Georgia Special Olympics

What Georgia Special Olympics does

Special Olympics Georgia Inc. (SOGA) is a nonprofit affiliate of Special Olympics Inc., founded in 1970 and headquartered at 6046 Financial Drive in Norcross, Georgia. The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports — including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, bowling, bocce, softball, golf, tennis, soccer, flag football, volleyball, table tennis, cycling, powerlifting, and cheerleading — to children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the state. All services are provided free of charge, eliminating financial barriers to participation for athletes and their families. SOGA runs flagship programs including Unified Sports (pairing athletes with and without disabilities), Healthy Athletes (offering free Fit Feet, Special Smiles, Opening Eyes, and Healthy Hearing screenings), Unified Champion Schools (school-based inclusion programming), and Youth Leadership initiatives.

The organization does not operate a commercial technology product; its core 'platform' is a service delivery network of local programs, school partnerships, and state-level competitions (Winter Games, Summer Games, Fall Games, Southeast Powerlifting). Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy and event-based fundraising rather than fees: individual donations, tiered corporate sponsorships (Premier, Platinum, Civic tiers), cause-related marketing campaigns (Publix Torch Icon, Jersey Mike's Month of Giving, Dunkin' Cops on Donut Shops, Kroger Community Rewards), planned giving, signature events (Golf Classics, Duck Pluck, Polar Plunge, Over the Edge), and in-kind donations including vehicles. SOGA serves roughly 22,000-26,600 registered athletes annually, supported by 11-50 staff and a broader volunteer and law enforcement network, with major corporate backers including Publix, Coca-Cola, UPS, Winter Construction, Knights of Columbus, and Dunwoody Country Club.

Name

Georgia Special Olympics

Legal name

Special Olympics Georgia Inc.

Website

https://specialolympicsga.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Special Olympics Georgia is a Norcross-based nonprofit affiliate of Special Olympics Inc. that provides free, year-round sports training and competition to roughly 22,000-26,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities across Georgia, funded through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and community fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports Programs

NAICS

Other Spectator Sports (711219), Spectator Sports (71121), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific) (MPAKAFAL), Sports Medicine, Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Services (EDALAIAH), Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching) (EDAJAKAC)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Athletic competition services
• Disability inclusion programs
• Nonprofit sports training
• Health screening services

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities. Website-based donation portal and multiple giving campaigns throughout the year.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Premier, Platinum, and Civic tier sponsorships from companies including Publix, Coca-Cola, UPS, and others. Includes the annual Torch Icon Campaign raising funds across southeast United States.
3. Cause-Related Marketing: Campaigns like Cops on Donut Shops with Dunkin' where portion of sales or customer donations support athletes
4. Planned Giving: Bequests, estates, and long-term planned gifts from supporters
5. Event Fundraising: Golf classics, duck pluck events, Polar Plunge, Over the Edge rappelling events, 5K runs, and other community fundraising events
6. Vehicle and Property Donations: Vehicle donation program allowing donors to contribute cars, boats, or other property

