2015 ANNUAL REPORT - Best Buddies International · 2015 ANNUAL REPORT . ... work diligently to...
Transcript of 2015 ANNUAL REPORT - Best Buddies International · 2015 ANNUAL REPORT . ... work diligently to...
BESTBUDDIES® Three Program Pillars:
One-to-OneFriendships
IntegratedEmployment
LeadershipDevelopment
Jason Delconte & Matthew BarronFriendship programClovercroft Elementary School Contents
1 Message from Our Chairman 2 Why We
Matter 3 MissionVisionGoals
4 Best BuddiesPrograms 5 Who We Are
• Global Program Snapshot• Milestones
7 One-to-One Friendships• Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens and e-Buddies®
• Friendship Program Participant Story - Ashley Waltz & Lauren Cantrell13 Integrated
Employment• Best Buddies Jobs• Did You Know?• Jobs Highlights• Jobs Program Participant Story - Cristen Maxwell
33 Meet Our Supporters• Corporations• Individuals• Foundations• Government• In-Kind• Top Fundraising Teams
39 Participating Employers 41 Our Global
Movement
19 Leadership Development• Ambassadors and Promoters• Leadership Development Program Participant Story - Kellie Howard
26 Signature Event Highlights• National Events
29 Financial Statement• Where the Dollar Goes• Consolidated Statement of Activities• Balance Sheet
31 Our Leaders• Board of Directors• Executive Team
Why We MatterOver the past 50 years, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have gained many rights that have improved their lives. Yet, our society is still far from inclusive. Tragically, a great number of people within the IDD community are stereotyped, marginalized and live life as an invisible minority, often times unemployed and without the simple joys of genuine friendships that others may take for granted. As one study notes, “Legal mandates cannot, however, mandate acceptance by peers, neighbors, fellow employees, employers or any of the other groups of individuals who directly impact the lives of people with disabilities."*
This is where Best Buddies International comes into play. Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with IDD. For individuals within this community, Best Buddies serves as a lifeline to creating life-long friendships, securing successful jobs, living independently and feeling valued and respected by society.
Currently, an estimated 84% of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities do not have a paid job in the community. The Best Buddies Jobs program has participants employed full-time who each have the potential to earn a total income upwards of $1 million over 30 years and contribute $250,000 in taxes back into the economy, rather than costing the government approximately $750,000 each in Federal SSI and Medicaid support during that time period.
This is just one of many key examples of how Best Buddies is working to improve quality of life for individuals with IDD. Through the creation of meaningful, lasting one-to-one friendships with peers without disabilities and the promotion of integrated employment opportunities, Best Buddies is changing the world one friendship, one job and one leader at a time.
For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org.
*Teen Attitudes Toward Individuals with Mental Retardation, 2002
Message from Our ChairmanDear Friends,
Best Buddies had an amazing year in 2015, impacting nearly one million
individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD) and supporting over 700 job placements around the world. We
hosted more than 2,200 participants at our annual student Leadership
Conference at Indiana University, including 105 Buddy Ambassadors , the
largest class ever. Our national events, including the Miami Gala and the
Best Buddies Challenges, were our largest and most successful to date!
Each year continues to be better than the one before, and a preview of
what will come next - new challenges, successes and friendships to last
a lifetime.
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk continues to develop as our most
widespread event across the nation. In 2015 these events broke records as
the largest walks in the history of Best Buddies. Walk leaders continued to
work diligently to surpass their goals, and in 2015 they brought in more than
$3 million nationally - a 76% increase since 2014!
The 26th annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference, presented by
C.A. Hartnell, was the largest conference to date in Best Buddies
history. Nearly 2,200 students, leaders, volunteers and staff members,
representing Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Hong
Kong, Macau, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Spain,
United Kingdom and the United States traveled to Indiana University in
Bloomington to participate in the four-day conference, from July 17-20. In
conference with the attendance rate soaring 75% from 2011 to 2015.
In 2015 our Jobs program also continued to grow at an
aggressive pace with the addition of two new programs in
the U.S. (Broward County, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee),
one in Scandinavia (Oslo, Norway), and secured funding for
one in Latin America (Santiago, Chile) to open in 2016. Our
U.S. programs continued to develop jobs for individuals
with IDD at some of the nation’s leading corporations
including the Central Park Conservancy, IMC Financial
Markets, and the National Basketball Association. In 2015,
the Best Buddies Jobs program had a total of 755 employed
participants.
In May, on the heels of winning Super Bowl XLIX, Tom
Brady along with thousands of Best Buddies supporters
Tom Brady Football
Challenge and the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.
With the help of Hublot, Pepsi-Cola Company and a host
of other generous sponsors and fundraisers, the event
was the largest and most successful in the history of the
organization, generating over $5 million.
In September, Best Buddies supporter Steve Hearst
opened the renowned Hearst Ranch and Castle for the
Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. In total, the event
raised over $4.5 million for the organization. On November
20, the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami took to the streets
in a Tour de France style peloton, led by pro-cyclists. Later
that evening, cyclists joined nearly 900 other guests at Ice
Palace Studios for the 19th annual Best Buddies Miami Gala.
The event culminated with a performance by world famous
DJ and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Steve Aoki, and
raised $2.5 million!
On behalf of the nearly one million individuals whose
lives are impacted by Best Buddies, thank you to all of
our supporters, participants, volunteers, and staff and to
everyone who makes our mission possible. I am so happy
that our buddies are not on this journey alone, and I look
forward to another exciting year of friendship, integrated
employment and leadership development.
In friendship,
Anthony Kennedy ShriverFounder & ChairmanBest Buddies International
Anthony Kennedy Shriver Best Buddies 25th Anniversary Reception at Georgetown University
Shelby Fontanilla & Alex Tyua Friendship program participantsMaui High School
1 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 2
Best Buddies International is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs help people with IDD form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
Mission
creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with IDD.
VisionTo put Best Buddies out of business. Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are so successfully integrated into
schools, workplaces, and communities that its efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that vision becomes a reality, the
organization will continue to educate middle school, high school and college students, community members, corporations, and
employers about the emotional, functional, and natural needs and abilities of people with IDD.
Who We ServeThe IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, fragile X
syndrome, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.
Goals | The 2020 Initiative
initiative also includes plans to train 4,000 Buddy Ambassadors, develop 1,000 jobs for people with IDD around the world, and
increase the number of school-based chapters to 2,500. As a result of these ambitious efforts, Best Buddies hopes to become
a household name by the end of 2020.
ProgramsBest Buddies programs sit on three program pillars listed below:
Integrated Employment Leadership DevelopmentOne-to-One Friendships
3 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
One-To-One Friendships Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of
inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.
BESTBUDDIES® Middle Schools,
High Schools and Colleges
Creates an inclusive school environment for students with
and without IDD during times of social and emotional
development.
BESTBUDDIES® Citizens
Helps adults with and without IDD develop meaningful
friendships and become more involved in their local
communities.
e-BUDDIES®
Offers an e-mail program, in which a participant with IDD
communicates online with a friend without IDD.
Integrated EmploymentSecures integrated employment for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and
independently support themselves.
BESTBUDDIES® Jobs
program, Best Buddies develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process and provides ongoing support to
the employee and employer.
An estimated 84% of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities do not have a paid
job in the community.* The Best Buddies Jobs program has participants employed full
time who each have the potential to earn a total income upwards of $1mm over 30
years and contribute $250k in taxes back into the economy, rather than costing the
government approximately $750k each in Federal SSI and Medicaid support during
that time period.
Leadership Development Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to become leaders, public speakers and advocates.
BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors
Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the
to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and
Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.
BESTBUDDIES® Promoters
Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD
and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by
organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability
rights movement.
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 4
*National Core Indicators 2013-14
Global Programs Snapshot: 2015
50 States 54 Countries
Continents6
2,151Total Chapters
109,033Total Participants IMPACTED
1,090,330
e-BuddiesCitizens
2,990Total Participants
1,923Total Participants
Promoters
271=4,781Chapters Total Participants
943Total Participants
Ambassadors
Middle Schools
329=10,044Chapters Total Participants
High Schools
1,107=59,629Chapters Total Participants
Colleges
444=27,968Chapters Total Participants
16,459Avg. Wkly. Hours Worked 806,491Avg. Yrly. Hours Worked
$9,605,307Avg. Yrly. Wages Earned $1,921,061Avg. Yrly. Taxes Paid
Total Buddies Employed755
Jobs
5 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Milestones Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded the original Best Buddies Chapter while a junior at Georgetown University in 1987.
