Best Buddies International Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
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 and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Income
- $48.3 million
- Spending
- $46.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 8.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 539
- Volunteers
- 137,346
- Highest pay
- $663,522, chairman
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $27.3 million spent. The Best Buddies International Friendship Programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through six unique programs: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, and e-Buddies. Best Buddies has grown from a single college program, started at Georgetown University in 1989, and has grown to 3,738 global chapters and is active in 46 countries.Best Buddies School Programs: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, and Colleges Through our school-based programs, Best Buddies creates an inclusive community for students with IDD, helping them become socially integrated with their peers at every age. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that enhance their educational experience. Elementary Schools: Launched in 2022, Best Buddies Elementary Schools builds connections and community between young students with and without IDD through inclusive activities and social-emotional learning tolls that promote one-to-one friendship, acceptance, and interaction at an early age. Students participate in both one-on-one activities in their buddy pairs and in group events to allow for optimal engagement and interaction for all members. Elementary school program growth has accelerated throughout 2024, with 585 chapters worldwide with 16,129 members. This is the fastest growing friendship program in the history of Best Buddies!Middle Schools: The Middle School program continues to thrive with 685 schools participating in Best Buddies with 13,619 members engaged worldwide. The Best Buddies Middle School program has maintained growth throughout the year and has positively benefitted from expansion efforts at the elementary school level which increase the pipeline of volunteers moving into middle school. Supported by chapter advisors, every school club is led by two students one with a disability and one without a disability and all members participate in events and group activities throughout the year, offering friendship pairs onsite support and the opportunity to socialize with other program participants. High Schools: Fostering one-to-one friendships between students with and without IDD during a critical period of social and emotional development, the High School program helps break down social barriers at a pivotal stage in a young person's life. As the largest school-based initiative, Best Buddies High Schools currently includes 1,946 chapters and 72,684 members worldwide. In this program, student officers take on a greater leadership role, actively planning events, managing members, and promoting inclusion with guidance from faculty advisors. Through this experience, student leaders build essential collaboration and leadership skills while encouraging school-wide involvement in mission-driven activities.Colleges: In 2024, the Best Buddies College program connected 522 colleges and universities across the globe, engaging 21,755 active members. The program is built on strong partnerships with campus and community organizations that serve individuals with IDD, offering valuable support and expertise to help chapters include members with IDD in all aspects of their operations and activities. As more higher education institutions expand inclusive programs and continuing education opportunities for individuals with disabilities, collaboration with Best Buddies chapters becomes a natural and meaningful way to foster campus connections and enhance the college experience for all students.Best Buddies Citizens:The Citizens program fosters one-to-one friendships between adults with and without IDD within corporate and civic communities, promoting inclusion and helping individuals with IDD become active participants in society. In 2024, the program supported 12,081 members globally and hosted 336 community events throughout the year. Virtual events also provided an accessible option for members with limited transportation, expanding opportunities for connection and engagement. By partnering with businesses and organizations, Citizens strengthens community bonds and offers employees meaningful opportunities to build friendships with peers with IDD.e-Buddies:The e-Buddies program offers a space for individuals with and without IDD to build meaningful one-to-one friendships virtually, connect through the e-Buddies social platform, and participate in online events. Members play a key role in shaping the community by leading virtual activities, creating engaging discussion posts, and facilitating peer groups. Their leadership and involvement help foster a dynamic, inclusive environment where participants feel connected, empowered, and excited about the opportunities e-Buddies provides.e-Buddies by the numbers: Over 2,250 members involved on our community platform Nearly 1,959 e-Buddies matches Over 6,444 members involved in e-Buddies worldwideThrough their involvement in e-Buddies, members build digital literacy and gain confidence in online communication. These skills help participants navigate an increasingly digital world, preparing them for future opportunities in both social and professional settings.
- $1.7 million spent. Best Buddies LivingThe Best Buddies Living program fosters an integrated experience for people with and without IDD to become active, contributing citizens who live independently in a dynamic environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. Best Buddies is currently operating Living residences in the following markets: Washington, D.C. (2); Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; and Atlanta, Georgia; Gainesville, Florida; State College, Pennsylvania; and New Brunswick, New Jersey; Nasheville, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; and Clemson, South Carolina.Residents grow and change immensely as part of their connection to the mission of Best Buddies. Living and learning with their peers is a major component of this growth. By creating a mutually enriching housing model, we have made this journey even more meaningful by creating a truly one-of-a-kind inclusive residential experience for our Best Buddies participants.
- $8.1 million spent. Best Buddies JobsBest Buddies Jobs matches skilled, qualified individuals with IDD with businesses seeking enthusiastic and dedicated employees. Through the Jobs program, Best Buddies develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process and provides ongoing support to the employee and the employer.
- $290,237 spent. Best Buddies Family Support offers families the support and resources needed to navigate the journey of raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Eunie's BuddiesEunie's Buddies serves as the pioneering program within the Family Support initiative. Eunie's Buddies pairs experienced parents of a child with an IDD with new parents who are expecting, have just welcomed a baby, or are raising a child up to the age of eight years old who has been recently diagnosed with an IDD. This pairing creates a mentormentee connection and friendship. Eunie's Buddies provides a framework offering parents and caregivers encouragement, emotional support, and valuable resources. Participation in Eunie's Buddies helps families pave the way for a child with IDD to have an education, gainful employment, and a fulfilled life.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1989.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.