Special Olympics Alaska
Special Olympics Alaska is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing year-round sports training and competition in 13 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, operating across 9 Alaskan communities from the Jim Balamaci Training Center in Anchorage.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersAnchorage, Alaska, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Special Olympics Alaska does
Special Olympics Alaska (SOAK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization operates 13 Olympic-type sports across four competitive seasons (Winter Games, Summer Games, Fall Tournament, Bowling Season) delivered through 9 regional community programs and the 20,000 square foot Jim Balamaci Training Center, which serves as both headquarters and dedicated state-of-the-art sports facility. SOAK delivers flagship programs including Unified Champion Schools (active in 100 schools across 13 Alaska districts), Young Athletes Program (ages 2-7), Senior Program (ages 35+), Healthy Athletes free health screenings covering 8 disciplines, Camp Shriver inclusive summer camp, and the Health Messengers peer leadership program, in addition to virtual programming such as Afternoons with Ayesha sessions, School of Strength workouts, and Jr. NBA Special Olympics Day Clinics.
The organization operates as the Alaska affiliate of the Special Olympics global network and is funded entirely through donations and event-based revenue — all programs and services are provided free of charge to athletes, including Healthy Athletes screenings and registration for athletes, volunteers, and unified partners. Revenue is diversified across four streams: individual donations (including the Alaska PFD Pick.Click.Give. program); corporate sponsorships led by GCI as flagship partner, plus Conocophillips Alaska, Alaska Airlines, Global CU Foundation, Lynden, BPS, and BOMA; event fundraising (Polar Plunge, Law Enforcement Torch Run across 16 communities with a $150,000 goal for 2026, Annual Gala, Breakfast with Champions, BOMA Golf Tournament which has contributed $235,000+ cumulatively, Fall Tournament); and the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points donation program, where members can donate miles with GCI and Alaska Airlines matching up to one million points. Service delivery is carried out by Volunteer Community Management Teams across Anchorage, Central Peninsula, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Mat-Su Valley, Tanana Valley (Fairbanks), and Valdez, supported by a small paid staff of 1-10 employees.
Special Olympics Alaska firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Special Olympics Alaska
- Legal name
- Special Olympics Alaska
- Website
- https://specialolympicsalaska.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Special Olympics Alaska is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing year-round sports training and competition in 13 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, operating across 9 Alaskan communities from the Jim Balamaci Training Center in Anchorage.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Special Olympics Alaska industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Adaptive Sports & Disability Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (611710), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), 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 Training Programs (MPAKAJAK), Specialized Inclusive / Co-Taught Special Education Programs (EDAKAAAK)
Keywords
Where Special Olympics Alaska is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Anchorage, Alaska
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Special Olympics Alaska business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: General donations from individuals, including the Alaska PFD Pick.Click.Give. program where donors can contribute a portion of their PFD to Special Olympics Alaska.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships from corporations such as GCI, Conocophillips Alaska, Alaska Airlines, Global CU Foundation, and others at various event and program levels.
- Event Fundraising: Revenue from events including Polar Plunge, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Annual Gala, Breakfast with Champions, BOMA Golf Tournament, and Fall Tournament.
- Alaska Airlines Points Donation Program: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards members can donate points to help Alaska athletes with intellectual disabilities travel to compete in sporting events. GCI and Alaska Airlines match donations up to one million points.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Special Olympics Alaska product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Special Olympics Alaska provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 13 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across Alaska. Programs are delivered free of charge through local community programs in 9 regions and through the Jim Balamaci Training Center headquarters, supplemented by inclusive health screenings (Healthy Athletes), Unified Champion Schools K-12 inclusion programs, Young Athletes early-development activities, Senior Program, Camp Shriver summer camp, and Health Messengers leadership training.
Product overview
Special Olympics Alaska is a nonprofit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Alaska. The organization operates a platform-plus-programs model centered around the Jim Balamaci Training Center as its headquarters facility, offering 13 Olympic-type sports across four competitive seasons (Winter, Summer, Fall, Bowling). Key programs include Unified Sports (combining athletes with and without disabilities on same teams), the Unified Champion Schools K-12 educational inclusion program, Young Athletes Program for ages 2-7, Health Messengers athlete leadership initiative, Senior Program for adults 35+, Healthy Athletes free health screenings, and Camp Shriver inclusive summer camp. The organization also provides virtual programs and weekly activities for ongoing athlete engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Camp Shriver Alaska: Inclusive summer sports camp where students with and without intellectual disabilities learn sports skills, develop fitness, and build friendships.
- Unified Sports
- Young Athletes Program
- Healthy Athletes
- Senior Program
- Health Messengers
- Unified Champion Schools
Products and services
- Young Athletes Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 4 out of 10 athletes have untreated tooth decay; 4 out of 10 need eyeglasses; 3 out of 10 would fail a hearing screening; 7 out of 10 are overweight or obese - highlighting health disparities addressed by the Healthy Athletes program
Companies that use Special Olympics Alaska
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Special Olympics Alaska technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Special Olympics Alaska partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- GCIflagshipMajor corporate sponsor supporting multiple programs and events. GCI Gives matches donations through Pick.Click.Give. program and Atmos Giving match. Supports Law Enforcement Torch Run, Annual Gala, Fall Tournament, and Breakfast with Champions as presenting sponsor.
- Conocophillips AlaskacoreCorporate sponsor of Camp Shriver and multiple events including Law Enforcement Torch Run, Annual Gala, Fall Tournament, and Breakfast with Champions.