BUDDIES® becomes America’s
• The Best Buddies Fine Art Collection is developed, featuring masterpieces by Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg.
Leadership Conference, training both college student leaders and people with IDD by providing intensive lessons in public speaking, management, team building, problem solving and leadership skills. • Best Buddies launches BESTBUDDIES® Citizens with the goal of pairing adults with IDD with their non- disabled working peers.
• Best Buddies launches BESTBUDDIES® Jobs, a supported employment program, targeting high-paying, white-collar jobs for people with IDD in Florida, California and Massachusetts.• Best Buddies establishes BESTBUDDIES® High Schools with the goal of pairing special education students in one-to-one friendships with high school volunteers.• The BESTBUDDIES® Middle Schools pilot program launches, reaching out to an even younger age group with the hope that inclusion of people with IDD will have a lasting effect on societal norms for the next generation.
• e-BUDDIES® launches as a cutting-edge online friendship program.• Best Buddies launches the most successful fundraising event in its history, the nationally televised inaugural Volvo Hearst Castle Challenge First Lady Maria Shriver.
• Best Buddies celebrates 20 years of friendships and jobs in 2009.• In honor of its 20th anniversary, Best Buddies updates it mission statement to: “To establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”
• BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors becomes Best Buddies’ seventh formal program.
• BESTBUDDIES® Jobs expands to Washington D.C. and San Francisco, CA.• BESTBUDDIES®
• Best Buddies celebrates its 25th anniversary.• Best Buddies launches the I’m In To Hire• In October 2015 A&E Network partnered with Best Buddies International and premiered a new docu-series,
“Born This Way,” which chronicled the lives of seven young adults with Down syndrome, several of whom were Best Buddies participants.
WHO WE ARE
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 6
1989
- 1
993
1994
- 1
998
1999
- 2
006
2007
- 2
011
2011
- 2
015
*All BESTBUDDIES® global program statistics, including the Jobs participants statistics, are as of 12/31/15. Average hourly wage = $11.91. Average hours worked per week = 21.8 (in the U.S.)
7 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Mason Shank & Matt MooreBest Buddies Citizen program participants
One-to-One Friendships life people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD) have often been forced to live throughout history.
Best Buddies offers people with IDD the chance to have
to share interests, experiences and activities that many
other individuals enjoy.
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 8
Middle Schools | High Schools | CollegesIn today’s schools, students with IDD often enter the same
building and walk the same hallways as their peers, but they
are left out of social activities. These students miss out on so
friends to sit with at lunch, attending homecoming or prom,
joining a club, or meeting a friend with whom to share their
experiences.
Best Buddies offers students with IDD the chance to have a
friend and to share interests, experiences and activities that
so many other students their age enjoy. The Middle Schools,
High Schools and Colleges programs pair students with IDD
in one-to-one mentoring friendships with students without
IDD. Each student agrees to a one-year commitment in which
they will call and go on an outing with their buddy at least
once a week.
The Best Buddies Friendship program offers a peer mentoring
relationship that affects both the person with and the person
without IDD. Not only do our programs create a lasting
friendship, but they help facilitate an environment of inclusion
throughout the school and in the community.
CitizensFor people with IDD, the void of meaningful friendships
extends into adulthood. After age 21, some individuals
with IDD may never spend time with anyone besides a paid
caretaker and family. Best Buddies Citizens pairs adults
with IDD in one-to-one friendships with other individuals in
corporate and civic communities. Volunteers are sharing their
time and energy with new friends. Citizen buddy pairs are
asked to commit to a one-year relationship during which the
pair agrees to talk once a week and see each other twice a
month. These relationships usually grow into friendships that
last for a lifetime.
e-BUDDIES®
Computers are an integral part of society, yet only 54% of
people with disabilities report using a computer or other
electronic device to access the internet.*
By joining e-Buddies, participants can develop the skills
necessary to become technology-literate, and therefore, able
to compete for higher-level employment and to communicate
using a variety of sources.
e-Buddies is an e-mail pen pal program that pairs people with
IDD in one-to-one e-mail friendships with peer volunteers who
do not have IDD. Participants from the 50 U.S. states, as well as
international participants from various countries, are matched
based on age, gender and common interests. e-Buddies agree
to e-mail each other at least once a week for one calendar
year. This program offers a safe way to make a new friend and
connect with someone across the country.
In 2015, e-Buddies served 1,923 total participants. These
participants exchanged more than 40,000 e-mails, and also
posted more than 500 messages on the e-Buddies Community
message boards. e-Buddies was also used as a teaching tool
in the classroom by over 60 special education teachers and
other disabilities professionals across the country.
*Kessler Foundation 2012
1 | WWW.BESTBUDDIES.ORG9 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Andrew Donaldson & Sam BirkyFriendship program participantsBelmont University
Ronnie, e-Buddies since2013 with Julie, e-Buddies
group administrator
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 10
One-to-One Friendships
RRRRaRRRRR chel Rogers && Jenna Sanandedersrsss BeBeBeBeBBBBestss BBududdidieses CCCCCCCititiittitttizizizizzzzizzeneneneneneeneenennss prprprppp ogogogogggraararaammmmmm
FRIENDSHIP / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
9 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
FRIENDSHIP / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 12
Eric
of high school. Lauren had been the president of the
Best Buddies chapter at her junior high, and she tried
throughout the summer to start a Best Buddies chapter
at her new high school, but there were no teachers able
to sponsor the club on campus. However, Lauren was
determined not to let that deter her from getting to know
her peers in the special education classrooms and
decided to become a parallel learner in Mrs. Means’
First hour quickly became Lauren’s favorite class of the
day and she cherished the opportunity to get to know
the second day of school, Ashley shared a picture of
herself in a hospital room and told the class she was
a cancer survivor. Lauren could not believe that a girl
who had gone through so much could be one of the
happiest people she had ever met. Ashley’s optimistic
outlook on life is one of her greatest attributes and part
of the reason Lauren and Ashley quickly became such
great friends.
Mesquite High School. While Lauren and Ashley
together and saw each other often. The next year,
Lauren made sure that she and Ashley were matched
as buddies. Each morning, Ashley would burst through
the classroom door saying, “Lauren! My best buddy! I
Ashley, standing with a huge smile on her face, and
arms outstretched.
"I love Ashley and I love Best Buddies for bringing us
together," Lauren said. "She has given me more than I
could ever return."
In December 2015, Ashley was diagnosed with MDS
(Meylodysplastic Syndrome), a rare blood disorder. The
only course of treatment was a bone marrow transplant.
Ashley was admitted to begin a strenuous course of
chemotherapy prior to her transplant. The day before
her 22nd birthday, she received her new cells. With
the effects of the chemotherapy hitting full force, her
extended stay in the PICU was an extreme challenge.
However, though she had her moments of frustration,
she came through the bulk of her treatment with her
smile and love for others very much still intact.
“I was able to visit Ashley almost every week during
her stay in the ICU,” Lauren said. “It is so hard to see
a friend in so much pain and be able to do so little for
them. Even on her hardest days she managed to meet
me with a smile and my favorite greeting, ‘Lauren! My
best buddy!’ I cherish the time I was able to sit with her,
doing crafts, watching movies, and talking about what
dates her and her boyfriend were going to go on when
she left the hospital … I love seeing her whenever I can
and she continues to inspire me every day.”
“We’ve been friends for almost six years, and there’s no
way she’s getting rid of me now! I love Ashley and I love
Best Buddies for bringing us together," Lauren said.
Ashley Waltz
11 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
One-to-One FriendshipsProgram ParticipantsAshley Waltz & Lauren Cantrell
One-to-One FriendshipsProgram ParticipantsAshley Waltz & Lauren Cantrell
13 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Dudley Williams IIIJobs Program participant at John Hancock
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 14
Dudley Williams IIIJobs Program participant at John Hancock
Carolyn MeyerJobs program participant at Asurion
I n tegra ted Employment Since its inception, Best Buddies Jobs has assisted
thousands of participants in earning an income, paying
alongside others in the community. The Jobs program
offers the opportunity for people with intellectual and
independent through their own efforts, and removes the
need for government assistance or parental support.
