Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing 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). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 54 countries around the world. Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, and Inclusive Living — positively impacts more than 1.25 million individuals with and without disabilities worldwide. Best Buddies’ volunteers annually contribute, at no cost to their communities, support services that equate to more than $330 million USD. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with IDD secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.
Our champions raise the funds needed so that everyone can have a best friend.
Best Buddies Illinois Best Buddies in Illinois is the local affiliate of Best Buddies International and offers programs statewide from Chicagoland and throughout Central Illinois. Our programs include Middle School, High School and College Friendship Programs with 151 chapters currently impacting over 88,000 students and adults with and without IDD. In Illinois we currently have the largest Citizens (Best Buddies Adult Friendship Program) in the country. We also proudly support the leadership development of our participants through our Ambassador Program. Furthermore, 81% of adults with IDD do not have a paid job, creating a tremendous need to grow our Best Buddies Jobs Program efforts. We have already placed 50 participants in competitive and integrated employment since we started the program in late 2013, and we are excited to support even more people with IDD through our growing partnerships and professional development programs.
IGNITE INCLUSION VIRTUAL GALA - CELEBRATING CHAMPION OF THE YEAR This friendly competition recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion. Through eight weeks of raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies, our Champions will generate countless opportunities for true friendships, competitive jobs and valuable leadership development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the great state of Illinois. The Champion of the Year campaign will culminate with our Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala in Chicago, with silent auction, food and beverage delivery to Sponsors and VIP guests who register, and dancing to celebrate the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year! Friday, October 23, 2020 | 7-8 PM | on YouTube and Facebook While we cannot meet in person this year, we are excited to announce that we have secured The Old Post Office for October 2021!
PRESENTING SPONSOR $15,000
Recognized as Presenting Sponsor on all Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala collateral (distributed to up to 50,000 contacts)
Candidate Resource Guide Candidate Nomination Packet Donation Request Letters Virtual Candidate Training Invitations
Gala Program Book Virtual Gala Invitations Post Event Materials Post Event Recognition
Recognized as Presenting Sponsor in all event advertisements (E-communications to up to 50,000 contacts) social media posts. Includes one featured social media post on all platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Name/Corporate logo on the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala homepage, individual Champion of the Year fundraising pages and the Best Buddies in IL website (with link to company website)
Prominent display of Name/Corporate logo throughout Virtual Candidate Training and Virtual Champion Kickoff
On-screen welcome at Virtual Candidate Training and Virtual Champion Kickoff event by company representative and prominent display of Name/Corporate logo throughout
Name/Corporate logo on display throughout the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala
Name/Corporate logo on Ignite Inclusion auction site, powered by GiveSmart
A full-color, two-page spread in the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala program book (digital versions sent to all attendees)
Includes TWO fully catered gourmet meals, maximum 6 people, delivered by Blue Plate Catering, at your home or office. Choice of beef filet mignon or farmer’s market vegetarian four-course meals. Also includes up to five (5) additional gourmet boxed dinner deliveries, maximum four people for each delivery on the night of the gala. Entrée choices are same as above and all meals include alcohol
Pre-recorded executive speaking role during the streaming of the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala and prominent display of Name/Corporate logo throughout
Personalized plaque presented post event at a company virtual lunch party with Best Buddies Ambassadors
PLATINUM SPONSOR $10,000
Recognized as Platinum Sponsor on the following Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala collateral (distributed to up to 50,000 contacts)
Virtual Candidate Training Invitations
Virtual Kick Off Invitations
Gala Program Book
Virtual Gala Invitations
Recognized as Platinum Sponsor in all event advertisements (E-communications to up to 50,000 contacts) and social media posts. Includes one featured social media post on all platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Name/Corporate logo on the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala homepage, Champion of the Year individual fundraising pages and the Best Buddies in IL website (with link to company website)
Prominent display of Name/Corporate logo throughout Virtual Candidate Training and Virtual Champion Kickoff
A full-color, one-page ad in the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala program book
Includes ONE fully catered gourmet meal, maximum 6 people delivered by Blue Plate Catering, at your home or office. Choice of beef filet mignon or farmer’s market vegetarian four-course meals. Also includes up to five (5) additional gourmet boxed dinner deliveries, maximum four people for each delivery on the night of the gala. Entrée choices are same as above and all meals include alcohol
Name/Corporate logo on display throughout Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala and featured on auction site
Personalized plaque presented post event
GOLD SPONSOR $7,500
Name/Corporate logo on event invitations to Ignite Inclusion Virtual Candidate Training. Virtual Kickoff Party, and Virtual Gala (distributed to up to 50,000 contacts)
Recognition as Gold Sponsor in a featured social media post on all platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Name/Corporate logo on the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala homepage
Name/Corporate logo included in presentation during the Virtual Candidate Training and Virtual Champion Kickoff
A full-color, one-page ad in the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala program book
Your choice of ONE fully catered meal, maximum 6 people, delivered by Blue Plate Catering, at your home or office. Includes choice of beef filet mignon or farmer’s market vegetarian four-course meals and alcohol. OR, in lieu of in-home catering, up to five (5) deliveries of a gourmet boxed dinner, same choices as above, maximum four people for each delivery on the night of the gala, includes alcohol
Personalized plaque presented post event
S I LV E R S P O N S O R $ 5 , 0 0 0
Name/Corporate logo on Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala invitations (distributed to up to 50,000 contacts)
Recognition as Silver Sponsor in a featured social media post on all platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Name/Corporate logo on the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala homepage
Name/Corporate logo included in presentation during the Virtual Candidate Training
A full-color, half-page ad in the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala program book
Gourmet boxed dinner for up to four (4) parties delivered by Blue Plate Catering on the night of the gala, maximum four people for each delivery. Includes your choice of beef filet mignon or farmer’s market vegetarian four-course meal as well as alcohol
Recognition as Silver Sponsor during Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala presentation
Personalized plaque presented post event
BRONZE SPONSOR $2,500
Name/Corporate logo on Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala invitations (distributed to up to 50,000 contacts)
Recognition as Bronze Sponsor in a featured social media post on all platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Name/Corporate logo on the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala homepage
Name/Corporate logo included in presentation during the Virtual Candidate Training
A full-color, quarter-page ad in the Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala program book
Gourmet boxed dinner for up to two (2) parties delivered by Blue Plate Catering on the night of the gala, maximum four people for each delivery. Includes your choice of beef filet mignon or farmer’s market vegetarian four-course meal as well as alcohol
Recognition as Bronze Sponsor during Ignite Inclusion Virtual Gala presentation
Personalized plaque presented post event
V I P I N D I V I D U AL PAC K AG E S - $ 1 6 5 p e r p e r s o n , M i n i m u m 2 p p .
Gourmet boxed dinner including your choice of beef filet mignon or farmer’s market vegetarian four-course meal delivered by Blue Plate Catering on the night of the gala. Minimum two people for each delivery, includes alcohol
PRESENTING SPONSOR ($15,000)
SILVER SPONSOR ($5.000)
PLATINUM SPONSOR ($10,000)
BRONZE SPONSOR ($2,500)
GOLD SPONSOR ($7,500)
VIP PACKAGE ($165 PER PERSON, MINIMUM 2 PP).
NOTE: Form must be submitted no later than October 9 for food & beverage delivery.
Jack Mayor, Global Ambassador, Naperville, Illinois
For More Information Contact: Jill Sullivan, Director - Development JillSullivan@BestBuddies.org | 312.828.9313