- Alaska AirlinescoreAtmos Rewards program allows members to donate points to help Alaska athletes travel to compete in sporting events. GCI and Alaska Airlines match donations up to one million points. Sponsor of Annual Gala.
- Global CU FoundationcoreCredit union foundation sponsor supporting Law Enforcement Torch Run, Polar Plunge, Annual Gala, Breakfast with Champions, and other events.
- LyndenminorSponsor of Camp Shriver program.
- BPSminorSponsor of Camp Shriver program.
- BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association)coreAnnual Golf Tournament host benefiting Special Olympics Alaska. Has donated more than $235,000 over the years. Multiple Bronze-level sponsors for Polar Plunge event.
- Law Enforcement CommunitycoreAnnual Law Enforcement Torch Run across 16 Alaska communities, raising funds and awareness. Organized by Alaska Law Enforcement community with goal of $150,000 for local communities.
- Special Olympics InternationalcoreParent organization providing program standards, coach education systems, sports rules, Healthy Athletes initiative framework, Unified Champion Schools curriculum, and online learning resources.
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)minorPartner in Health Messengers program supporting health education and wellness initiatives for athletes.
- WWEminorCollaborated with Special Olympics to create School of Strength: Unified Fitness Kit Workout with WWE athletes.
- NBA / Jr. NBAminorJr. NBA Special Olympics Day Clinic - free 45-minute virtual session for athletes and coaches held monthly.
- R AS Alaska Rock GymminorPartner facility for Camp Shriver Anchorage program.
- R ASDimond High SchoolminorHost venue for Summer Games including basketball, track & field, and swimming competitions.
- Arctic GymnasticsminorHost venue for Summer Games gymnastics competitions.
- Hilltop Ski AreaminorHost venue for Winter Games Alpine Ski & Snowboarding events.
- Anchorage Golf CourseminorHost venue for Fall Tournament Golf events and BOMA Golf Tournament.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Special Olympics Alaska competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Ability Center: Park City, UT-based adaptive sports and recreation provider offering year-round programming for people with disabilities — closely comparable in facility-based adaptive recreation, instructor-led training, and multi-sport programming.
- Move United: National adaptive sports organization (formerly Disabled Sports USA) delivering community-based adaptive sports and recreation across the US. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned adaptive sports provider serving people with disabilities.
- Special Olympics Texas: Largest state-level Special Olympics program in the US. Directly comparable as a SO state affiliate delivering year-round sports training, competitions, Healthy Athletes, and school-based inclusion programs to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
- Special Olympics Oregon: State-level Special Olympics affiliate operating a similar multi-community, multi-sport, multi-season program model with Healthy Athletes and Unified Schools components — directly comparable in scope and mission.
- National Sports Center for the Disabled: Colorado-based adaptive sports nonprofit delivering year-round recreational and competitive programs for people with disabilities. Directly comparable as a facility-anchored adaptive sports training and competition provider.
Emerging players
- Challenger Division (Little League): Adaptive baseball division of Little League International providing opportunities for children with physical and intellectual disabilities to play organized sports — directly comparable as a youth adaptive sports inclusion program.
- Best Buddies International: National nonprofit focused on one-to-one friendships, leadership development, and inclusive employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mission-adjacent peer with overlapping K-12 inclusion programming and intellectual-disability focus.
Broad incumbents
- Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability and autism services including recreation and inclusive programming. Comparable as a broader disability-services umbrella with overlapping inclusion and adaptive-recreation mission.
- Special Olympics International: Global parent organization of the Special Olympics movement, providing program standards, coach education, Healthy Athletes framework, and Unified Champion Schools curriculum that Special Olympics Alaska implements at the state level.
Others
- Inclusion International: Global federation advocating for people with intellectual disabilities. Thematically adjacent peer influencing policy, family support, and inclusion frameworks that underpin Special Olympics' Unified Schools and Unified Sports mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Special Olympics Alaska social profiles
Digital presenceSpecial Olympics Alaska financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Special Olympics Alaska leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Special Olympics Alaska funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Special Olympics Alaska M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Special Olympics Alaska
What does Special Olympics Alaska do?
Special Olympics Alaska provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 13 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across Alaska. Programs are delivered free of charge through local community programs in 9 regions and through the Jim Balamaci Training Center headquarters, supplemented by inclusive health screenings (Healthy Athletes), Unified Champion Schools K-12 inclusion programs, Young Athletes early-development activities, Senior Program, Camp Shriver summer camp, and Health Messengers leadership training.
Is Special Olympics Alaska a public or private company?
Special Olympics Alaska is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Special Olympics Alaska founded?
Special Olympics Alaska was founded in 1969. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Special Olympics Alaska based?
Special Olympics Alaska is headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, in the North America region.
How does Special Olympics Alaska make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, event Fundraising and alaska Airlines Points Donation Program.
Who are Special Olympics Alaska's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Ability Center, Move United, Special Olympics Texas, Special Olympics Oregon and National Sports Center for the Disabled. Emerging players are Challenger Division (Little League) and Best Buddies International. Broad incumbents are Easterseals and Special Olympics International. Inclusion International is listed as an others.
Does Special Olympics Alaska have an API?
No public API is recorded for Special Olympics Alaska.
What industry is Special Olympics Alaska in?
Special Olympics Alaska's product category is Nonprofit Adaptive Sports & Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKACAH, Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics), with a secondary code of MPAKAFAL, Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific). Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 7990.