This program focuses on white-collar jobs, which sets
it apart from so many others, because Best Buddies
assists individuals in careers that are not only enjoyable,
but also inclusive and competitive in terms of pay.
BESTBUDDIES® JobsBest Buddies Jobs furthers the integration of people with IDD into the community through supported employment. The focus is on developing competitive, integrated jobs that allow participants to earn an income, pay taxes, and work in an environment alongside their peers in the community, leading to full inclusion and independence. Best Buddies Jobs conducts a person-centered approach with each participant, working with the individual to ultimately achieve their personal employment goals. Coaching is provided in essential job interviewing skills, and once a job is secured, there is assistance with on-the-job training. Job placement for participants depends on factors such as their skills and abilities, location and vocational preference. Once fully adjusted to their job, Best Buddies supports participants with job coaching for continued career development.
The Jobs program focuses on white-collar jobs such as:
desk assistant, and retail associate.
Best Buddies prides itself on developing jobs in professional environments. Employers range from some of the top law
and luxury hotels. The states with active Best Buddies Jobs programs as of December 31, 2015 include California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada,
New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Did You Know? • Work plays a central role in the lives of many people with IDD, and studies of supported work have shown that these
employees desire paid employment to the same degree as young adults without disabilities. (Cordes & Howard, 2005; Ferrari, Nota & Soresi, 2008; Griffen, 1996; Reid & Bray, 1997)
• Many people with IDD want to work in integrated “real world” employment situations. In 2007, only 26% of those employed
were working in integrated employment settings. The rest were supported in sheltered employment, day rehabilitation services or non-work community integration programs. (The Arc 2012)
• The majority of adults with IDD are either unemployed or underemployed, despite their ability, desire, and willingness to engage in meaningful work in the community. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in January 2010, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.8% compared with 70.1% for people with no disability. (The Arc 2012)
• A Return on Disability Company 2012 report stated that "...a brand that stands for innovations and messaging that
supports greater inclusion of people with disabilities, by extension, stands for innovations and messaging that support greater inclusion for everyone." This shows that not only are companies supporting people with IDD in gaining employment opportunities and becoming independent, but also their brand begins to represent an inclusion for everyone
Integrated Employment
15 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
FRIENDSHIP / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
Jobs program participant Staples Center
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 16
Natalie SpringJobs program participantNatixis Global Asset Management
Jobs HighlightsOUR PARTICIPANTS• Best Buddies Jobs participants in the United States work
an average of 806,491 hours per year and earn approximately
$9.6 million combined annually.
HIGHEST SALARIES*• Cristen M. now earns $47,257.60 a year at Holland &
increase since 2014. She also receives life insurance, medical
vacation and sick time.
• Jessica C. now earns $38,688 a year at Tesoro in California. She also receives medical, dental, and vision care, as well as access to an education assistance program, employee
programs, and paid sick days.
• Curt H. now earns $37,960 a year at William Morris Endeavor in Los Angeles, CA. Curt also receives holiday pay and
• Anne J. earns $37,440 a year at SAP NS2 in Falls Church,
HIGHEST HOURLY WAGES• Cristen M. earns $22.72 per hour at Holland & Knight
in Massachusetts.
• Ashley W. earns $20 per hour at the Institute for Community
Inclusion in Massachusetts.
• Robert S. and Thomas K. earn $17 per hour at the NFL
Network in California.
RECEIVING BENEFITS• Medical & Dental: 15%
• Paid Vacation/Sick Days: 29%
• 401K Plan: 3%
• Other: 53%
2015 KEY JOBS PROGRAM STATS• Average Total Weekly Hours worked: 16,459*
• Average Total Yearly Hours worked: 806,491*
• Average Total Yearly Wages Earned: $9,605,307*
• Average Total Yearly Taxes paid: $1,921,061*
*Based on U.S. jobs placement. Refer to infographic on page 5.
*Salaries as of December 31, 2015
BESTBUDDIES® JOBS2015 Program Locations
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 18
Eric
Before Cristen Maxwell landed her position at the
jobs in the food service and hotel industries without
much success. After bouncing from job to job,
With her mother’s guidance, she reached out to Best
Buddies Massachusetts’ Jobs program for the career
opportunity of a lifetime.
In 1999 the Best Buddies Jobs program helped Cristen
land a position as a records specialist at Holland &
Knight. Through her hard work and incredible work
ethic, Cristen has earned the respect of her supervisor
and co-workers alike, and seen her salary increase by
$8,273 from 2014 to 2015. Cristen currently makes
$47,257 per year before taxes. She also receives
retirement plan, as well as paid vacation and sick-time.
Some of her job duties include entering the data for
site to storage facilities. Cristen’s work has been 100%
Cristen was awarded Best Buddies Massachusetts
Jobs program’s Employee of the Year for her exemplary
job performance at Holland & Knight.
In addition to her participation in the Best Buddies
Jobs program, Cristen also works to raise funds and
awareness for the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis
Port
said Cristen. “I’ve raised well over my goals several
times, close to $10,000 for this event...I do this to give
back to Best Buddies for what they've given me."
testament to the success of the Best Buddies Jobs
program.
"You can't tear me away from my job,” said Cristen.
“Without my job at Holland & Knight, who knows where
I would be. It's allowed me to prove to people that,
although I may have IDD, I can successfully do a job
like this. A lot of people put labels on me and don't
think I can do things, but I'm here to prove to people
that although I may not be like everyone else, I can go
out and earn a paycheck and contribute to society in a
positive way."
Cristen Maxwell
17 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
FRIENDSHIP / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
Integrated EmploymentProgram ParticipantCristen Maxwell
19 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Paul BrooksBest Buddies Global Ambassador and Jobs program participant
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 20
Leadership Development Best Buddies educates and empowers individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to
become powerful public speakers, self-advocates and
active agents of change. These leaders inspire their
peers within the IDD community, employers and the
government to join Best Buddies' global movement of
friendship and social inclusion.
Ambassadors Best Buddies Ambassadors is a program that provides training for participants with and without IDD in areas of speech writing,
public speaking and self-advocacy. Ambassadors develop the skills to professionally share their life stories, promote Best
Buddies programs, network, and most importantly, advocate. The program prepares people to become active agents of change
and informed, engaging advocates for the disability rights movement.
Ambassadors participate in trainings focused on the art of public speaking and advocacy. Once trained, they are expected to
identify opportunities in their chapters, communities, and state to share their stories and become more involved and empowered
people with IDD, present at recruitment fairs and Best Buddies events, and develop partnerships in the community given their
skills and awareness as advocates. Ambassadors also help collect donations, present to other interest groups, and train others
with IDD.
Participants are paired with a speech coach for the duration of their Ambassador training to assist with the writing and presentation
of a speech. Speech coaches help Ambassadors in areas of brainstorming and organization, and serve as a guide who provides
one-on-one attention as needed.
As of December 31, 2015, Best Buddies had more than 943 trained active Buddy Ambassadors, in 26 states and nine countries.
Many Ambassador program participants attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July and took part in novice or
advanced speech writing courses during the event.
PromotersBest Buddies Promoters not only empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD, but allows them the opportunity
to interact and develop friendships with someone who they may not otherwise meet. The Promoters program offers students a
chance to develop leadership skills as they organize and host teen nights and awareness events for teens with and without IDD.
These events create a platform for friendships and a culture of inclusion and acceptance of individuals of all abilities.
Each Promoters chapter is led by a student leader and faculty
advisor that oversee the membership and plan at least two
events per semester for an entire academic year to promote
advocacy and awareness.
The Best Buddies chapter on campus has student and faculty
volunteers who provide support to program participants.
FRIENDSHIP / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 22
Leadership DevelopmentPrProomoterer EEvevevventnt:: EnEnd-d-ofof-S-Sumummememem r r r CeCeCelelelelebrbrbrbratatatatioioioi n nn fofoff r r Summmmmmereree BBududududu didiesesee atat FFraraanknkkklililinnnn RoRoRoRoadadadadad AcAcccadada ememmy yyy inin TTTenenenennenenen sssseeeeeee
Eric Matthes, Global Ambassador speaking at the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle event
21 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
FRIENDSHIP / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 24
Eric
Buddy Ambassador Kellie Howard has been involved with
Best Buddies since 2008. She serves as the Outreach Chair
for the University of South Florida’s Best Buddies chapter
and is an active member of the Young Leaders Council.
