PLAN of MA & RI is Named Exclusive Special Needs Trust Partner with Best Buddies of MA & RI

Plan of MA & RI also shows support of organization with $100,000 donation

Watch the video presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiS6WFRiNJQ 

NEEDHAM and BOSTON, MA, and PROVIDENCE, RI, ISSUED MARCH 18, 2021… Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), a nonprofit organization proudly serving people with disabilities and assisting them with preserving assets, protecting access to public benefits, and living well, announced today it will serve as the new exclusive special needs trust partner with Best Buddies of MA & RI.  This partnership is meant to assist people of varying abilities secure their financial freedom so they can achieve their personal and professional goals.

Part of this partnership includes PLAN of MA & RI’s sponsorship of various events and programming throughout 2021 as well as several co-presented webinars to educate participants about special needs trusts as part of their estate planning.

Additionally, and in support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $100,000 toward Best Buddies of MA & RI.  This gift was formalized at a check presentation ceremony held late last month.

“This donation helps all of our participants throughout the states to really go after their dreams,” said Patrick Shaughnessy, state director for Best Buddies of MA & RI.  “We’re so proud to have PLAN of MA & RI as a statewide inclusion sponsor across both states.  Thank you so much, PLAN.”

“The mission of PLAN of MA & RI is to proudly serve people with disabilities, life-long or related to illness, injury or age and help them to preserve their assets, protect their public benefits and live their best lives,” said Joan McGrath, executive director of PLAN of MA & RI. “We are delighted to support the mission of Best Buddies, and to partner with them, as both organizations work daily to help people experience the highest quality of life possible as part of their community.”

About Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (PLAN of MA & RI):

PLAN of MA & RI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with origins dating back to the 1960s, when a group of parents of children with various physical, mental and behavioral challenges assembled to plan for the future. Incorporated in 1971, PLAN of MA & RI is recognized today as an expert in operating Special Needs Pooled Trusts and have 750 beneficiaries and $60M in assets under management.

PLAN of MA & RI proudly serves people with disabilities – lifelong or related to illness, injury, or age – helping them preserve assets, protect access to public benefits, and live well. PLAN of MA & RI is a professional trustee providing quality trustee/fiduciary services to individuals and their families through sound and thoughtful trust administration and compassionate, caring social service support. Licensed social workers assess the beneficiary’s living situation, needs and current benefits and make recommendations and referrals to services that improve the person’s quality of life. 

PLAN of MA & RI has offices at 50 Cabot Street, Suite 206, Needham, MA 02494 and at 331 Waterman Street, Suite 158E, Providence, RI 02906.  For more information, please call (888) 890-7526 or visit www.planofma-ri.org.

About 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, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 54 countries, positively impacting the lives of over 1.25 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, www.facebook.com/bestbuddies or www.twitter.com/bestbuddies

Photo (l-r): Joan McGrath, Executive Director, PLAN of MA & RI, Inc.; Dudley Williams, III, Jobs Program Participant and Ambassador; Michael Heller, Ambassador, Best Buddies; Patrick Shaughnessy, State Director, Best Buddies MA & RI.