Special Olympics New York

What Special Olympics New York does

Special Olympics New York, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 23-7061382) founded in 1969 by Dorothy Buehring Phillips and headquartered at 94 New Karner Road, Suite 208, Albany, NY. It is the largest state chapter of Special Olympics in the United States, providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 51,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities across New York State. The organization operates through nine regional offices and nearly 1,500 community-based training clubs, delivering programming in 22 sports across three competition seasons (Summer, Winter, Fall Games), plus the Young Athletes program (ages 2-7), Esports, the Athlete Leadership Council, and Unified Champion Schools partnerships in 376+ schools engaging 9,000+ students with and without disabilities.

The business model is a privately funded nonprofit that provides all programs at no cost to athletes, families, or caregivers. Revenue is generated entirely through tax-deductible contributions from five primary streams: individual donations, corporate partnerships (Champion, Game Changer, Fan tiers at 100K, 50K, 25K levels with sponsors including Northwell, Wegmans, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Jersey Mike's, and Gallagher), Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) grassroots fundraising (over $33 million raised since 1986 through 4,000+ officers across 400+ agencies), planned giving/legacy gifts, and signature fundraising events such as Polar Plunge and Night of Champions. Foundation partners include Golisano Foundation, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, United HealthCare, and the NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities.

More than 80% of expenses directly support program activities. The organization holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar/Candid and a Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator, and has been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Albany Times Union. Under President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman (since July 2018), the organization is executing its Strategic Plan 2022-25 to more than double athlete participation to at least 71,000 by 2025, targeting the estimated 550,000 eligible New Yorkers of which only ~6% are currently served.

Name

Special Olympics New York

Legal name

Special Olympics New York, Inc.

Website

https://specialolympics-ny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Special Olympics New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the largest U.S. Special Olympics state chapter, providing free year-round sports training and competition across 22 sports to more than 51,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in New York State through nine regional offices and 1,500 training clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports & Disability Inclusion Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific) (MPAKAFAL), Adaptive & Para-Sport Event Organizers (MPAKADAM), Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK), Sports Rehabilitation, Return-to-Play & Performance Therapy Centers (MPAKAJAO), Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Intellectual disability athletics
• Inclusive youth sports
• Unified Sports programs
• Nonprofit sports organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Schenectady

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission of providing free sports programs to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship from corporations at various levels (Champion, Game Changer, Fan tiers; 100K, 50K, 25K levels) providing financial support, employee engagement opportunities, and co-branded marketing.
3. Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR): Grassroots fundraising through law enforcement partnerships including torch runs, Polar Plunge events, Go for the Gold campaigns, and Law and Orders restaurant events. Over $33 million raised since 1986.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from signature events including Polar Plunge, Night of Champions, and various community fundraising activities.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts, bequests, and planned estate donations from supporters.
6. Stock Gifts: Acceptance of appreciated stock as tax-deductible donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition in 22 sports to athletes with intellectual disabilities across New York State, complemented by free health screenings, the Young Athletes early-childhood program, Unified Sports that pair athletes with and without disabilities, and the Unified Champion Schools inclusion program. All programs are delivered at no cost to athletes, families, or caregivers, with nearly 1,500 training clubs and 9 regional offices supporting participation.

Product overview

Special Olympics New York is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of sports and community programs rather than a technology product. The core offerings include the Young Athletes Program (inclusive sports for children up to age 7), Unified Sports (co-ed teams of athletes with and without disabilities competing together), Athlete Leadership Council (leadership development), Esports, Health & Wellness Programs (free health screenings and fitness resources), a Resource Library (downloadable forms and materials), Training Clubs (year-round sports training in 22 sports), and Unified Champion Schools (school-based inclusion programs). All programs are provided at no cost to athletes and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Unified Sports: Program where teams are comprised of athletes both with and without intellectual disabilities competing together
• Young Athletes
• Healthy Athletes
• Athlete Leadership Council

Products and services

• Young Athletes Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 51,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities participate in authentic sports competition annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NorthwellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system partner supporting Special Olympics New York programs and athlete health initiatives.
• Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with thousands of law enforcement personnel across New York State. LETR is the largest public awareness vehicle and grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Includes 50 torch run legs with 4,000+ officers from 400+ agencies. Has raised over $33 million since 1986.
• Golisano FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor foundation partner supporting Special Olympics health initiatives, particularly the Healthy Communities program addressing health disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities.
• NYS Council on Developmental DisabilitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level council partnership supporting developmental disability community inclusion through Special Olympics programs.
• United HealthCare (UHC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting athlete health and wellness programs.
• GallaghermajorOthersInsurance partner supporting Special Olympics New York at the 100K level.
• Mother Cabrini Health FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor health foundation partner supporting Special Olympics NY health initiatives.
• Jersey Mike'smajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner at the 50K level supporting fundraising initiatives.
• WegmansmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional grocery chain partner supporting Special Olympics NY at the 25K level.
• Bank of AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partner supporting Special Olympics NY at the 25K level.
• Tully'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner supporting Law and Orders fundraising events at the 25K level.
• Applebee'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner participating in Law and Orders fundraising events at the 25K level.
• NYC-LI IslandersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey team partnership supporting Special Olympics NY at the 25K level.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Move United: National adaptive sports network providing community-based sports opportunities for people with disabilities (physical, not specifically intellectual). Closely comparable program model — training, competition, and community — for a broader disability population.
• Special Olympics California: The other top-tier Special Olympics state chapter by athlete count. Directly comparable in mission, program mix, school partnerships, and event portfolio; competes for the same corporate donor pool on the West Coast.
• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one friendship and integrated employment programs. Comparable mission-driven nonprofit operating with state chapters, school partnerships, and corporate fundraising.
• Special Olympics Texas: Large Special Olympics state chapter with a comparable statewide model — multiple regions, school-based programs, and signature fundraising events. Competes for similar healthcare and corporate sponsors.

Others

• National Down Syndrome Society: Advocacy and programming organization for people with Down syndrome and their families. Overlapping beneficiary population (relevant to CEO's personal connection) and competes for some of the same family-facing donors and corporate partners.
• JCC Maccabi / Maccabi USA: Jewish-community sports organization running youth sports, Maccabi Games, and inclusive programming. Comparable model of community-based amateur athletic programming with strong corporate and family engagement.
• USA Games Special Olympics (program): Special Olympics USA Games is the biennial national competition where Special Olympics New York sends delegations (e.g., 82 athletes to 2026 USA Games). Relevant as the national competition layer that NY athletes and donors engage with.

Emerging players

• Achilles International: Adaptive sports nonprofit focused on running and triathlon for people with disabilities. Comparable volunteer-driven, community-based sports model with chapter structure, though narrower sport portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics International: Parent organization of Special Olympics New York and the global movement. Sets accreditation standards, licenses state chapters, and organizes World Games; relevant as the governing/brand umbrella that NY operates under.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit with a comparable model of regional clubs, school partnerships, corporate sponsorship tiers, and volunteer-driven youth programming at significant national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SpecOlympicsNY
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRi4jBhF6CAeFU512SyRvmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/155885721899
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/companies/special-olympics-new-york
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialolympicsny
• TikToktiktok.com/@specialolympicsny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 New York