Support the Best Buddies Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund

Many of us in the U.S. were forced to celebrate Thanksgiving from afar this year, isolated from friends and family. Unfortunately, that same sense of isolation is felt by millions every day.

For years we have been supporting Best Buddies International, the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation experienced by 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We’ve recently partnered on a new initiative, the Best Buddies Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund, to address injustices to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and people with IDD, which are some of the country’s most marginalized groups. The Fund will create Best Buddies mentoring friendship chapters at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and urban high schools in underserved communities across the nation.

People with disabilities are often forgotten in D&I efforts. Our own research – summarized in the Inclusive Talent Pool Report – found that high-performance organizations recognize that disability inclusion must be part of a holistic D&I agenda. Without it, claims of having an inclusive culture ring hollow.

Today, on Giving Tuesday, we’re determined to change that. To recognize the promise that 2021 brings, and to get it off to a good start, we’ve set a goal of raising $2 million and aim to bring in a significant portion of that amount between now and New Year's Day. We invite you and your organization to join us in reaching this goal.

To find out how, go here to contribute and learn more.

This year, we plan to leverage the isolation many of us felt throughout 2020 and turn it into appreciation and connection for those who have felt this their entire lives. We hope you can join us and support this worthwhile cause.