Special Olympics NV

What Special Olympics NV does

Special Olympics Nevada (Special Olympics Nevada, Inc.) is a Las Vegas-headquartered, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing year-round sports training, athletic competition, health screenings, and inclusive education for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state of Nevada. The organization operates dual offices — a Southern Nevada regional headquarters at 4000 Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, and a Northern Nevada office in Reno — staffed by approximately 13 employees supplemented by 759 volunteers, serving 2,653 athletes and reaching 17,820+ students annually through the Unified Champion Schools Program.

The core service portfolio comprises five programmatic pillars: the Community Sports Program (7 sports, 14+ annual competitions including a Team Nevada contingent for the 2026 USA Games), the Athlete Leadership Program (mentorship and inclusion advocacy), the Unified Champion Schools Program (Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, Whole School Engagement, and the Respect Campaign across Pre-K through transition age), the Healthy Athletes Program (eight health-screening disciplines including Fit Feet, FUNfitness, Health Promotion, Healthy Hearing, MedFest, Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Strong Minds, and Fit 5), and the Mindset Matters Program (mental-health and stress-management education built on the 8-Dimensions of Wellness Model). All programs are delivered free of charge to athletes and families.

The business and revenue model is donation-driven with no transactional pricing: revenue streams comprise individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Caesars Entertainment, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Jersey Mike's, Las Vegas Raiders, Dutch Bros, Engelstad Foundation), vehicle donations processed through Advanced Remarketing Services (returning 75–80% of gross), planned/legacy gifts, workplace giving, and signature fundraising events (Polar Plunge, Bowl for the Gold, Swinging for Inclusion, Tip a Cop, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run). The chapter became an independently incorporated entity on January 1, 2024, after 22 years operating under Special Olympics Northern California, facilitated by a $500,000 state appropriation under Senate Bill 341 and Assembly Bill 525; Terrence Thornton was promoted from Executive Director to President and CEO on the same date. The organization is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc., and was created under the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.

Name

Special Olympics NV

Legal name

Special Olympics Nevada, Inc.

Website

https://sonv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Special Olympics Nevada is a Las Vegas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free year-round sports training, athletic competition, health screenings, and inclusive education for individuals with intellectual disabilities across Nevada, serving 2,653 athletes, 759 volunteers, and 17,820+ students via schools statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit disability and adaptive sports services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)

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), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Intellectual disability athletics
• Inclusive youth education
• Nonprofit health screenings
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas, NV

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to provide free sports and health programs to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Partnerships with companies including Caesars Entertainment, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Jersey Mike's, Las Vegas Raiders, Dutch Bros, and Engelstad Foundation for event sponsorship and annual support.
3. Vehicle Donations: Car donation program through partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, which returns 75-80% of gross selling price.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from signature events including Polar Plunge, Bowl for the Gold, Swinging for Inclusion, Tip a Cop, and Law Enforcement Torch Run.
5. Planned Giving: Estate and legacy gifts through will or trust beneficiary designations.
6. Workplace Giving: Payroll deduction programs and company matching gift programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Special Olympics Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Services are delivered free of charge across more than 14 competitions in 7 sports annually, complemented by school-based inclusion programming, free multi-disciplinary health screenings, leadership development for athletes, and mental wellness education. Operations are sustained through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, signature fundraising events, and grants.

