Grand Strand Miracle Leagues

What Grand Strand Miracle Leagues does

Grand Strand Miracle Leagues is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Tax ID 57-1130775), founded in 2001 to deliver free adaptive sports, recreation, and school-day programs to individuals with disabilities. The organization operates the James C. Benton Miracle League Field, the second all-access baseball field built in the United States, and serves participants ages 4 to 58 across Horry and Georgetown Counties. Its program portfolio spans twelve offerings: baseball (ten teams including eight recreational and two Advanced Teams competing in Special Olympics), basketball, soccer, golf, cheer, Together We Dance, family bowling, flag football, tennis, Safety Around Water swim lessons, the School Day Program field-trip model, and the Balance In Bloom adaptive yoga curriculum at Brookgreen Gardens. All programs, uniforms, equipment, and meals are provided at no cost to participants.

The underlying technology stack is primarily physical: ADA-approved rubberized synthetic turf on the main field, All-Star Park inclusive playground designed by Landscape Structures with double-wide ramps, sensory panels, and the Beyond Infinity ZipKrooz ride, plus accessible restrooms with adult changing tables. Accessibility software tools include the third-party KultureCity app (sensory social stories and on-site sensory kits with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and communication cards) and the LeagueApps online registration platform. Communication boards in English and Spanish (with high-contrast low-vision versions) are deployed in both dugouts and playground. The organization holds KultureCity venue certification and MoveUnited / Champions Initiative memberships.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations and grants across four streams: individual tax-deductible contributions, tiered corporate sponsorships ($50 to $1,000+ tiers including Sponsor a Player, School Day Transportation, Field Banner, and Volunteer T-shirt), special event fundraising (Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day, Tidal Wave Auto Spa Charity Day at 50% of proceeds, Step Up to the Plate dinner, Miracle on the Mound Tournament, Songwriters in The Round, Night of the Stars), and foundation grants from The Chapin Foundation, Borman Family Foundation, Waccamaw Community Foundation, Dabo's All In Team Foundation, United Way of Horry County, plus city and county government support. The organization is led by Executive Director Stephanie Warren and Programs Director Steve Moore, governed by a ten-plus-member Board of Directors, and operates with 1-10 employees.

Name

Grand Strand Miracle Leagues

Legal name

Grand Strand Miracle League, Inc.

Website

https://grandstrandmiracleleague.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Grand Strand Miracle Leagues is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that provides free adaptive sports, recreation, and school-day programs to individuals with disabilities ages 4 to 58 across twelve sports, including baseball on the second all-access Miracle League field built in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports and Recreation Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), 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

Recreational & Intramural Sports Programs (MPAKACAG), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Disability recreation services
• Youth athletics nonprofit
• Inclusive community programs
• Special needs activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Myrtle Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization. Grand Strand Miracle Leagues is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID 57-1130775. Donations fund uniforms, equipment, and program costs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Multiple sponsorship tiers: Sponsor a Player ($50), School Day Transportation Sponsor ($150), Field Banner Sponsor ($600), Volunteer T-shirt Sponsor ($1,000), School Day Jamboree Sponsor, Holiday Party Sponsor. Sponsors receive recognition and logo placement.
3. Special Event Fundraising: Annual events including Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day (donations collected), Step Up to the Plate dinner (ticket sales and silent auction), Songwriters in The Round, Tidal Wave Auto Spa Charity Day (50% of proceeds), Night of the Stars.
4. Foundation and Grant Funding: Support from foundations including The Chapin Foundation, Borman Family Foundation, Waccamaw Community Foundation, Dabo's All In Team Foundation, and others. Strategic plan includes targets to increase grants applied for by 10% annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grand Strand Miracle Leagues is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free adaptive sports, recreation, and school-day programs for individuals with disabilities ages 4 and older. Its core offering is an adaptive baseball league played on the James C. Benton Miracle League Field, an ADA-approved rubberized turf surface that was the second Miracle League field built in the nation. The baseball program is supplemented by ten additional sports and recreation programs including soccer, basketball, golf, cheer, dance, bowling, flag football, tennis, and water safety swim lessons, plus the All-Star Park inclusive playground and field trip programming for schools.

