FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everyone has questions. If your specific question is not answered below, please give us a call at 1-800-718-3536 or email us at coach@bestbuddies.org.
General Questions
What is Best Buddies?
Funds raised through the Best Buddies Challenge benefit Best Buddies International – a global non-profit that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more.
When is the event?
Our event will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Click here for a full Schedule of Events.
What is the event route?
Starting and finishing at the W South Beach, we’ll ride 100 or 75-miles through some of the most historic and scenic locations in Miami, South Beach and Key Biscayne. See Route page for details.
Fundraising Questions
I want to participate, is there a fundraising commitment?
Yes – In order to participate, each participant must commit to raise money to support Best Buddies International. And the more you raise, the more event benefits you’ll receive.
Click here to find out more information on our Fundraising Levels.
Why do you ask for my credit card when registering?
If you do not reach your fundraising commitment two weeks before the event, Best Buddies International will charge your credit card the outstanding balance left towards your fundraising commitment. This occurs regardless of your physical participation on event day.
What happens if I don't meet my Fundraising Commitment and my credit card is charged?
If you do not meet your fundraising commitment and your credit card is charged the balance of what you owe, you will then have until one month after the event to continue fundraising. Any monies which you raise and submit before one month after the event will be refunded back to your credit card. You can get a refund for up to the amount that you were charged. A few follow-up or thank you letters can easily help bring in the additional donations, and then this money would be credited back to the credit card.
How do I fundraise?
To help you meet your fundraising commitment, we provide a wealth of tools. Once registered, you’ll have access to your own fundraising webpage, which you can easily personalize. Your webpage makes it easy for donors to give and for you to ask for and keep track of donations. We’ll also provide you with fundraising materials, including email and letter templates, posters and step-by-step guides for holding your own fundraising events. And, you’ll have the support of a Best Buddies Challenge Coach. We’ve got all the tools you’ll need to not only meet, but exceed your fundraising goal.
Click here to see some of the Fundraising Tools we provide to our participants.
Can I cancel my registration?
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.
Donation Questions
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, all donations are tax deductible. Best Buddies is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our Tax ID number is 52-161-4576.
How do I make an online donation?
Easy! Simply click the donate button in the upper right hand side of your screen. You can choose to either sponsor an event participant or make a general donation to Best Buddies. All donations are tax deductible.
How do I make an offline donation?
Easy! If you are going to sponsor a specific rider, ask them for an “offline donation” form. Make checks payable to “Best Buddies” and send the check and offline donation form to our headquarters:
Best Buddies Challenges
Attn: Alan Sakell
100 SE Second Street
Suite 2200 Miami, FL 33131
To make a general donation, again make checks payable to Best Buddies and send to the address above.
What do I do if a donor hands me a check?
Please mail the check to our headquarters:
Best Buddies Challenges
Attn: Alan Sakell
100 SE Second Street
Suite 2200 Miami, FL 33131
Also, be sure to include an offline donation form so that we may appropriately apply the donation to your fundraising.
Why do you ask for so much donor information?
The data we collect is necessary to create accurate donor records and provide appropriate tax acknowledgement information. The information is not used for solicitation purposes. If you have any questions about the information that is being collected please email coach@bestbuddies.org or call 1-800-718-3536.
What about matching gifts?
Matching gifts are the easiest way to double your donations! Keep in mind, most companies will only make matching gifts at certain times of year. Often it is every month, quarter, bi-annually or annually. This means that even if you put the matching form in today, it might not be posted for a bit of time. Which means, now is the best time to start asking about matching gifts.
