What Special Olympics Illinois does

Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 36-2922811) and the exclusive accredited state program of Special Olympics, Inc. in Illinois, headquartered at 605 E. Willow St., Normal, Illinois. The organization provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across all 102 Illinois counties, organized through 11 regional offices. Its service population includes 22,600+ registered athletes and a broader community of approximately 55,000 athletes, family members, coaches, volunteers, and supporters.

SOILL delivers 18 Olympic-style sports programs including Summer Games, Winter Games, Healthy Athletes, Unified Sports, Athlete Leadership, Young Athletes, and recently eSports. Core competitive events include the Illinois Summer Games (drawing 10,000+ family members), Chicago Ducky Derby, Champions Ball, Polar Plunge, Coaster Challenge at Six Flags, First Look for Charity at the Chicago Auto Show, Row 4 Dough, and the Southern Illinois Ducky Derby. The organization is supported by a wholly-controlled affiliated entity, ILSO Foundation, which administers planned giving and legacy gifts.

The revenue model is diversified across (1) signature fundraising events (Champions Ball alone exceeds $1M annually; Chicago Ducky Derby $700K+ in 2026), (2) corporate sponsorships with a 13+ statewide partner roster including United Airlines, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Dunkin, Jewel-Osco, IL Lottery, Gallagher, and Sloan, (3) individual giving including the Champions Circle $1,000+ annual giving tier, (4) retail fundraising through the Change for Champions program at 180+ Jewel-Osco stores, (5) planned giving through the ILSO Foundation, and (6) in-kind, vehicle, and tribute donations. Pete Beale-DelVecchio serves as CEO. The organization operates without proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or platform infrastructure beyond a standard web and e-commerce presence.

Name

Special Olympics Illinois

Legal name

Special Olympics Illinois

Website

https://soill.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Special Olympics Illinois is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing year-round Olympic-style sports training and competition for 22,600+ athletes with intellectual disabilities across all 102 Illinois counties, funded through corporate sponsorships, signature fundraising events, individual giving, and the affiliated ILSO Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports and Disability Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Spectator Sports (71121), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Para-Sport Event Organizers (MPAKADAM), Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific) (MPAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Intellectual disability athletics
• Special olympics training
• Inclusive athlete development
• Disability community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Normal

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Contributions: The organization receives donations from individuals through its website, Champions Circle annual giving society ($1,000+ annually), monthly giving programs, and general contributions. Donors can give one-time or recurring gifts, with matching gift opportunities available through employers.
2. Fundraising Events Revenue: Revenue generated from signature events including Chicago Ducky Derby (participant fees of $10 per duck or $30 for six-duck quack pack), Champions Ball, Polar Plunge, Coaster Challenge, First Look for Charity, and regional fundraising events. Champions Ball raises over $1 million annually.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial sponsorships at statewide and local event levels, in-kind donations, employee matching gifts, and Employee Resource Group engagement. Partners include Action Truck Parts, Amazon, Brinson Foundation, Coca-Cola, Continua, Dunkin, Gallagher, IL Lottery, Jewel-Osco, Knights of Columbus, RSM Foundation, Sloan, United Airlines, and others.
4. ILSO Foundation and Planned Giving: The ILSO Foundation (501(c)(3)) supports Special Olympics Illinois through alternative revenue streams including planned giving, legacy donations, and foundation grants for non-recurring budget items like USA Games, World Games, and capital expenses such as Tribute Park and technology advancement.
5. Vehicle and In-Kind Donations: Vehicle donations support year-round training and competition. In-kind contributions include facilities, office supplies, professional services, raffle items, and other products and services needed throughout the year.
6. Tribute Park and Memorial Brick Sales: Tribute Park brick and memorial sales provide recognition opportunities with pricing tiers from $1,000 to $5,000 for various recognition levels including 2" x 6" blocks, 4" x 6" blocks, and 4" x 12" blocks on the Athlete Walkway, Team Walkway, Family Wall, Volunteer Wall, and Donor Wall.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Special Olympics Illinois provides free, year-round sports training and competition for more than 22,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities across Illinois, delivering 18 Olympic-style sports programs, state-level competitions (Summer Games, Winter Games, and a dozen-plus state tournaments), Healthy Athletes health screenings, Unified Champion Schools programs, and Athlete Leadership development. Operations are funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events such as the Chicago Ducky Derby, Champions Ball, and Polar Plunge.

