One-To-One Friendships
Integrated Employment
Leadership Development
Inclusive Living
Mission
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Who We Serve
Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
About Best Buddies
The foundation of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer
movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living
for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
About Champion of the Year
Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising
campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local
communities nationwide
Champion Nomination
Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness
for Best Buddies throughout their campaign Our Champions
advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate
countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership
development At the Best Buddies Champion of the Year
celebration, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and
name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
Nominee Commitment
Submit a signed Nomination Acceptance Form
Attend the Candidate Training on September 4
Attend the Champion Kickoff Party on September 11
Attend the Champion of the Year Gala on November 7
Raise at least $3,000 for Best Buddies during the campaign
Be creative, have fun, and bring the Best Buddies mission to new audiences!
Nominee Benefits
Recognition in Press Release and Marketing Materials
Recognition at the Kickoff Party and Gala Event Invitations
for five guests to attend the Kickoff Party
Two tickets to The Champion of the Year Gala
Recognition Plaque
Join the Circle of Champions
Bring the Best Buddies mission to new audiences!
THE KENNEDY SHRIVER COMMITMENT
For more than half a century, the Kennedy family has been at the forefront of global efforts to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Starting with the family matriarch Rose Kennedy, the Kennedys have always been strong proponents of helping individuals with IDD, who for years were shut away, powerless to change society’s negative perception of them.
President John F. Kennedy founded the first President’s Committee on Mental Retardation. He also welcomed a person with IDD to the White House, thus becoming the first head of state anywhere in the world to receive a person with IDD as an official guest
His sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was the founder and driving force of the Special Olympics Mrs Shriver also served as a board member of Best Buddies International in continued support of her son Anthony’s efforts to enhance the opportunities available to people with IDD. Her husband, the late Sargent Shriver, the first Director of the Peace Corps, was also an active supporter of Best Buddies for many years.
Influenced by his family’s commitment to the issues of individuals with IDD, Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded Best Buddies International in 1989 at Georgetown University. Under Anthony’s leadership, Best Buddies has expanded its programs across the United States and internationally, creating a positive impact on the lives of millions of people with and without disabilities worldwide.
President Kennedy presents a pen to sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver after signing Maternal, Child Health and Mental Retardation Bill - The White House, October 1963
E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R $ 2 5 , 0 0 0 +
As the Presenting Sponsor, you will receive
Pre-Event
A dedicated social media post announcing you as the Presenting Sponsor on the Best Buddies in Ohio Instagram and Facebook pages with more than 4,500 followers
Your logo, organization, or name listed as the Presenting Sponsor on event marketing, including the website, e-mails, physical save the date and official invitation mailings, social media, and press that may be associated with the event
The opportunity to speak at the Kickoff Party on September 11 with special recognition
Your logo linked to your company website from the event website Event Day
Priority seating for twenty (20) guests at two tables
The opportunity to order five bottles of complimentary wine delivered to each of your tables (The wine must be ordered by 10/10.)
Prominent display of logo/organization/name throughout the event, including a 45-second video spot highlighting your company, organization, or family during the event program
The opportunity to speak during the event program
The opportunity to provide branded centerpieces on tables
Post Event
The opportunity for a dedicated thank you email from the Title Sponsor to event registrants. (Must be sent from Best Buddies, no later than two months after the event. Content is subject to approval by Best Buddies. Must be suitable for attendees under the age of 18.)
Best Buddies Friendship participants
The opportunity to co-host one Best Buddies Citizens event in Cuyahoga County. These are social events for adult
Your logo/organization/name listed on the ‘Thank You’ e-mail blast
Your logo/organization/name listed on the Champion of the Year: Cleveland website for five months after the event
As a Signature Sponsor, you will receive…
Pre-Event
Your logo, organization, or name listed as a Signature Sponsor on event marketing, including the website,
e-mails, physical save the date and official invitation mailings, social media, and press associated with the event
The opportunity to attend the Kickoff Party on September 11 with special recognition
Your logo linked to your company website from the event website
Event Day
Seating for 16 guests at two tables
The opportunity to order four bottles of complimentary wine delivered to each of your tables (The wine must be ordered by 10/10.)
Logo/organization/name listed on all event signage
Prominent feature on the mobile bidding website
Post Event
Your name mentioned during event remarks, and your logo included in the digital presentation during the event
The opportunity to select one area of the event to be featured Select from (1) branded cocktail napkins at the two open bars, (2) branded light-up bracelets for donors at the event, (3) branded mint tins to go in cars at valet, (4) brand one activity at the event such as friendship bracelet station (at donor’s cost), or (5) special recognition as the official auctioneer sponsor
Your logo/organization/name listed on the ‘Thank You’ e-mail blast Your logo/organization/name listed on the Champion of the Year: Cleveland website for five months after the event S p e c i a l n
D o n a t e a n a u c t i o n i t e m t h a t y o u m a y a l r e a d y h a v e !
D o y o u o r y o u r c o m p a n y h a v e a s u i t e f o r a s p o r t i n g e v e n t ?
T i c k e t s t o P l a y h o u s e S q u a r e ? V a c a t i o n h o m e i n F l o r i d a ?
I n c l u d e t h e m i n y o u r d o n a t i o n f o r a d d i t i o n a l r e c o g n i t i o n .
As a Platinum Sponsor, you will receive
Pre-Event
Your logo/organization/name listed as a Platinum Sponsor on event marketing, including the website, e-mails,
physical save-the-date and official invitation mailings, social media, and press that may be associated with the event
The opportunity to attend the Kickoff Party on September 11
Your logo linked to your company website from the event website
Event Day
Seating for 16 guests at two tables
The opportunity to order four bottles of complimentary wine delivered to each of your tables (The wine must be
ordered by 10/10 )
Your name mentioned during event remarks, and your logo included in the digital presentation during the event
Logo/organization/name listed on all event signage
Prominent feature on the mobile bidding website
Post Event
Your logo/organization/name listed on the ‘Thank You’ e-mail blast
Your logo/organization/name listed on the Champion of the Year: Cleveland website
As a Gold Sponsor, you will receive
Pre-Event
Your logo/organization/name listed as a Gold Sponsor on event marketing, including
save-the-date and official invitation mailings, social media, and press that may be associated with the event
The opportunity to attend the Kickoff Party on September 11
Event Day Seating for ten guests at one table
The opportunity to order five bottles of complimentary wine delivered to your table (The wine must be ordered by 10/10 )
Your name mentioned in event remarks, and logo included in the digital presentation during the event
Your logo/organization/name listed on all event signage
Post Event
Your logo/organization/name listed on the ‘Thank You’ e-mail blast
Your logo/organization/name listed on the Champion of the Year: Cleveland website for five months after the event
Seating for one guest
Complimentary valet parking
Open bar
Gourmet dinner
Mobile bidding access
Dancing
*All benefits are based on availability and date of commitment
*Tables are limited to eight or ten seats, additional seats will be charged accordingly
(please circle one):
SIGNATURE: PAYMENT:
(Please make payable to Best Buddies and send to the Best Buddies office below): You can provide CC information below OR process payment online by going to
For More Information Contact:
Catlin Skufca
State Director
CatlinSkufca@BestBuddies org
813-514-5818 /cleveland
