD within Jersey Mike's restaurants across 3,100+ locations nationwide. Donation campaigns at stores contribute 20% of sales to Best Buddies.
• Shaw's and Star Market FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2026Presenting sponsor of Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. Presented a $300,000 check from its in-store campaign supporting Best Buddies programs.
• The TJX Companies, Inc.flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2026Presenting sponsor of the 27th Annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Future Centered CareflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Collaboration to launch Best Buddies International's first inclusive Independent Living Residence for Neurodiverse Adults in Manhattan. Future Centered Care provides individualized, person-centered supplemental support including ongoing case management, benefits navigation, life skills coaching, and long-term future planning.
• Sky ZonecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Sky Zone's 'Summer of Sky Zone' initiative includes a partnership with Best Buddies where a portion of each Summer Play Pass sold is donated to the organization. The initiative targets families seeking affordable local entertainment.
• LifeMakers FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Strategic partnership to launch Best Buddies Egypt through LifeMakers Foundation's extensive nationwide network and experience in youth empowerment and community development. Initial focus on implementing the Best Buddies Friendship Program with plans to expand leadership development, advocacy, and employment initiatives.
• Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Partnership between DSDN and Eunie's Buddies program to support families with children with Down syndrome through mentorship and community programs. Initiative expands support from diagnosis through various stages of parenting.
• Belmont Village Senior LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Belmont Village Senior Living partnered with Best Buddies International to advance workforce inclusion within the senior living sector. Through this partnership, individuals with IDD gain employment opportunities at Belmont Village properties.
• MAWDYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025Insurance firm MAWDY partnered with Best Buddies Ireland to launch the Empowerment & Future Ready Programme in Galway, Ireland. The 12-month programme includes skill-building workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and inclusive events for young people with intellectual disabilities.
• PLAN of Massachusetts and Rhode IslandsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated $200,000 to support Best Buddies programs at the 27th Annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Arc: The Arc is the largest US national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with chapters in nearly every state. Directly comparable to Best Buddies on IDD mission, chapter network, and advocacy orientation.
• Easterseals: Easterseals is a leading US disability services nonprofit offering employment, independent living, and community-based programs for people with disabilities and IDD. Comparable to Best Buddies in its Jobs and Living service pillars and employer partnership model.
• Special Olympics: Special Olympics is the largest global sports-focused nonprofit serving people with intellectual disabilities, operating in 190+ countries with millions of athletes. It is the closest direct peer to Best Buddies in scale, IDD focus, and global chapter/affiliate model.
• YAI (Young Adult Institute): YAI is one of the largest US nonprofits providing integrated employment, residential, and clinical services for people with IDD. Directly comparable to Best Buddies Jobs and Best Buddies Living programs in service mix and target population.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): NDSS is a US national nonprofit focused on advocacy, education, and community programs for people with Down syndrome. Directly comparable to Best Buddies' Eunie's Buddies family-support program in target subpopulation and family-mentorship model.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): UCP is a US national nonprofit providing housing, employment, and advocacy for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable to Best Buddies in integrated employment and residential service lines for IDD populations.

Regional players

• Inclusion International: Inclusion International is a global federation of disability advocacy organizations with member networks across more than 100 countries. Comparable to Best Buddies in international advocacy scope and IDD focus, though structured as an umbrella rather than direct service provider.

Emerging players

• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is a large US autism-focused advocacy and services nonprofit with employment and inclusion programming. It overlaps Best Buddies in IDD employment and inclusion missions, though narrower in focus on autism spectrum.
• JVS (Jewish Vocational Service): JVS is a US nonprofit focused on workforce development and employment services, including programs for people with disabilities. Comparable to Best Buddies Jobs in integrated employment outcomes, with a narrower IDD focus but similar employer-partnership GTM.
• Project SEARCH: Project SEARCH is a global transition-to-work internship program for young adults with IDD that Best Buddies itself partners with. Highly comparable in target population (young adults with IDD) and employment outcomes, though Best Buddies is a partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bestbuddies
• YouTubeyoutube.com/bestbuddies
• Facebookfacebook.com/bestbuddies
• Instagraminstagram.com/bestbuddies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bestbuddieshq

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Best Buddies International