Kellie is currently employed at the University of South
Florida and also serves on the Best Buddies International
Board of Directors. She has given inspirational speeches
not only in her hometown of Tampa, but at several of our
national events throughout the country, including the Best
Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port and the Best Buddies
Challenge: Hearst Castle. Here is an excerpt from Kellie’s
speech before the 2015 Board of Directors:
"My story begins as a story about loneliness, bullying,
cared about me. Thankfully, I always had the support
of my family but that wasn’t always enough. I needed
support from my peers.
"Everything changed when I enrolled in the University of
South Florida (USF). After joining Best Buddies at USF, I
of opportunities began to present themselves for me. I
was selected to be a buddy director for my chapter two
years in a row. Being a buddy director has made me
feel worthy and accomplished, and more importantly,
I learned social skills which helped me land a job on
campus where I forged meaningful friendships.
"Through Best Buddies, I've become an advocate for
myself and others with intellectual and developmental
disabilities all across the world. This platform has
also given me the opportunity to develop my public
speaking skills and effectively use my platform to serve
as a voice for my peers within the IDD community. I
hope I can continue my involvement with Best Buddies
in the future to show the world that people with IDD are
smart, capable and aware of the power to bring about
change and social inclusion to the rest of society.
"Best Buddies has given me more opportunities
than ever before. What does Best Buddies mean to
me? Family, friendship, and an all-around amazing
organization.
"My experiences through Best Buddies have helped
me become the person I am today. I'm truly grateful to
have a chance to share my story with all of you!"
Kellie HowardLeadership Development
Global AmbassadorKellie Howard
23 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
25 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
S i g n a t u r e N a t i o n a l Events 2015 The purpose of special events is to garner and acknowledge
support for the Best Buddies mission, in addition to raising
funds and awareness to reach our 2020 initiative. There
are numerous ways to get involved such as: volunteering,
advocating, and pursuing national partnership and
sponsorship opportunities. A few of our more prominent
events are featured in the following pages.
Best Buddies Global Ambassador Savannah Guthrie & Friendship program participant Tara Sanders
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 26
National Events 2015 BEST BUDDIES MONTHWhat started 21 years ago as a one-day event has evolved into a month-long celebration commemorating Best Buddies’ mission. Best Buddies Month, which takes place each year in March, is a time for Best Buddies participants
these essentials in every individual’s life. In March 2015, entire chapters and individual volunteers showcased their passion for Best Buddies by participating in community carnivals, regional dances, and school-wide assemblies.
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
use of the R-word. Best Buddies' partnership with Special Olympics and dozens of other organizations raises awareness of the hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourages people to pledge to stop using it. Spread the Word to End the Word Wednesday of every March. However, people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools all year long through pledge drives, youth rallies and online engagement.
26th ANNUAL BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCEIn July 2015, more than 2,200 student and adult leaders from around the globe attended this three-day conference. Program participants united for a weekend of leadership development and training. Participants were encouraged to think about the global effects of social inclusion for people with IDD. Best Buddies provided scholarships to disadvantaged student leaders who would not have otherwise attended.
EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER DAY 2015Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Day was created in 2010 in her honor, to inspire people to remember her legacy, embrace the movement she founded to bring awareness to the disability movement. EKS day promotes a global call for individuals to commit actions of inclusion, acceptance and unity for people with IDD. The third annual EKS Day was observed on September 26th throughout the United States and in 100 countries. Activities included playing sports, picnics, canned-food drives, leadership trainings and pledges to stop using the R-word.
AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SPACEY BENEFITING BEST BUDDIESBest Buddies Global Ambassador and Actor Kevin Spacey joined Anthony K. Shriver, Olympian Carl Lewis and more than 150 of Houston’s top philanthropists and socialites for Best Buddies. The event included a live and silent auction, gourmet dinner and an entertaining Q&A session with Spacey. In total, more than $600,000 was raised to help promote Best Buddies’ mission of friendship, leadership development and employment opportunities for people with IDD.
9th ANNUAL BEST BUDDIES DALLAS GALA The Dallas Gala, with long-time Best Buddies supporters Jan and Jeff Rich serving as Honorary Chairs, was an incredible event featuring a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, and a private concert. Each year more than 400 prominent guests from Dallas and around the world, including business
support Best Buddies' endeavors in Texas.
SIGNATURE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 28
National Events 2015BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE : HYANNIS PORTMAY 30, 2015
Boston & Hyannis Port, Massachusetts
The Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, chaired by Tom Brady, is a 100, 50, or 20-mile cycling adventure from Boston to Hyannis Port, with an optional 5K run/walk chaired by Olympian Carl Lewis. The event kicked off with the Tom Brady Football Challenge, and concluded with celebrity tandem races, a celebratory clambake and a private concert by the musical group, 38 Special.
BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE : HEARST CASTLE SEPTEMBER 12, 2015
Carmel & San Simeon, California
The Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, co-chaired by Maria Shriver and Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom, is a 100, 62, 30, or 15-
renowned Hearst Castle in San Simeon, with an optional 5K run/walk led by Olympian Carl Lewis. The event kicked off with a Friday night reception hosted by Maria Shriver and concluded with celebrity tandem races, a festive barbecue and private concert featuring the Pointer Sisters at Hearst Ranch.
BEST BUDDIES FRIENDSHIP WALK : CAPITAL REGIONOCTOBER 17, 2015
National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia
The 2015 Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Capital Region is a powerful social movement that supports inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Open to all ages and athletic abilities, the Capital Region Walk has the energy of a big family gathering as more than 2,000 Best Buddies program participants, with and without IDD walk side-by-side to promote friendship and community inclusion.
BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE: MIAMI19th ANNUAL BEST BUDDIES MIAMI GALANOVEMBER 20, 2015
Miami, Florida
The day’s festivities kicked off with the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami, a 62-mile ride, limited to only 50 cyclists. This exclusive ride featured a Tour de France style police escorted peloton with road and intersection closures, support vehicles, and three fully-stocked rest stops. The Challenge was followed by the 19th annual Best Buddies Miami Gala. Each year, more than 800 prominent local and international guests attend this elegant event, including celebrities, athletic superstars, and incredible performers. Guests gathered at the Ice Palace Studios to celebrate Best Buddies while enjoying a gourmet dinner, a top-notch auction and dazzling entertainment.
27 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Financials
2015 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES*
(left to right) Sarah Strohl & Christa Nusbaum,Zionsville High School and Jeanne Frecker &Allyson Milby, Marian University
BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015
ASSETS YEAR TO DATE
Current Assets
Cash in Bank $ 3,135,109
Marketable Securities 1,314,857
Pre-Paid Expenses 460,880
Accounts Receivable 911,681
Contributions Receivable 2,275,181
Grant Receivables 1,394,156
Investments - Deferred Compensation Plan 72,917
Total Current Assets $ 9,564,781
Fixed Assets
Computers 2,315
Total Fixed Assets $ 2,315
TOTAL ASSETS $ 9,567,096
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE
Liabilities
Accounts Payable $ 451,815
Deferred Revenue 868,001
Deferred Compensation Plan Liability 72,917
Total Liabilities $ 1,392,733
Fund Balance
Beginning Fund Balance $ 8,174,363
Total Fund Balance $ 8,174,363
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE $ 9,567,096
BEGINNING BALANCE WITH CURRENT YEAR ADJUSTMENTS $ 8,143,814
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) $ 30,549
ENDING FUND BALANCE $ 8,174,363
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 3029 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Board of Directors
Eunice Kennedy ShriverFounder
Special Olympics International
Honorary Board Member
Hon. Nicole AvantFormer U.S. Ambassador
Arturo Elias-Ayub Director, Strategic Alliances
& Institutional RelationsTelmex Foundation
Hon. Patrick J. Kennedy Former U.S. Congressman,
Founder, The Kennedy Forum
Jose Maria Olle Investor
Ben Silverman Founder & CEO
Electus
Ronald L. BookPresident
Ronald L. Book, P.A.
Aaron GershenbergManaging Partner
SVB Capital
Philip LevinePresident & CEO
Baron Corporation
Thomas QuickPhilanthropist
Becca Cason Thrash Philanthropist
Romero BrittoInternational Pop Artist
Britto Central
Denise Godreau
Baha Mar Ltd.
