Why we require a fundraising commitment:

The primary goal of Best Buddies Challenge events is to raise operating and expansion funds for Best Buddies International. 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 and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). For more information on Best Buddies International, visit www.bestbuddies.org.

With each Challenge event, we have one opportunity per year to maximize the potential funds raised for our organization. These funds are critical to help grow and sustain our eight formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters – that positively impact 900,000 individuals with and without disabilities worldwide.

In order to raise these funds, and because we have a permit limit on the amount of riders/walkers/runners allowed on course, it is imperative that Best Buddies sets a reasonably high fundraising minimum for each event participant. Best Buddies does our best to aid participants in their fundraising efforts. We provide each participant with their very own coach and fundraising page, along with a variety of fundraising ideas and documents. Please feel free to call 1.800.718.3536 and speak to a Coach about registration options.

YOUR FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT

When you register as a participant in the Best Buddies Challenge, you are committing to raise the fundraising amount you selected. This is a commitment we are very grateful for, but also one we take very seriously. That being said, here is some important information about your financial obligation and important deadlines to adhere to.

After registration, you have a 7-day period from the day you registered to withdraw from the event and you will not be held responsible for your fundraising commitment. If, within those 7 days you decide that you cannot make this commitment for any reason, just alert a Challenge Coach, and you will be released from the event. If we do not hear from you within that week, you will be responsible for your fundraising commitment made at the time of registration. Please note: Registration fees are non-refundable.

Fundraising Commitment Deadline (FCD) 

If you have not met your fundraising commitment two weeks before the event, Best Buddies International will charge your credit card (required upon registration) the difference of monies raised from your fundraising commitment. If you reach and submit your fundraising commitment level before the fundraising deadline (FCD), your card will not be charged.

Participants are given one full month after the event date to submit to Best Buddies any additional monies they may have raised post event to reach the original fundraising commitment. After this month, participants will be credited back up to the amount you were charged on the Fundraising Deadline.