Special Olympics Wisconsin

What Special Olympics Wisconsin does

Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI, legally Special Olympics Wisconsin, Inc.) is a Madison-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 and affiliated with the global Special Olympics movement established by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. The organization delivers year-round sports training and athletic competition in 19 Olympic-type sports for thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state of Wisconsin, organized through seven geographic regions and 125+ accredited local programs. Programming is delivered at no cost to athletes and extends beyond competition to include Young Athletes (ages 2–10), Unified Sports, Unified Champion Schools, SO College, Athlete Leadership, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

Beyond sports, SOWI operates a significant health portfolio, headlined by the Healthy Athletes program, which delivers nearly 1,800 free health screenings annually across eight disciplines using 300+ credentialed healthcare volunteers. Complementary initiatives include the SOfit wellness program, the Inclusive Health Initiative (which trains healthcare professionals in partnership with the State of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin–Central Wisconsin Campus), and participation in the Golisano Foundation– and CDC-funded Rosemary Collaboratory for IDD health equity. Major annual events include Spring Games (UW-Oshkosh), Summer Games (UW-Whitewater), Fall Games (DeForest), and State Bowling (Dale's Weston Lanes).

SOWI's revenue model is donation-driven and diversified across individual giving (one-time, recurring, planned, and memorial gifts), a Wisconsin state tax checkoff program, corporate sponsorships (Jersey Mike's, Culver's, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Delta Dental WI Foundation, Ho-Chunk Gaming, among others), grants (Golisano Foundation, CDC), and third-party fundraising events. Pricing to end athletes is freemium (zero cost, no denial based on economic circumstances). The organization is independently governed by a Board of Directors, led by President & CEO Chad Hershner and CFO/COO Janel Ray, and does not have a parent company or equity ownership.

Name

Special Olympics Wisconsin

Legal name

Special Olympics Wisconsin, Inc.

Website

https://specialolympicswisconsin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Special Olympics Wisconsin is a Madison-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free year-round sports training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports to individuals with intellectual disabilities statewide, alongside health, leadership, and unified school/college programs funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive / Disability Sports Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Para-Sport Event Organizers (MPAKADAM), Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific) (MPAKAFAL), Sports Medicine, Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Services (EDALAIAH)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Intellectual disability athletics
• Unified sports leagues
• Special needs competitions
• Inclusive youth sports

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, including one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, and tribute/memorial gifts. EIN: 39-1176591.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partnerships providing financial support through workplace giving campaigns, event sponsorships, employee engagement programs, and volunteer opportunities. SOWI references a dedicated corporate sponsorship team.
3. Tax Checkoff Program: Wisconsin state income tax form designation allowing taxpayers to make direct donations to Special Olympics Wisconsin during tax season.
4. Planned Giving: Estate planning vehicles including bequests and planned gifts that create lasting impact for the organization.
5. Third-Party Fundraising: Community-hosted fundraising events and activities where organizers raise funds with SOWI as beneficiary. Requires application and approval for name/logo usage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Special Olympics Wisconsin delivers year-round sports training and athletic competition in 19 Olympic-type sports to thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities across Wisconsin, organized across four seasonal cycles (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). Participation is provided free of charge, with supplementary programming including Young Athletes (ages 2-10), Unified Sports, Unified Champion Schools, SO College, Athlete Leadership, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Healthy Athletes free health screenings (~1,800 annually), SOfit wellness, and Inclusive Health training.