Carl LewisU.S. Olympic Gold Medalist
Jeffrey A. RichManaging Director
Plumtree Partners, LLC
Dani WarmundGraduate StudentUniversity of N.C.
Nan BushPresident/ProducerLittle Bear Studio
Michael Hardman Ph.D.Distinguished Professor
University of Utah
James LintottChairman, Sterling Foundation Mgmnt.
Katherine Schwarzenegger
Author
Bruce WeberPhotographer/Director
Little Bear Studio
Charles Calhoun Global Ambassador
Best Buddies InternationalAdministrative Assistant
Silicon Valley Bank
Alexander Hernandez-Dessauer
Vice President, InternationalPrograms & Special Projects Best Buddies International
Don List Vice President
Adept Fasteners
Bernie YumanPresident
Bernie Yuman Mgmnt.
Anthony Kennedy ShriverFounder & Chairman
Best Buddies International
BOARD CHAIR
Tom SullivanFounder & Acting CEO
Lumber Liquidators
Gerard A. Klingman, CFPPresident
Klingman & Associates
John P. OswaldPresident & CEO
Capital Trust Group
Brad BlankAttorney
Brad Blank & Associates, Inc.
BOARD SECRETARY
Robert FriedmanPartner
Holland & Knight
BOARD TREASURER
Keith Allen HaringPop Artist
Creator of the Best Buddies Logo
Honorary Board Member
Executive Team
Anthony Kennedy ShriverFounder & Chairman
John M. CarlinSenior Director
Major Gifts & Planned Giving
JR FryVice President
State Development
Lisa DerxVice President
Government Relations
Julie TorresVice President
Human Resources & Operations
Alexander Hernandez-Dessauer
Vice President International Programs
& Special Projects
Scott TracyVice President
Challenges, Special Events, & Sponsor Relations
David QuilleonSenior Vice President Global Mission, State
Development & Operations
Mark LewisVice PresidentMarketing &
Strategic Development
Mark J. WylieVice President
Talent Relations
Natalie Van EronVice President
National Development & Miami Challenge
Jen MillerSenior Vice PresidentFinance & Operations
OUR LEADERS
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 3231 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Meet Our SupportersCORPORATIONS
$250,000 to $499,999Alex and Ani, LLC
Emerson Collective
$100,000 to $249,999Audi of America, Inc.
Carnival Cruise Lines/Seabourn Cruise Line
Fifth Third Bank
Hublot
Mastercard Worldwide
Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P.
Pepsi-Cola Company
QTEGO
$50,000 to $99,999Ares Distributors Inc
BNY Mellon
Cutrale Citrus Juices U.S.A. Inc
CVS Pharmacy, Inc
E & J Gallo Winery
Eaton Vance Management
Hirayama Investments LLC
Manulife Financial
MONTBLANC North America, LLC
Network For Good
Robinson Commercial Real Estate
Santander Bank
SVB Financial Group
TracFone Wireless, Inc.
$25,000 to $49,999Accenture LLP
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Massachusetts
Capital One Services LLC
Compañia de Elaborados de Café ELCAFE
Ernst & Young LLP
Industrial Molinera CA
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Matching Gifts Program
Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design
Litoral Logistics Inc
Mack Cycle & Fitness
ManpowerGroup
Plumtree Partners, LLC
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
RAI Services Company
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Seyfarth Shaw Attorneys LLP
Stona of Georgetown
ZTE USA
$10,000 to $24,99924 7 Sports Management, LLC
Abdo Consulting Group, Inc.
Abdo, Erick & Meyers, LLP
Albertsons Safeway, Albertsons
Companies, Inc.
Atema Partners Corporation
Bank of America Investment Services, Inc.
Bank of America, N.A.
Best Buddies _ Vrais Copains Canada
Bloomberg L.P.
Blum Shapiro
Boich Companies, LLC
Britto Central, Inc.
Cargill Incorporated
Coastal Construction Group
Comm of Mass Trevendor
Crescent Capital Group L.P.
Dade Amateur Golf Association, Inc.
Demoulas Super Markets, Inc
Disney Worldwide Services, Inc.
DLA Piper LLP
DNICORP
EMC Corporation
EM-Power Services, Inc.
Exelon Business Services
FIJI Water Company LLC
First Hawaiian Bank
First Solar
First Tennessee Bank
Florida Blue
Franklin American Mortgage Company
Goldman Sachs & Company
Gruber Hurst Elrod Johansen Hail Shank
Grupo Textil Providencia SA De CV
Holland & Knight LLP
IPN Retail, LLC
Level 3
M & J Management Corporation LLC
Maguire-Maguire, Inc.
Metro Auto Auction
Midland National Life Insurance Company
MindTree
Miramar Ventures I, Ltd.
NextGear Capital
NFL Ventures LP
Nomura Securities International, Inc.
Pilot
Promoter Line Incorporated Festival &
Concert Division
Quicken Loans
RatPac Entertainment, LLC
Raymond James and Associates, Inc
Riemer & Braunstein LLP
Ronald Book PA
Rosetta Stone Ltd
Royal Caribbean Cruises International
Shaklee Corporation
Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A.
Siskey Capital, LLC
Specialty Restaurants Corporation
SPS General Contracting Service Inc,
State Street Bank & Trust Company
Target Corporation
Texas Capital Bank
The Ultimate Software Group, Inc.
Truist
TUUCI
UNF Best Buddies Chapter
Verizon
Viacom
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
WaterStone Bank
Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Wisconsin State Council Knights of
Columbus
Yankee Trader Seafood, Ltd.
YourCause, LLC
$5,000 to $9,999Activision, Inc.
Alliance Financial Group
Alphasimplex Group, LLC
Angels In Disguise
Artisan Pictures LLC a Lionsgate
Entertainment Company
Associated Bank
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
AT&T
Bahia9024, LLC
Bank of Hawaii
BB&T Branch Banking and Trust
Behavior Intervention Services, LLC
Bell Holdings LLC
Brad Blank & Associates, Inc.
Cars.com
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Charming Shoppes of Delaware, Inc.
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Choate's Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.
CI Auto Group Inc.
ComEd
Commerce House, LP
Cox Target Media
Cucinelli Holding Co., LLC
Culinary Publishing LLC
Delaware Diagnostic & Rehabilitation
Center P.A.
Delray Honda
Dior
Discover Financial Services
Dixie Capital, LLC
Dynamic Therapy Services LLC
EBARA International Corporation
Elm Grove Junior Guild
Exelis Inc.
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company
of Iowa
FedEx
Florida Community Bank
Florida Power & Light Company
Fort Bend Junior Service League
Fox Group
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A.
Goldman, Sachs & Company Matching
Gift Program
Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine
Gray Robinson Attorneys at Law
Great River Carnival Association, Inc.
Hattie Hill Enterprises
HMS Insurance Associates, Inc.
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Hudson Valley Lighting
Hyannis Air Service, Inc.
ImageQuest, LLC
Indiana University Health
Ion Bank
Iowa State Council Knights of Columbus
J.E. Dunn Construction Company
Jersey Mike's Subs
JK Group, Inc.
JPMorgan Chase & Co
Junior League of Indianapolis Inc.
Kimmel, Carter, Roman & Peltz, P.A.
Kohl's Department Stores, Inc.
Las Vegas Coffee Investors, LLC
Legrand Wiremold
Lipscomb University
LKJ Management Services LLC
LNR Property/ Starwood Property Trust
Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
Lucas Public Affairs
Marcus Hotels and Resorts
Maury Hills Church of Christ
Mayer Brown LLP
Med Pro Billing
Misericordia Home
Moore Oil Company
National Security Services
Net Conversion, LLC
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
New England Performance Cars LLC
New Era Cap Co., Inc.
Nordstrom
Open Road of Manhattan, LLC
Opportunity Village
OSI Restaurant Partners LLC
Pension Services, Inc.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Poder Civico, AC
Premier Designs, Inc
Race 13.1 LLC
Regions Bank
Reliance Healthcare
Rhizome Productions Inc.
Ridge Retirement Consultants, LLC
Rx For Reading
Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.
Searcy Denney Barnhart Scarola &
Shipley PA
Sonic Automotive Inc.
State Street
Summit Pharmacy, Inc.
Tanton and Company, LLP
The Bank of New York
The California Endowment
The Center For Special Needs Trust
Administration INC.
