Best Buddies

We are Best Buddies
Join our Global Movement

Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,500 college, high school, and middle school campuses across the country and internationally. 

Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. We have accredited international programs on six continents with additional country programs under active development. Our six formal programs, Best Buddies Citizens, Colleges, e-Buddies, High Schools, Jobs, and Middle Schools, will positively impact more than 700,000 individuals this year.

Best Buddies also is systematically implementing our 2010 Initiative that will witness the organization’s continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute services to the community that equate to more than $170 million USD.

Even though Best Buddies has advanced tremendously in our short existence, many areas of the country and many regions of the world still lack programs to help people with IDDs become part of mainstream society. Our goal is to continue expanding nationwide and at the local community level, while more broadly engaging the global community through our programs.

Established in 1994, Best Buddies Pennsylvania is a state affiliate of Best Buddies International, with offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Today, Best Buddies Pennsylvania has chapters at 3 middle schools, 26 high schools, and 26 college campuses across the state. In 2008, Best Buddies positively impacted the lives of more than 19,000 people throughout Pennsylvania.

For more information about Best Buddies efforts or to create one to one friendships in Pennsylvania, please contact Matt Stehl, Best Buddies Pennsylvania State Director, at (215) 569-0069, or via e-mail at matthewstehl@bestbuddies.org.

You will see information at upcoming PhIMA events, but please feel free to donate on their website as well. www.bestbuddiespennsylvania.org.