Phoenix, AZ, July 8, 2024 — Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce a generous grant of $25,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to further our mission of inclusion by supporting friendship programs.
Best Buddies is built upon four key mission pillars: one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. With the grant provided by Thunderbirds Charities, Best Buddies will focus on furthering our mission through creating an environment of inclusion and support through our School Friendship Project to ensure students with IDD are empowered to participate in everyday activities without the fear of being ostracized or bullied. This funding will support the existing 57 active elementary, middle, and high school chapters in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area, with plans to expand into 2 more school chapters this school year. This program will help people with IDD form meaningful one-to-one connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities with peers both with and without IDD.
“Thunderbirds Charities is proud to support Best Buddies in Arizona,” said George Thimsen, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “This program allows students with and without IDD to come together and interact promoting an inclusive and fun school environment. We look forward to this program expanding into more schools this school year.”
For more information about Best Buddies in Arizona, please contact State Director, Lisa Cleary at lisacleary@bestbuddies.org, or 602.253.6463.
This grant is part of the Spring 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.