Product overview

Special Olympics Illinois operates as a platform organization providing year-round sports training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities across Illinois. The organization offers 18-19 Olympic-style sports programs including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, bocce, bowling, basketball, flag football, floor hockey, golf, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, equestrian, soccer, powerlifting, and eSports. The portfolio includes major state-level competition events (Summer Games, Winter Games, and over a dozen state tournaments), fundraising events (Chicago Ducky Derby, Champions Ball, Polar Plunge, Coaster Challenge, First Look for Charity), and developmental programs (Unified Sports, Healthy Athletes, Athlete Leadership). The organization serves more than 22,600 athletes across all 102 Illinois counties through 11 regional offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Games Annual state-level Special Olympics Illinois competition held in Bloomington-Normal featuring athletics (track and field), Unified cornhole, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, and gymnastics, drawing more than 3,450 athletes and Unified partners, 1,250 coaches, 1,200 volunteers, and nearly 10,000 family members and friends.
• Winter Games Annual Special Olympics Illinois winter competition held each February in Galena, featuring alpine skiing and snowshoeing for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
• State Tournament Series A series of more than a dozen annual state-level Special Olympics Illinois tournaments spanning basketball, bowling, bocce, equestrian, Fall Games, flag football, floor hockey, golf, softball, tennis, and track and field, hosted across Illinois venues.
• Unified Sports Special Olympics Illinois Unified Sports program that pairs athletes with intellectual disabilities with partners without disabilities on the same team to compete together, promoting inclusion through combined sports teams.
• Healthy Athletes Special Olympics Illinois Healthy Athletes program delivering free dental, vision, hearing, and other health screenings to athletes with intellectual disabilities by trained professionals in a welcoming environment.
• Athlete Leadership Program Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leadership Program that develops athletes with intellectual disabilities into leaders, advocates, and spokespeople who serve on boards, influence programming, engage in policy discussions, and model inclusion.
• eSports Program Year-round Special Olympics Illinois competitive gaming (eSports) program offering athletes with intellectual disabilities opportunities to participate in structured competitive gaming events and activities.
• Young Athletes Special Olympics Illinois early childhood program introducing children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities to the world of sports through play-based activities.
• Chicago Ducky Derby Special Olympics Illinois' signature annual rubber duck race fundraiser where participants sponsor ducks for $10 each or $30 for a six-duck 'quack pack' to race down the Chicago River; approximately 90,000 ducks are released annually, raising more than $700,000 in a recent year.
• Champions Ball Annual Special Olympics Illinois black-tie gala featuring entertainment, inspirational athlete stories, and inclusion celebration; raises more than $1 million per year for the organization.
• Polar Plunge
• Coaster Challenge Annual Special Olympics Illinois fundraising event at Six Flags Great America where participants complete 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon distances on rollercoasters to support the organization's programs.
• First Look for Charity
• Row 4 Dough Special Olympics Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Row 4 Dough fundraising event where teams row together on machines or in water to complete 5K, half marathon, or marathon distances while raising funds for the organization.
• Southern Illinois Ducky Derby
• Champions Circle Annual Giving Society Special Olympics Illinois Champions Circle annual giving society for donors contributing $1,000 or more per year via single or multiple donations (credit card, cash, wire, or stock) or monthly giving of $84+; members receive exclusive updates, VIP experiences, and donor liaison access.
• Souvenir Store and Tribute Park Brick Program Special Olympics Illinois Tribute Park brick program (dedicated June 17, 2005) offering recognition tiers from $1,000 to $5,000 across the Athlete Walkway, Team Walkway, Family Wall, Volunteer Wall, and Donor Wall, plus an online souvenir storefront for commemorative items.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 55,000 individuals served through sports, health, and leadership programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jersey Mike'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJersey Mike's Month of Giving campaign raised funds to support Team Illinois at the Special Olympics USA Games. The sandwich chain's communities across Illinois participated in rounding up at the register and making donations throughout March, with funds helping send athletes to compete at the national level.
• Jewel-OscocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJewel-Osco Change for Champions campaign runs in July at over 180 stores statewide. Customers can donate at checkout, with funds supporting sports, health, and leadership programs for athletes. The 2026 ambassador Paige represents athletes and colleagues, highlighting the importance of inclusion.
• Knights of ColumbuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Partner since 2005 with over 40 years of involvement. Presents Winter Games and supports statewide Spring Games. Local chapters fundraise and volunteer at events, grilling hot dogs, awarding medals, timing races, and marching in Opening Ceremonies.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• Coca-ColacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support and sponsorship for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• United AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support and sponsorship for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• Illinois LotteryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• DunkinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• GallagherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• SloanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• ContinuaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• Action Truck PartsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide partner providing corporate support for Special Olympics Illinois programs and events.
• ToyotacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of First Look for Charity event with opportunity to win a 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid.
• ChevroletcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of First Look for Charity event (2026 Chevrolet Equinox prize) and Chicago Ducky Derby (first-place winner won a Chevrolet Trax).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Large national disability services nonprofit delivering programs across employment, therapy, and recreation, including adaptive sports. Comparable as a major disability-services brand competing for similar corporate donors and event sponsorships.

Others

• National Down Syndrome Society: National advocacy and program organization for people with Down syndrome, including connections to inclusive sports. Overlapping audience and corporate donor pool, but focused on advocacy rather than direct athletic competition delivery.
• Special Olympics International: Parent organization that accredits SOILL and licenses the Special Olympics trademark. Not a direct competitor but the governing/brand counterparty and a relevant comparison for mission, governance, and global programming benchmarks.

Direct peers

• Special Olympics Texas: Largest U.S. Special Olympics state program by athlete count, running year-round training, competitions, and major fundraising events. Comparable operating model with significantly larger scale, useful as a growth ceiling reference.
• Special Olympics Wisconsin: Sibling state chapter of Special Olympics, Inc. delivering identical year-round sports training, competitions, and Healthy Athletes programming in Wisconsin. Highly comparable in scale, governance, and revenue model.
• Special Olympics Indiana: State-level Special Olympics program serving Indiana athletes with intellectual disabilities through year-round training, competitions, and fundraising events. Most direct peer because it operates under the same Special Olympics, Inc. accreditation framework with comparable scope, volunteer-driven model, and event mix.
• Special Olympics Ohio: Accredited Special Olympics state program in Ohio running parallel athlete, volunteer, and fundraising infrastructure. Strong comparability on mission, programming breadth, and corporate sponsorship approach.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one friendship, employment, and leadership programs. Comparable in mission overlap and Illinois presence, though focused on social rather than athletic programming.
• Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA): National network providing adaptive sports and recreation programming across multiple disability categories. Comparable in delivering year-round inclusive sports programming, though broader in disability focus and without Special Olympics' exclusive brand rights.
• Miracle League: National adaptive baseball organization with local chapters that provide inclusive play opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Comparable in mission and community-driven sports model but narrower sport mix than SOILL's 18-sport portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SO_Illinois
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SOIllinois
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIllinois
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-olympics-illinois
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialolympicsillinois

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Illinois