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Special Olympics Georgia provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the state, including free health screenings through the Healthy Athletes program (Fit Feet, Special Smiles, Opening Eyes, Healthy Hearing) and school-based Unified Champion Schools inclusion programming. All athlete services are provided at no cost to participants and their families, with funding sourced from individual donations, tiered corporate sponsorships, cause-marketing campaigns, planned giving, and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) is a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform. Its core offerings consist of sports programs, state games and competitions, volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, Healthy Athletes health screenings, Unified Champion Schools programs, and youth leadership initiatives. These are service-based programs, not technology products or modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• State Games Competitions Multi-sport state-level athletic competitions held annually for Special Olympics Georgia athletes, including State Indoor Winter Games at LakePoint Sports Complex (basketball, bowling, gymnastics, floor hockey, powerlifting), State Summer Games at Emory University, and State Fall Games. Coverage includes athletics, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, bowling, bocce, softball, golf, tennis, soccer, flag football, volleyball, table tennis, cycling, powerlifting, and cheerleading.
• Healthy Athletes Program Free health screenings for athletes with intellectual disabilities, providing vision, dental, hearing, and podiatric services through specialized disciplines including Fit Feet, Special Smiles, Opening Eyes, and Healthy Hearing — addressing healthcare access gaps often experienced by this population.
• Unified Sports Program Inclusive athletic programming that pairs Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities with peer partners without disabilities on the same competitive sports teams, fostering inclusive competition, social connection, and shared athletic experience.
• Unified Champion Schools School-based inclusive programming implemented through partnerships with educational institutions across Georgia, combining sports, leadership training, and education activities to promote inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities within the broader school community.
• Youth Leadership Program Leadership development and training programs for young athletes, building self-advocacy, communication, and decision-making skills among participants with and without intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics More Than Sports initiatives.
• Law Enforcement Torch Run Program Fundraising and awareness program conducted in partnership with law enforcement agencies statewide, including the Chamblee Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police, where officers carry the Flame of Hope into Special Olympics opening ceremonies. Major grassroots fundraising driver supporting Georgia Special Olympics athletes.
• SOGA Merchandise Branded merchandise and event t-shirts (sold at approximately $22 per item) made available to supporters, athletes, and event participants, with proceeds supporting Special Olympics Georgia programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24,218+ athletes with intellectual disabilities served annually across Georgia
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Publix Super MarketscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier sponsor of Special Olympics Georgia. Co-branded Torch Icon Campaign raising funds at registers January 12-21, 2024 across southeast US stores. Customers donate at checkout with coupon incentives. Publix has employed athletes and supported Special Olympics for decades.
• The Coca-Cola CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level state sponsor providing financial support and brand visibility for Special Olympics Georgia programs and events.
• UPScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState sponsor supporting Special Olympics Georgia athlete programs and competitions.
• Winter ConstructioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState sponsor and presenting sponsor for 2024 State Indoor Winter Games. Supports athlete competitions and programs.
• Dunwoody Country ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier sponsor and venue host for events including Dunwoody Tennis Day. Provides golf facilities for tournaments supporting athletes.
• Marlow's TavernsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerState sponsor and host of 25th Annual Marlow's Tavern Golf Classic fundraiser at Heritage Golf Links in Tucker, GA.
• Knights of ColumbussecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum state sponsor providing support for SOGA athlete empowerment programs.
• Georgia State Council / fraternal Order of PolicesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCivic state partner supporting Law Enforcement Torch Run events.
• Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with law enforcement agencies statewide including Chamblee Police Department and Georgia law enforcement. Officers carry the Flame of Hope to opening ceremonies. Major fundraising and awareness driver.
• Dunkin'secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Cops on Donut Shops event on National Coffee Day with free coffee offers benefiting athletes. Promotional partnership driving awareness and donations.
• LakePoint Sports ComplexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for State Indoor Winter Games in Cobb and Bartow Counties. Provides sports facilities for basketball, bowling, gymnastics, and other indoor sports.
• Emory UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for 2026 State Summer Games and Torch Run kickoff. Provides campus facilities for Opening Ceremonies and athletic competitions.
• Atlanta Marriott NorthwestsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for Southeast Powerlifting competition associated with State Indoor Winter Games.
• Country Club of RoswellsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for 31st Annual Bob Busse Memorial Golf Classic supporting Special Olympics Georgia athletes.
• Garland Mountain Sporting ClayssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for Shoot for Champions clay shooting tournament benefiting athletes.
• Jersey Mike'ssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMonth of Giving campaign in March supporting 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and state programs attending. Day of Giving donates 100% of sales.
• KrogersecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Rewards program allowing customers to designate donations to Special Olympics Georgia through Kroger card linkage.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Special Olympics North America (other state affiliates): Other U.S. state-level Special Olympics affiliates (e.g., Special Olympics Texas, California, Florida) operate the same model — year-round training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities — with comparable sponsorship, Torch Run, and Games structures.
• Special Olympics USA: National-level Special Olympics body that aggregates state affiliates like SOGA for USA Games and federal/international funding; directly comparable in mission, athlete population, and programming.
• Move United (Disabled Sports USA): National nonprofit providing adaptive sports opportunities to people with disabilities (physical, intellectual, sensory). Comparable in mission delivery, volunteer-driven model, and chapter-based state network structure.
• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one friendships, leadership, and inclusive employment. Comparable donor base, IDD-focused mission, and state-program structure.
• The Arc of the United States: National disability-rights organization with state and local chapters serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable chapter-based delivery, advocacy mission overlap, and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics International: Global parent organization overseeing all national and state Special Olympics programs including SOGA. Comparable mission at global scale; sets programming and accreditation standards SOGA follows.
• Paralympic Sport USA (U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee): National federation for elite Paralympic athletes with disabilities. Comparable mission of advancing sports for disabled populations, though focused on elite competition rather than grassroots year-round programming.

Emerging players

• National Down Syndrome Society: National nonprofit advocating for people with Down syndrome and their families, including through fitness and inclusive programming. Overlaps with SOGA's IDD athlete base but focuses on advocacy and community programming rather than competitive sports.
• National Sports Center for the Disabled: Colorado-based nonprofit providing adaptive sports instruction and competition. Comparable adaptive-sports mission, free-to-participant model, and year-round programming structure.

Regional players

• YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta: Regional YMCA offering adaptive sports, inclusion programming, and youth athletics in Georgia. Comparable Georgia footprint and adaptive-youth programming, though embedded within a broader fitness/membership organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sogachampions
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3NX3--UW0u789JyArSXP6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/150457788357225
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-olympics-georgia
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialolympicsgeorgia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Special Olympics