• Why We Matter
    • WHAT WE DO
      • Mission
      • Impact
      • Vision and Goals
      • History
    • PROGRAMS
      • Friendship
      • Jobs
      • Leadership Development
      • Living
      • Family Support
    • MISSION IN ACTION
      • Featured Profiles
      • Videos
  • Take Action
    • Join a Program
    • Hire a Buddy
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Attend an Event
    • Advocate
    • Join Team Rosemary
  • Find Programs
    • United States
    • International
  • Media
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Blog
  • Our Supporters
    • Celebrity Ambassadors
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Government
    • Team Relentless
    • Top Fundraising Teams
  • About Us
    • OUR TEAM
      • Founder and Chairman
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Office & Staff Directory
      • Career Opportunities
    • FINANCIAL INFO
      • Annual Report
      • Where The Dollar Goes
      • IRS Form 990
  • Donate
  • Attend an Event
  • Shop
  • Fine Art
    • Fine Art Collection
    • David Yarrow Photography
  • Members Area
Skip to Content
Donate
Members Area
  • Fine Art
    ▼
    • Fine Art Collection
    • David Yarrow Photography
Shop
Best Buddies International Best Buddies International
  • Why We Matter
    • WHAT WE DO
      • Mission
      • Impact
      • Vision and Goals
      • History
    • PROGRAMS
      • Friendship
      • Jobs
      • Leadership Development
      • Living
      • Family Support
    • MISSION IN ACTION
      • Featured Profiles
      • Videos
  • Take Action
    • Join a Program
    • Hire a Buddy
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Attend an Event
    • Advocate
    • Join Team Rosemary
  • Find Programs
    • United States
    • International
  • Media
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Blog
  • Our Supporters
    • Celebrity Ambassadors
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Government
    • Team Relentless
    • Top Fundraising Teams
  • About Us
    • OUR TEAM
      • Founder and Chairman
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Office & Staff Directory
      • Career Opportunities
    • FINANCIAL INFO
      • Annual Report
      • Where The Dollar Goes
      • IRS Form 990
  • Donate
  • Attend an Event
  • Shop
  • Fine Art
    • Fine Art Collection
    • David Yarrow Photography
  • Members Area
Home: Best Buddies International logo
DONATE

Kennedy-Shriver Commitment

President John F. Kennedy speaking to Congress on behalf of the National Association for Retarded Children.

President John F. Kennedy speaking to Congress on behalf of the National Association for Retarded Children.

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 disabilities – people 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 intellectual disabilities to the White House, thus becoming the first head of state anywhere in the world to receive a person with intellectual disabilities as an official guest.

His sister, the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was the founder and driving force of Special Olympics. Mrs. Shriver served as a board member of Best Buddies International and for 20 years chaired the Auction Committee of the Best Buddies Ball held at her home in Potomac, Maryland. Her husband, the late Sargent Shriver, first Director of the Peace Corps, was also an active supporter of Best Buddies for many years.

Anthony Kennedy Shriver continues the Kennedy commitment to people with intellectual disabilities through his establishment and leadership of Best Buddies International.

Best Buddies International Logo

Best Buddies International

Global Headquarters
100 Southeast Second St, Suite 2200
Miami, FL 33131

Toll Free: 1-800-89 BUDDY (28339)

  • Find a US Program
  • Find an International Program
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Career Opportunities
  • Office & Staff Directory
newsletter
Want to connect
with Best Buddies?

Sign up for our emails

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Privacy & Accessibility Statement
©2025 Best buddies international
A 501(c)(3) Organization