The Gragg Company
The Mahoney Group
The Meadowbrook School of Weston, Inc.
The PENTA Building Group
The Richard Lovett Trust of 1996
Time Warner Cable
Tom Wood Porsche Audi
Troutman Sanders LLP
Universal Fairs, Inc.
Value Store It
Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
Wimbrey Worldwide Ministries
Wyatt Energy Management
INDIVIDUALS
$100,000 to $249,999Jim Ferraro
Holly & Thomas Gores
Penney & Gerry Klingman
Jonathan Lavine
May Liang & James Lintott
Carol and Dennis Troesh
$50,000 to $99,999Tom Brady
Romero Britto
Michael Descheneaux
Marietta & Ken Harte
Georgina Hartland
David Herro
Don List
Patty & Bobby Nail
Jan Miller & Jeff Rich
Jackie Soffer & Craig Robins
Nancy & Richard Rogers
Donna & George Zoley
$25,000 to $49,999Mert & Alev Bakan
Maria Capurro
Maureen Daly
Trina & Rob Dean
Edmond English
Luisa & Horst Ferrero
Jan & Jim Field
Eloah & Mark Fisher
Domenic Forino
Gigi & Brian Grazer
Donald Guloien
Barbara & Stephen Hearst
Nancy & Mark Holowesko
Steven Izen
Patricia Kennedy
Marc Leder
Lynn & Ted Leonsis
John Malloy
Brian McCarthy
Samantha McFarland Boles
Cindy & Michael Moran
Annabella & Alvaro Noboa
Mona & John Oswald
Kathleen & Eddie Pearson
Kenneth Reilly
Nicole Avant & Ted Sarandos
Dylan Seff
Joseph Shay
Ben Silverman
Michele King Soffer & Donald Soffer
Sandy & Tony Tamer
Fay & Salim Zakhem
$10,000 to $24,999Ron Abramson
Paulo Bacchi
Robert Beal
Steve Beneto
Rebecca Bowman
John Connors
Arlyn & Stephen Cypen
Kristina Daglio
Dennis Diehl
Ann & L. John Doerr
Joan & Marco Dondero
Lisa D'Urso
Joseph Eisler
Martin Ellen
Natalie Wexler & Jim Feldman
Gina Ginsburg
Scott Ginsburg
Tom Godart
Tommy Gosnell
Leo Govoni
Connie & Wycliffe Grousbeck
Anita Hawkins
John Hayes
Gregory Hext
Sally Heyman
Marcus Hiles
Kyrie Irving
David Jagolinzer
CONTRIBUTORS
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 3433 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Meet Our SupportersINDIVIDUALS (continued)
Serita Jakes
Patrick Kennedy
Nina & Robert Kotick
David Lambert
Michael Lerner
Patrick Levantino
Philip Levine
Carl Lewis
Lucinda & Javier Loya
Steve Luczo
Rebekah & Gabe Lyons
Helen & Earl Lysaker
Doug McAninch
Rhonda McDonald
Carlos Migoya
F. Mitchell
Kevin Morales
Janet & Robert Nakushian
James Nentwig
Duyen & Marc Nguyen
Luis Alberto Noboa
Eileen & Ed Nortrup
Jose Olle
Marley & Brett Overman
Cathy & Scott Phillips
Thomas Quick
Linda & Peter Raphael
Craig Rennick
J. Douglas Rippeto
Marilyn & Ronald Rotter
Michael Schlesinger
TC Schuttler
Patrick Schwarzenegger
Randy & Harlan Selesnick
Connie & Joseph Shay
James Shay
Dani Smith
Vincenzo Stankard
Robert Sullivan
Elizabeth & Lewis Swezy
Becca Cason Thrash
Marianne Ulcickas Yood
Judy & Mike Van Handel Family
Patricia Villareal
Nan Bush & Bruce Weber
Christine & Ralph Winter
$5,000 to $9,999Brandi & Brandon Adams
John Adams
Angie & Tom Atema
Lon Baker
Jeffrey Bank
Michael Beaudet
David Belluck
Henry Billingsley
Brian Boomsma
Vanessa & Chris Bruegger
Thomas Campion
Randi Chasen
Rafael Chavez
Alice Clark
Micki & Jay Cohen
Matthew Cohen
Anne Crowley
Bob Cunha
James Daley
Melissa Daley
Tyler Danish
Carole & Donald Dell
Beeni & Devin DeStefano
Mark DeVincentis
Mary Dzuro
Kelly & Doug Eaton
Robert Ellin
Scott Duke Ensell
Jeff Fagnan
Jana & Richard Fant
Dorothy Farrell
Lorenzo Fertitta
Brian Fitterer
Robert Friedman
David Giunta
Diane & Neil Goodhue
Meg & Michael Goodman-Bonini
Carol & Jim Gragg
Jonathan Grayer
Ursaline & Toby Hamilton
Juan Hernandez
Alex Hernandez-Dessauer
Leonard Hicks
Mark Hintlian
Jeffrey Hirsch
Tamar Hoapili
William Hoke
Cheryl & Thomas Holly
Mike Hughes
Kelly Schultz Lauber & Martin Lauber
Cathy & Eliot Laurence
Kathy & Don Lazas
Jeff LeBlanc
Mary McKenna & Mark Leeds
Jeannette Lewis
Christina & James Lohse
Lori & Eric Lorenz Family
Mary Jane Mark & Mark Losada
Jay Luchs
Jason Malcolm
Tina Mirfarsi
Kevin Mooney
Kyle Mooney
Christopher Murphy
Erica & Mark Mutchnik
Marissa Nakahara
Nancy Niles
Mike Nunez
Kathryn Oliver
Maria Olivero
Dylan Olson
Tara & Brian O'Rourke
Elizabeth & Gary Petersen
Kim & Lebraun Premo
Heather Quinn
Vinnie Raponi
Linda Rickman
Robert Sandow
Myrna & Robert Schlegel
Lara Shriftman & Lucas Bacardi Shriftman
Connie & Marty Silver
Alex Simpson
Patricia & Emmitt Smith
Dan Spinazzola
Robert Steel
Michael Szwajkowski
Colleen Tate
Bob Tedrick
Krista Thurstone
Kimberly & Barry Trotz
Larry Wallace
Lindsay & Happy Walters
Lori & Chad Warrix
Evan Weiss
Matt Wojtowicz
Susan Yu
Cheryl Zarella
Mary Jane Zecher
FOUNDATIONS
$500,000 and AboveTelmex Foundation
$250,000 to $499,999Annenberg Foundation
Engelstad Family Foundation
The TJX Foundation, Inc.
United Way of Miami-Dade
$100,000 to $249,999Central Children's Charities
May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
The Caesars Foundation
The Taft Foundation
$50,000 to $99,999Allen Family Foundation
American Endowment Foundation
Ann G. and James B. Ritchey Foundation
Ansin Foundation
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation Inc.
Ashbritt Foundation, Inc.
35 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Burns Family Foundation
Helping Hands Foundation, Inc.
Highland Street Foundation
Liberty Mutual Foundation, Inc.
Resnick Family Foundation, Inc.
Ruderman Family Foundation
Symphonic Love Foundation
The Batchelor Foundation, Inc.
The GEO Group Foundation, Inc.
$25,000 to $49,999Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Bessemer Trust
Cooking With Kids
Drew Foundation
Durham Family Foundation
Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust
Bader Philanthropies, Inc.
Houston Endowment, Inc.
Lennar Foundation
Major League Baseball Charities, Inc.
Miles for Miles Foundation
National Philanthropic Trust
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
New York Life's Community Impact Grants
Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities
Peacock Foundation, Inc.
PG&E Corporation Foundation
Samuel J. & Connie M. Franklin Charitable
Foundation
Schwab Charitable Fund
Tempe Diablos Charities, Inc.
The Gheens Foundation, Inc.
The Lampert Foundation
The Leon J. Simkins Charitable Foundation
The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation
The Mark & Mary Freitas Foundation
The Sharon D. Lund Foundation
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
Watermill Institutional Trading LLC
Wells Fargo Foundation
Westriver Management LLC
Yawkey Foundation II
$10,000 to $24,9991011 Foundation, Inc.
Big Heart Foundation
Boston Bruins Foundation
Boston Foundation
California Community Foundation
Carolyn Foundation
Central Indiana Community Foundation
Charles E. Benidt Foundation, Inc.