Product overview

Special Olympics Wisconsin is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs rather than a unified tech product. The core offering consists of year-round sports training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, organized across four seasonal cycles (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). Supporting programs include Young Athletes (ages 2-10), Unified Sports (connecting athletes with and without disabilities), Unified Champion Schools, SO College, Athlete Leadership, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Health initiatives encompass the Healthy Athletes program with eight screening disciplines, SOfit wellness, Inclusive Health training, and the Rosemary Collaboratory international initiative. Major annual events include Spring Games (Oshkosh), Summer Games (Whitewater), Fall Games (DeForest), and State Bowling. The organization operates through seven geographic regions managing local programs across Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sports Training and Competition Program Year-round sports training and athletic competition in 19 Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, organized into four seasonal cycles (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) with progression from local training through regional and state competitions.
• Young Athletes Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,800 free health screenings provided annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jersey Mike'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate sponsor with Day of Giving campaign. 10% of customer bills donated on designated days. SOWI presence at events. Caroline Jones, SVP, quoted on partnership impact.
• Delta Dental WI FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Special Smiles program at Spring Games, supporting free dental screenings for athletes.
• Wisconsin Ho-Chunk GamingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGaming partner sponsoring Fall Games and State Bowling events.
• ThriventminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services company sponsoring Fall Games and State Bowling.
• Dunkin' DonutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonut sponsor for Spring Games events.
• KrieteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Spring Games events.
• Knights of ColumbusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCivic organization sponsoring Spring Games.
• Wisconsin PaktminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWisconsin foundation sponsoring Spring Games.
• MuellerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Fall Games and State Bowling.
• Our TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Spring Games.
• BaderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Summer Games.
• SpartanNash FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation sponsor for Summer Games.
• Sensient TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Summer Games.
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Summer Games at Williams Center and athletic facilities. Track & Field events held at Palmyra-Eagle High School.
• University of Wisconsin-OshkoshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Spring Games at Albee Hall and Kolf Sports Center.
• Lions Club International FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Opening Eyes vision screening program at Summer Games.
• Medical College of Wisconsin – Central Wisconsin CampusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to deliver Inclusive Health training to medical students, building skills for inclusive care of patients with intellectual disabilities.
• Horizon LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 24 Hours of Nothing But Net initiative supporting unified sports across member institutions January 11-17.
• Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw enforcement partner administering WPPA Volunteer of the Year award and supporting LETR initiatives statewide.
• Dale's Weston LanescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for State Bowling tournament.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Special Olympics Illinois: State-level Special Olympics affiliate operating in Illinois with an essentially identical mission, program portfolio (sports training, Healthy Athletes, Unified Champion Schools, LETR), and revenue model (donations + corporate sponsorship), making it the closest comparable chapter to Special Olympics Wisconsin.
• Special Olympics Minnesota: Neighboring state-level Special Olympics affiliate serving Minnesota with the same athlete population (intellectual disabilities), same sport lineup, and same fundraising structure, providing a directly comparable benchmark for SOWI on program scale, regional structure, and donor economics.
• Special Olympics Michigan: Upper Midwest state-level Special Olympics affiliate with overlapping geography, similar population base, and the same global Special Olympics operating model—useful for benchmarking Wisconsin on athlete counts, event scale, and corporate sponsorship patterns.
• Move United: National nonprofit (formerly Disabled Sports USA) advancing adaptive sports and recreation across physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities; competes for similar donors, volunteers, and athletes with a multi-sport portfolio analogous to SOWI's 19 Olympic-type sports.
• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit focused on one-to-one friendships, leadership development, and inclusive jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; overlaps with SOWI's Athlete Leadership and Unified programming and competes for similar corporate and individual donor pools.
• Special Olympics Iowa: Another state-level Special Olympics chapter with comparable scale, population base, and Midwest economics; provides a peer benchmark on regional structure (counties, local programs) and corporate sponsor mix for adaptive sports nonprofits in the region.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics International: Global headquarters of the Special Olympics movement founded in 1968; acts as the accrediting body, brand licensor, and aggregator for all state programs including SOWI, and is the upstream recipient/shareholder of the SOWI brand and accreditation.

Emerging players

• BlazeSports America: Adaptive and Paralympic sport organization serving youth and adults with physical disabilities through multi-sport training and competition; comparable mission in adaptive sports instruction and competition, though its primary disability focus is physical rather than intellectual.
• National Down Syndrome Society: National advocacy and programs organization for individuals with Down syndrome and their families; overlaps with SOWI's primary athlete population (a subsegment has Down syndrome) on health programs, inclusive leadership, and family services, and competes for similar mission-aligned donor dollars.

Others

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Wisconsin: Regional affiliates of Boys & Girls Clubs of America operating youth-development programming in Wisconsin; not a direct disability-sports competitor but a regional peer in non-profit youth programming that competes for similar corporate sponsorships, school-district partnerships, and volunteer pools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sowisconsin
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpecialOlympicsWisconsin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles33 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Special Olympics Wisconsin