About
Special Olympics is a global sports movement for people with intellectual disabilities, headquartered in Washington, DC. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a pioneer in the worldwide struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities, it held its inaugural World Games in Chicago in 1968 and has since grown into a movement serving millions of athletes across seven world regions.
Mission
Special Olympics describes itself as a global sports movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability.
What they do
- Year-round sports training and competition in more than 30 Olympic-type sports
- Inclusive health initiatives, including free athlete health screenings
- Youth and school programs, including Unified Champion Schools that bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities
- Inclusive leadership development for athletes, including the Sargent Shriver Global Messengers program
- Advocacy against the discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities
History
Special Olympics grew out of the work of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, with the first International Special Olympics Games held in Chicago in 1968. Today the movement operates through programs in seven regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa, and North America.
Scale and impact
Figures reported by Special Olympics for its global movement include:
- 4,238,388 athletes and Unified partners
- 366,978 coaches and 777,670 volunteers
- 53,779 competitions held
- 72,468 athlete health screenings
- 20,160 Unified schools globally
The organization is supported by a Board of Directors and celebrity ambassadors including Michael Phelps.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, for fiscal year 2024 (ending December 31) Special Olympics Inc (EIN 52-0889518) reported total revenue of 186,403,463 dollars, total expenses of 168,543,160 dollars, and total assets of 164,249,772 dollars. The IRS issued its tax exemption in July 1969, and it is a 501(c)(3) public charity.