Cheshire Half Marathon Foundation
Clark Charitable Foundation
Desert States Charitable Foundation
E. G. Watkins Family Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation
Fourlin Memorial Foundation
Gary & Pennie Abramson Charitable
Foundation
George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles
Foundation
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Ted &
Arleen Koenigs Fund 2
Hawaii Community Foundation
Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation
Kessler Family Foundation
Kevin C. Tang Foundation
KeyBank National Association Trust Division
Kimball Foundation Custody
Lakshmi Foundation
Laurene Powell Jobs Trust
Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Trust, LLC
Maui United Way
M. Wahlberg Youth Foundation
MCJ Management Trust
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding
Trust, Inc.
Mule Family Foundation
Nationwide Insurance Foundation
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Parsen Foundation
Special Kids Foundation
Stackner Family Foundation
State Street Foundation, Inc. Matching
Gift Program
Team Shann Foundation
The Anne and Ronald Abramson Family
Foundation
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
The Cleveland Foundation
The Columbus Foundation
The Comcast Foundation
The Community Foundation for the
National Capital Region
The Craig and Kathryn Hall Foundation
The Discovery Land Company Foundation
The ER Charitable Foundation
The GE Foundation
The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg
Foundation, Inc.
The John and Polly Sparks Foundation
The Laffey McHugh Foundation
The Memorial Foundation
The Tolleson Family Foundation
The Yerrid Foundation, Inc.
Trends International Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
U.S. Charitable Gift Trust
United Way of Central New Mexico
WM NC-Philanthropic North
$5,000 to $9,999Alan & Amy Meltzer Family Foundation Inc.
Aletto Family Foundation, Inc.
Ayco Charitable Foundation
Binnie Family Charities, Inc.
Brees Dream Foundation
Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Inc.
Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation, Inc.
Chloes Cause, Inc.
Community Foundation of Western Mass
Credit Suisse Americas Foundation
CSC Charitable Foundation
Dart Group Foundation, Inc.
Doligale Family Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Doris Woolsey Foundation
Geico Philanthropic Foundation
George & Mary Josephine Hamman
Foundation
Greater Houston Golf Charity
Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Luedke-
Smith Fund
Hometown Foundation, Inc.
Illinois Tool Works Foundation
James M. Collins Foundation
Jana Foundation, Inc.
Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz Family
Charitable Foundation, Inc.
John G. Gosnell & Jean R. Gosnell
Foundation, Inc.
Joseph Briere Foundation
Joseph G. Markoly Foundation, Inc.
Karen Gaffney Foundation
Lamb Foundation
Legacy Foundation
Ohl Foundation, Inc.
Phoenix Suns Charities, Inc.
Prairie Meadows
Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc.
Samerian Foundation, Inc.
Schneider Electronic North America
Foundation
Snyder Family Foundation
Speedway Children's Charities
Steve Tisch Family Foundation
Taco Bell Foundation for Teens
The Apax Foundation
The Community Foundation of Louisville, Inc.
The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc.
The George & Judy Marcus Family
Foundation
The Grainger Foundation
The Hoffman Brothers Foundation
The Holthouse Foundation for Kids
The Katharine Matthies Foundation
The Kimmel Spiller Charitable Foundation
The Mead Foundation
The Mentor Network Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
The Principal Charity Classic
The Slater Foundation, Inc.
CONTRIBUTORS
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 36
Meet Our SupportersGOVERNMENT (continued)
United Way of Southern Nevada
Vanguard Charitable
Warmenhoven Family Foundation
Waukesha County Community Foundation
Welfare Foundation, Inc.
Wilbur and Dolores L. Woo Charitable
Lead Trust
$500,000 and AboveFlorida Department of Education
Illinois Department of Human Services
$100,000 to $249,999Arkansas Department of Human Services
Connecticut Department of
Developmental Services
Hawaii Department of Education
Indiana Department of Education
Maryland Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene
Maryland State Department of Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
New Mexico Public Education Department
Texas Education Agency
$50,000 to $99,999Arizona Department of Education
City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii
Maui County, Hawaii Department of
Housing and Human Concerns
Management and Budget
Utah Department of Health and Human
Services
$25,000 to $49,999East Arkansas Planning and Development
District
Miami-Dade County, Florida School Board
Montgomery County, Maryland Department
of Human Services
Secondary Commissioner
$10,000 to $24,999Anne Arundel County, MarylandBoston, Massachusetts Public SchoolsDelaware LegislatureMilwaukee County, Wisconsin Department of Human Services
$5,000 to $9,999Butler County, Ohio Board of
Developmental Disabilities
City of Alexandria, Virginia
City of Falls Church, Virginia
Greene County, Ohio Board of
Developmental Disabilities
IN-KIND
$500,000 and AboveTom Brady
Hearst Corporation*
Jan Miller & Jeff Rich
Maria Shriver
Becca Cason Thrash & John Thrash
$250,000 to $499,999Joanne Jaxtimer
Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III
Silicon Valley Bank
$100,000 to $249,999Aaron Gershenberg
Bicycling Magazine
Caesars Entertainment
Cannondale
CBS Radio/98.5 The Sports Hub
Clear Channel
Comcast
Goorin Bros
Guy Fieri
Maureen & John Hailer
Penney & Gerry Klingman
Romero Britto
San Francisco Chronicle
Sara & Ugo Colombo
Seyfarth Shaw
$50,000 to $99,999Accenture Federal Services
CBS/KPIX
Cooking with Kids
E. & J. Gallo Winery
Alexander Hernandez-Dessauer
Tara & Kenn Hitchcock-Francis
NBC/WHDH
Pilot Freight Services
Quail Lodge & Golf Club
$25,000 to $49,99990.9 WBUR
Audi
Aventura Worldwide Transportation
Service
Boston Globe
Catherine-Anne & Patrick Markert
Classic Party Rentals
Gary Fears
Getty Images
JCDecaux North America
May Liang & James Lintott
Michael Meldman
Niche Media
Qatar Airways
Rafael Feliz Jr.
Ricardo Bellino
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
The Soffer Family & Fontainebleau Hotel
$10,000 to $24,999Amgen Tour of CA
Brett Ratner
DJ Neekola
Fairmont Hotel
Gourmet Catering
Harpoon Brewery
Hublot
Kenneth Cole
Kurt Warner Foundation
Link Strategic Partners
M.C. Dean, Inc.
MadisonSouth
MY Skincare
Paul Goldschmidt
Randy Perkins
Swirl Marketing
Syzygy Event Production
The Moorings Village and Spa
Tiffany & Co.
White Line Creative
$5,000 to $9,99994.7 Fresh FM
American Business Machines
Bank of America
Carlton Media
Courthouse Express
Discover Bank
e.frastructure Technologies, Inc.
Edwards Wildman
Evening Entertainment Group
Family Residences and Essential
Enterprises
Fiji Water
Genovese Joblove & Battista
Getty Images
Health Warriors
Jacob Dietz
Jacobs Design
King Dahl Event Design
Lacoste
Ledo Pizza
LGi Linens
Milwaukee Brewers Community
Foundation
National Republic
NextCare
Peets Coffee & Tea
Pepsi-Cola Co.
Republic National
Sonny's Bar B Que
Subway
Tampa Times
The UPS Store
Tribe Multisport
37 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 38
CONTRIBUTORS
TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS
$500,000 and AboveTeam Silicon Valley Bank
$250,000 to $499,999Team Maria
Team Tom Brady
$100,000 to $249,999Eaton Vance
Greenberg Traurig/GT for KT
Patriot Pedalers
Team Audi
Team John Hancock
Team ManpowerGroup
Team Natixis
$50,000 to $99,999King James Buddies
Team Gallo
Team Hearst
Team Marlowe
Team Pepsi and Friends
Team Silicon Valley Bank
Team Swirl
$25,000 to $49,999B-4 / BCCClub
Beacon Consulting
Best Buddies Helping Best Buddies
Holland & Knight
Merrill Lynch & Friends
Seyfarth Shaw
Team Caleb
Team Energi
Team Guess
Team Henry
Team Jacob
Team Natixis
Team PG&E
Team Sierra/Olson Steel
Team Sunshine
Team Webcor
University Club
$10,000 to $24,999Team 20th Century Fox
Team 6Fifteen Cyclery
Team Antonio Contreras
Team Audi
Team Avila Bay Athletic Club
Team Baker
Team Beacon Consulting - West Coast
Team Believe
Team Best Buddies Bloomberg
Team Blake
Team Blood Sweat & Gears
Team BNY Mellon
Team Boston Globe
Team Brickell
Team California
Team Carmel Valley Physical Therapy
Team Carnival Cruise Line
Team Cheval Golf & Athletic Club
Team Citizens
Team Colin
Team Connecticut
Team Creekside High School
Team Crown and Anchor
Team CT Biking With Bobby
Team CVS Health
Team Daniel's Dynamos
Team DeStefano
Team Duxbury
Team Erin's Family and Friends
Team Fatima AC
Team Fighting Fords
Team Garden City High School
Team Giant Vampire Squids
Team Grinta
Team Harrington
Team Harry and Karla
Team HB Plant- Booty Booty Walkin'
Everywhere
Team i4cp
Team Illinois State University
Team I'M IN!!!!!!!