Product overview

Special Olympics Nevada operates as a nonprofit organization providing a portfolio of programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include the Community Sports Program (year-round sports training and competitions in 7 sports across 14+ competitions), the Athlete Leadership Program (leadership development), the Unified Champion Schools Program (inclusive education initiatives combining Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole School Engagement), the Healthy Athletes Program (free health screenings across 8 disciplines), and the Mindset Matters Program (mental health education). Fundraising is supported through signature events including Polar Plunge, Bowl for the Gold, Swinging for Inclusion, Tip a Cop, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. All programs are provided free of charge to athletes and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Sports Program Year-round sports training and athletic competition offering more than 14 competitions across 7 sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Nevada. Provided free of charge.
• Athlete Leadership Program Leadership development program enabling athletes to develop skills, serve as mentors, and advocate for inclusion within their communities.
• Unified Champion Schools Program School-based inclusion strategy combining Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole School Engagement, plus the Respect Campaign, for Pre-K through transition age students.
• Healthy Athletes Program Free health screenings and education delivered across eight disciplines: Fit Feet, FUNfitness, Health Promotion, Healthy Hearing, MedFest, Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Strong Minds, and Fit 5. Provided to athletes at competitions.
• Mindset Matters Program Mental health and stress management program providing emotional wellness education using adaptive coping skills based on the 8-Dimensions of Wellness Model.
• Polar Plunge Annual fundraising event in which participants raise funds by taking an icy plunge into winter waters in support of Special Olympics Nevada athletes.
• Bowl for the Gold Annual bowling fundraising event held in both Las Vegas and Reno to support Special Olympics Nevada programs.
• Swinging for Inclusion Baseball-themed fundraising event at Greater Nevada Field featuring batting practice experiences to raise funds for Special Olympics Nevada.
• Tip a Cop Fundraising event where law enforcement officers and athletes serve as celebrity waiters, with 100% of tips donated to Special Olympics Nevada.
• Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Year-round grassroots fundraising and public awareness campaign in which law enforcement agencies carry the Flame of Hope into Special Olympics competitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,653 athletes served annually across Nevada
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Caesars EntertainmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor gaming and hospitality company operating casinos and resorts in Las Vegas and Nevada. Provides sponsorship support for Special Olympics Nevada programs and events.
• Greater Nevada Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNevada-based credit union providing financial sponsorship and support for Special Olympics Nevada operations and events.
• Jersey Mike'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSandwich franchise chain. Participates in annual Month of Giving campaign with Day of Giving events where 100% of sales are donated to Special Olympics Nevada.
• Las Vegas RaiderscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNFL professional football team based in Las Vegas. Provides community support and sponsorship for Special Olympics Nevada programs.
• Dutch BroscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee chain operating across Nevada and multiple states. Provides philanthropy and support for Special Olympics Nevada through donations and community events.
• Engelstad FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate foundation created by Ralph & Betty Engelstad focused on medical research, improving day-to-day living for people with disabilities, and raising possibilities for high-risk individuals.
• State of NevadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState government providing funding and support, including $500,000 from Senate Bill 341 and Assembly Bill 525 to assist with independent status.
• Advanced Remarketing ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle donation processing partner that returns 75-80% of gross selling price from car donations to Special Olympics Nevada.
• Nevada Law EnforcementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide law enforcement agencies participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), Special Olympics' largest public awareness and grass-roots fundraising campaign.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Large established national nonprofit delivering disability and special needs services (medical, behavioral, workforce) — broader scope but overlapping beneficiary base and similar grant/donation revenue mix.
• Special Olympics International: Global headquarters and accrediting body that grants SONV its chapter license and brand rights; broader portfolio spans200+ programs worldwide and sets programming, branding, and compliance standards.
• Special Olympics California: Largest U.S. Special Olympics state chapter; provides a model for what a scaled independent chapter can achieve in fundraising, programming, and corporate partnerships.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit focused on one-to-one friendships, employment, and leadership for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — overlapping mission audience (IDD individuals) and similar school/employer partnership model.

Direct peers

• Special Olympics Oregon: Independently operated Special Olympics state chapter of comparable size running sports, schools, and fundraising programs — directly parallel in mission, programming, and funding approach.
• Special Olympics Colorado: Independent mid-size Special Olympics state chapter delivering year-round training, competitions, and Healthy Athletes services — directly comparable in scope, governance model, and revenue mix.
• Special Olympics Texas: One of the largest U.S. Special Olympics state chapters; offers the same program pillars and event-driven fundraising model, useful as an upper-bound comparable for SONV's growth trajectory.
• Special Olympics Northern California: Former parent chapter that operated SONV for 22 years until January 2024. Same Special Olympics model, similar mid-size state footprint, identical programming pillars — making it the closest functional and operational peer.
• Special Olympics Florida: Independent state Special Olympics chapter operating athlete training, Healthy Athletes, and Unified Champion Schools — same program architecture and donor/sponsor profile, scaled to a larger state.

Others

• National Down Syndrome Society: National advocacy and program nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual disabilities — adjacent mission (disability inclusion), similar donation-driven funding, and occasional partnership potential via Special Olympics Unified programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sonevada
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCc46HGXik5ftNro1vvj8eiw
• Facebookfacebook.com/sonevada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/specialolympicsnv
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialolympicsnv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 NV