





The 25th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala and Champion of the Year is a spectacular and impactful event. This year’s event will honor seven-time Superbowl Champion and Best Buddies Global Ambassador, Tom Brady, and feature a live performance by three-time Grammy award-winning artist, Nelly! Through 8-12 weeks of raising funds and aware-ness for Best Buddies, our Champions will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At the campaigns conclusion, 600 loyal Best Buddies supporters — including business leaders, political dignitaries, sports figures, and celebrities — will gather for an exclusive event featuring a gourmet dinner, dazzling entertainment, and a top-notch auction. The auction will feature a range of items including fine art, dining, sports memorabilia, vacations & staycations, health & fitness, accessories and one-of-a-kind VIP experiences.
Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are routinely misjudged and ignored.
Friday, November 17, 2023
Ice Palace Studios
1400 N. Miami Ave.,
Miami, FL 33136
Dress Code: Cocktail Chic
6:30 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
8:30 p.m. Gourmet Dinner
9:30 p.m. Announcement of
the Champion of the Year
10:30 p.m. Musical Performance
by Nelly

The 25th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala and Champion of the Year is a spectacular and impactful event. This year’s event will honor seven-time Superbowl Champion and Best Buddies Global Ambassador, Tom Brady, and feature a live performance by three-time Grammy award-winning artist, Nelly! Through 8-12 weeks of raising funds and aware-ness for Best Buddies, our Champions will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At the campaigns conclusion, 600 loyal Best Buddies supporters — including business leaders, political dignitaries, sports figures, and celebrities — will gather for an exclusive event featuring a gourmet dinner, dazzling entertainment, and a top-notch auction. The auction will feature a range of items including fine art, dining, sports memorabilia, vacations & staycations, health & fitness, accessories and one-of-a-kind VIP experiences.
Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are routinely misjudged and ignored.
Friday, November 17, 2023
Ice Palace Studios
1400 N. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33136
Dress Code: Cocktail Chic
6:30 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
8:30 p.m. Gourmet Dinner
9:30 p.m. Announcement of
the Champion of the Year
10:30 p.m. Musical Performance
by Nelly
The 25th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala and Champion of the Year is a spectacular and impactful event. This year’s event will honor seven-time Superbowl Champion and Best Buddies Global Ambassador, Tom Brady, and feature a live performance by three-time Grammy award-winning artist, Nelly! Through 8-12 weeks of raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies, our Champions will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At the campaigns conclusion, 600 loyal Best Buddies supporters — including business leaders, political dignitaries, sports figures, and celebrities — will gather for an exclusive event featuring a gourmet dinner, dazzling entertainment, and a top-notch auction. The auction will feature a range of items including fine art, dining, sports memorabilia, vacations & staycations, health & fitness, accessories and one-of-a-kind VIP experiences.
Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are routinely misjudged and ignored.
Friday,
November 17, 2023
Ice Palace Studios
1400 N. Miami Ave.,
Miami, FL 33136
Dress Code:
Cocktail Chic
6:30 p.m.
Cocktails and Silent Auction
8:30 p.m.
Gourmet Dinner
9:30 p.m.
Announcement of the Champion of the Year
10:30 p.m.
Musical Performance by Nelly


Join us in honoring Tom Brady with the Spirit of Leadership Award, the highest Best Buddies accolade presented to distinguished luminaries who have shown great leadership, generosity, and spirit in supporting the organization’s mission.
Throughout Tom’s 20+ year friendship with the organization, Best Buddies has served tens of thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and raised over $100 million for our global programs.
Tom’s support not only helps the organization financially, but also builds Best Buddies’ brand awareness and promotes its mission-based initiatives that create friendship, jobs, leadership development training, and inclusive housing for people with disabilities.
Tom has served as a Best Buddies Global Ambassador and traveled for the organization, hosting and attending events in Boston, Cape Cod, and as far as Qatar. Tom has hosted guests at football games, provides memorabilia, writes letters, makes phone calls, and continues to help Best Buddies with its development efforts by connecting the organization with his sponsors and supporters.
Best Buddies is grateful for Tom Brady’s unending support, and we look forward to continuing the work that we do to create a more inclusive world for our buddies with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the globe.

Congrats to Michelle Kligman and Carolina Rousell, our 2022 Champion of the Year.
Together, they raised $55,094 for Best Buddies!

Meet Our 2023 Champion of the Year Candidates
This group of dedicated Best Buddies supporters are competing to raise funds to support friendships, jobs, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At this year’s Miami Gala, we will celebrate their fundraising efforts and award the top fundraiser the title of Best Buddies Champion of the Year!
To learn more and to support these individuals’ fundraising efforts, click their profile. For information on becoming a Champion candidate, please contact MarthaLagarde@bestbuddies.org.
Sponsors
For information on Sponsorships,
please contact:
Noelle Smikle
Development
NoelleSmikle@bestbuddies.org
Auction
For information on Auctions,
please contact:
Marissa Mann
Manager, Special Events Operations
marissamann@bestbuddies.org
Sponsors
For information on Sponsorships,
please contact:
Noelle Smikle
Development
NoelleSmikle@bestbuddies.org
Fundraising Goal
The fundraising goal for this year’s Gala is $2.6 million in revenue from sponsorships, ticket sales and live and silent auctions.
Thanks to you, we are creating more friendships, jobs and leadership opportunities for our program participants! See what we’ve accomplished — with your support — in the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami and Miami Gala 2019 Impact Report.
Auction
For information on Auctions,
please contact:
Marissa Mann
Manager, Special Events Operations
MarissaMann@bestbuddies.org