Team Jon's Gronkers
Team Kates & Barlow
Team Lakshmi
Team Lexia
Team Lily
Team Main Street Grille
Team Mark's Buddies
Team Mary Ann
Team Maximus Normandin
Team Nestle
Team Nortrup
Team RFICM
Team Roar - Quilleon Family & Friends
Team Ronin's Roadies
Team Rosetta Stone
Team Sadie-Jack Cycling
Team SAP NS2
Team St. Mary's (Alexandria)
Team Starwood Property Trust
Team Tavares Middle
Team The James Gang
Team Toole Time
Team Tour de Badger
Team WILLpower
Team Woodlands Walkers
*Contributors include the Hearst Ranch and Barbara & Stephen Hearst
39 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
ANIMAL SERVICESBark of the Town
Hollywood Animal Hospital
ARTS & CULTUREBritto Pop Art
Park West Gallery
South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center
COMMUNICATIONSAsurion
Conill
Kel & Partners
Participant Media
Relativity Media
Royal Media Partners
Swirl Advertising
Team One
CONSTRUCTION DeMoya Group
EDUCATIONAngier Elementary School
Calvary Methodist Preschool
Chartwell's at Barry University
Dana Middle School
Etz Jacob Hebrew Academy
Institute for Community Inclusion
Pierce Middle School
Rosetta Stone
Temple Beth Am (Pressman Academy)
Trinity MOPS
UMASS Lowell
FINANCE & INSURANCEEaton Vance
Goldline International, Inc.
H.I.G. Capital, LLC
Imperial Capital
MasterCard Worldwide
Natixis Global Asset Management
Silicon Valley Bank
FITNESSBest Fitness Health Center
Equinox Century City
George Mason Aquatic and Fitness Center
Thomas Menino YMCA of Greater Boston
YMCA
FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRYBlaze Pizza
Fazenda Coffee
Fruit Center of Milton
Gardener's Choice
Gate Gourmet
Georgia Nut Company
Grocery Outlet
Hojas Tea House
Independent Purchasing Cooperative
Jewel-Osco
Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant
LongHorn Steakhouse #5352
LYFE Kitchen
Maggiano's
Mariano's
O'Haras Food & Spirit
Protein Bar
Publix
Ralph's
Safeway
Schnebly Redland's Winery
Southern Girl Desserts
Sprouts
Star Market
Starbucks
Stop & Shop
Swine Southern Table & Bar
Tedeschi Food Shops
The Salty Dog
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods Market
GOVERNMENTAccenture Federal Services
City of Doral
City of Hialeah
City of Indianapolis
Economic Development
City of Miami
City of North Bay Village
Department of Developmental Services
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities
Council
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Pleasant Hill Library
SAP NS2
Village of Pinecrest
Weston Public Library
HEALTH CAREAccess Medical Group
Addgene
Bethel Care Homes, Inc.
Cambridge Hospital
Cambridge Nursing and Rehab Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Dr. Patricia L. Carolan, DMD, General
Dentistry
Fenway Health
Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center
Med-Care
Mt. Auburn Hospital
Norwegian American Hospital
Oliver Pyatt Institute
Skokie Meadows Nursing Center
Sodexo at Dana Farber
Sodexo at Aventura Hospital
UNM Hospital
Verus Healthcare
Westside Regional Center
HOSPITALITYEmbassy Suites
Fairmont Miramar
Hilton LAX
Holiday Inn Express
Hyatt Regency
John Hancock
Marriott Burlington
MGM Resorts International
Service Systems Associates
LAW FIRMSGelfand, Renner & Feldman LLP
Goldberg & Rosen, PA
Holland & Knight
Kates & Barlow, PC
Latham & Watkins LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Trujillo Vargas Ortiz & Gonzalez LLC
MANUFACTURINGDasco Engineering
TUUCI
NON-PROFIT/FOUNDATIONSBest Buddies International
Best Buddies Massachusetts
Braille Institute Los Angeles
Futures Explored, Alive Program
My Life Foundation
Special Olympics
Sunrise Children’s Foundation
The Mentor Network
The Salvation Army
OIL INDUSTRYTesoro
REAL ESTATEArroyo Realty & Development
Bergland Construction
Hobbs Brook LLC
John Phillips Property Management
Jones Lang LaSalle
LNR Property LLC
RECREATIONCentral Park Conservancy
Cool-de-Sac
Starland Sports and Fun Park
Presidio Golf Course
Special Thanks The Marketing and Strategic Development Department would like to thank HQ, State and International teams for all of their help in creating this report. This collaborative effort was supported by the entire organization and across all departments. While we wish to thank everyone for their contribution, please also note the following people that played a major role in its development:
Copy and Editing: Jessica Schwartz, Senior Director, MarketingNicole Maddox, Senior Manager, Sponsor Development & CommunicationsKeysha Rejouis, Marketing ManagerMadari Pendas, Communications CoordinatorAnneliese Barron, Senior Director, State Development
Global Statistics: Bill Maurer, Director, Online ProgramsAndrea Schonenberg, Senior Director, Jobs
Financials: Jen Miller, Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations
Design: Vanessa Beltran, Director, State Marketing
Thank you,
Mark LewisVice President, Marketing & Strategic Development
Thank you,
CONTRIBUTORS
RETAILAnthropologie
Aventura Mall
Bath and Body Works
Bob's Discount Furniture
Carson's Clearance Store
Double R Vending
Guess? Inc.
Lowe's Home Improvement
Modell's Sporting Goods
Morgan Memorial Goodwill
Party City
Sports Memorabilia
Staples
Target
TJ Maxx
VERC Enterprises, Inc.
Walmart
SPORTS/ENTERTAINMENT20th Century Fox
Adrienne Arsht Center
Boston Red Sox
Cinemark
Entertainment Tonight/The Insider
Exceptional Theatre Co.
FOX Broadcasting Company
FOX Networks, Engineering & Operations
Lucky Strike
Miami Marlins
Monumental Sports & Entertainment
National Basketball Association
NFL Network
NewTV
Ocean Drive Magazine
Vivid Entertainment
Washington Nationals
XSport Fitness
TALENT AGENCIES Paradigm
United Talent Agency
William Morris Endeavor
TECHNOLOGYAcquia
ArX Solutions
Avid
Enservio
TELECOMMUNICATIONSBrightstar Corporation
Tracfone
WAREHOUSING & STORAGE
Museo Vault
Value Store It
Participating Employers
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 40
41 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG
54 Countries
Africa
Ghana
Kenya
Uganda
Euro
Belgium
Bulgaria
Finland
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Netherlands
Latin America
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Venezuela
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa RicaDominican RepublicEcuador
North America
Canada
St. Kitts & Nevis
USA
OUR GLOBAL MOVEMENT
BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 42
BESTBUDDIES® INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
6 Continents
Oceania
Australia
New Zealand
Asia
China
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Korea
Macao
Malaysia
Mongolia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
VietnamMena
Egypt
Lebanon
Qatar
ope
NorthernIrelandNorway
Russia
Scotland
Spain
Turkey
UkraineUnited Kingdom
s
Global [email protected] Southeast Second Street, Suite 2200Miami, Florida 33131P 305.374.2233 | F 305.374.5305
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | JOIN THE JOBS PROGRAM
BESTBUDDIES.ORG
Katie Meade & Tom Brady Best Buddies Global Ambassadors and Citizen's program buddy pair