In the fall of 1987, while a student at Georgetown University, Best Buddies founder and chairman, Anthony K. Shriver saw the immense amount of talent existing on campuses that, if properly directed, could make a real difference in the community.
Shriver conceived the idea of channeling the untapped desire for service that many college students possessed toward improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
That first chapter provided an opportunity for 52 Georgetown students and 52 people with IDD from the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Institute to become friends. In 1989, upon graduation from college, Shriver incorporated Best Buddies into a national non- profit organization.
1989
Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Best Buddies of America becomes the country's first national, unified, social and recreational program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The Western Regional office was opened in Los Angeles, California.
33 college chapters were chartered for the 1989-1990 academic year.
1990
In February, the Midwest Regional office was opened in Chicago, Illinois.
In July, a third office opened serving the Eastern Region. This office was first located in New York City and later moved to Washington, D.C.
Best Buddies hosted the first National Leadership Conference at Pepperdine University in California, providing training to 100 carefully chosen student leaders from 100 campuses around the nation.
Best Buddies Art Company was created to garner the support and creativity of internationally renowned artists. The Images of Friendship series was developed, raising more than $5 million to date, including masterpieces by Haring, Lichtenstein and Rauschenberg.
In July, a third office opened serving the Eastern Region. This office was first located in New York City and later moved to Washington, D.C.
66 colleges and universities were chartered for the 1990-1991 academic year.
1991
In April, the Southern Regional office opened in Atlanta, Georgia.
Best Buddies hosted two Leadership Conferences, one for college student leaders at Georgetown University in June, and another for leaders with IDD at Georgetown University in August.
111 colleges and universities were chartered for the 1991-1992 academic year.
1994 - 1998
Best Buddies launches Best Buddies Jobs, a supported employment program, targeting high-paying, white-collar jobs for people with intellectual disabilities in Florida, California, and Massachusetts.
Best Buddies establishes Best Buddies High Schools, with the goal of pairing special education students in one-to-one friendships with high school volunteers.
Best Buddies Middle Schools’ pilot program is launched, reaching out to an even younger age group with the hope that inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities will have a lasting effect on societal norms for the next generation.
1999 - 2006
e-Buddies® is launched as a cutting-edge online friendship program.
Maria Shriver writes a landmark book about friendships with people with intellectual disabilities titled, "What’s Wrong With Timmy?" with proceeds benefiting Best Buddies.
Best Buddies launches most successful fundraising event in its history, the nationally televised inaugural Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, chaired by California First Lady Maria Shriver, a 100-mile bike ride along the Pacific Coast Highway.
For the first time, Best Buddies has programs in all 50 of the United States and on six continents.
2007 - 2010
Best Buddies International and German luxury car manufacturer Audi launch five-year, international partnership.
Best Buddies celebrates 20 years of friendships and jobs.
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).Best Buddies celebrates 20 years of friendships and jobs.
For the first time, Best Buddies has programs in 50 countries around the world.
Best Buddies Ambassadors becomes Best Buddies seventh formal program, promoting leadership and self-advocacy among people with IDD.