Product overview

Grand Strand Miracle Leagues is a nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of adaptive sports and recreation programs for individuals with disabilities ages 4 and up across Horry and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina. The core offering is the Baseball Program played on the James C. Benton Miracle League Field, an ADA-approved rubberized surface that was the second Miracle League field built in the nation (2001). This foundation is supplemented by eight additional sports programs: Basketball, Cheer, Together We Dance, Family Bowling, Flag Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, and Safety Around Water Swim Lessons. The organization also operates All-Star Park, an inclusive playground facility built in 2013, and provides School Day Programs including field trips and the Balance In Bloom adaptive yoga program. Georgetown Programs extend services to the neighboring county through soccer and basketball. All programs are provided free of charge to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Baseball Program Adaptive baseball league played on the James C. Benton Miracle League Field, an ADA-approved rubberized surface. Every player bats, travels bases, and crosses home plate, with volunteer Buddies assisting participants. Includes eight non-competitive teams and two Advanced Teams that compete in Special Olympics.
• Basketball Program Skills-building basketball program focused on fundamentals like dribbling, passing, and shooting through age-appropriate drills and activities designed for all ability levels.
• Cheer Program Cheer team that learns chants and dance moves, supporting GSML baseball teams at games with t-shirts, pom-poms, and performances.
• Together We Dance Inclusive adaptive creative movement dance class for individuals with disabilities aged four and up, focusing on various dance styles while fostering social and physical development.
• Family Bowling Sensory-friendly bowling sessions held before the bowling alley opens, with bumpers, ramps, and wheelchair accessibility.
• Flag Football Introductory flag football program teaching throwing, catching, route movement, and teamwork fundamentals in an inclusive environment with rotating skill stations.
• Golf Program Six-week fall golf program teaching integrity, sportsmanship, and golf skills at venues including Topgolf, Mulligan's Lagoon Mini Golf, Cane Patch Driving Range, and Captain Hook's Adventure Golf.
• Soccer Program Spring soccer training sessions at James C. Benton Miracle League field with Coastal Carolina University coaches and players, featuring skill stations and scrimmages over six weeks.
• Tennis Program Adaptive tennis lessons based on Public Tennis program model, held at Rivers Lynch Tennis Center, building fundamental tennis skills through modified equipment and experienced instruction.
• Safety Around Water Swim Lessons Specialized swim lesson series partnering with YMCA of Coastal Carolina to teach water safety skills including floating, reaching safety, and emergency response for individuals with disabilities.
• All-Star Park ADA-approved all-inclusive playground built in 2013 by Landscape Structures, featuring rubberized surfaces, double-wide ramps, swing sets, slides, roller table, sensory panels, and the Beyond Infinity ZipKrooz ride.
• School Day Program Field trip destination for classes to play baseball, soccer, or use All-Star Park playground, with transportation reimbursement available and accessible facilities including adult changing tables.
• Balance In Bloom Adaptive yoga and nature learning program at Brookgreen Gardens for Georgetown County classes serving students with disabilities, including transportation reimbursement.
• Georgetown Programs Summer soccer and basketball programs held at Andrews Regional Recreation Center in Georgetown, providing free adaptive sports to the Georgetown community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24+ years of continuous operation providing adaptive sports
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• Coastal Carolina University (CCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoastal Carolina University coaches and players provide instruction and volunteer support for soccer training and baseball programs. CCU baseball team hosts Step Up to the Plate dinner event. CCU football team partners for Night of the Stars event. CCU cheerleaders and dance team participate in events.
• Tidal Wave Auto SpacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Charity Day where 50% of proceeds from car washes benefit Grand Strand Miracle Leagues. Event held each September at four Grand Strand locations.
• Ben & Jerry'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Free Cone Day event at 5-6 Myrtle Beach locations where free ice cream is provided and all donations benefit the organization. Major annual fundraiser.
• YMCA of Coastal CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Safety Around Water swim lessons - YMCA provides certified instructors trained to adapt lessons for participants with disabilities. Sessions held at Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA.
• Brookgreen GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Balance In Bloom adaptive yoga and nature learning program. Brookgreen Gardens provides education team for nature-based learning experiences including Sensing Nature and Heritage Farm Garden programs.
• Myrtle Beach BowlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for annual Football Clinic led by former NFL standout Ricky Sapp and local high school coaches. Doug Shaw Stadium venue. Bowling facility for Family Bowling sessions.
• Ripken Experience Myrtle BeachcoreOthersVenue for annual Miracle on the Mound Tournament. All fields are artificial turf providing accessible playing surface. Tournament brings together teams from multiple Miracle Leagues.
• Landscape StructuresminorOthersDesigned and built All-Star Park inclusive playground exceeding ADA standards. Features double-wide ramps, rubberized surfaces, and ZipKrooz attraction.
• McLeod HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner providing game day sponsorship and support for programs.
• Tidelands Health (MUSC Health)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner providing field banner sponsorship.
• USTA SouthernmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTennis program support and sponsorship through USTA Southern.
• Topgolf Myrtle BeachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf program venue for sessions providing accessible golf experience.
• Mulligan's Lagoon Mini GolfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf program venue for mini golf sessions.
• Cane Patch Driving RangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf program venue for driving range sessions.
• Captain Hook's Adventure GolfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf program venue and season finale location.
• Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSwim lessons venue for Safety Around Water program and flag football session location.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Disabled Sports USA: National provider of adaptive sports opportunities including skiing, cycling, and team sports. Direct peer in delivering year-round adaptive sports programming to individuals with disabilities across multiple disciplines.
• Special Olympics South Carolina: State-level Special Olympics affiliate providing year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Grand Strand's two Advanced Teams actually feed into Special Olympics, making this both a pipeline and a competing program operator in the same geography.
• Challenger Little League: Little League's adaptive division offering baseball to players with physical and intellectual disabilities. Operates a nearly identical model (buddies, inclusive rules, free play) to Grand Strand's baseball program and represents a competing national adaptive baseball brand.
• BlazeSports America: Nonprofit providing adaptive sports programs (wheelchair basketball, track, swimming) to youth, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities. Closely comparable mission and program model to Grand Strand's multi-sport adaptive offerings.
• Miracle League National: The national umbrella organization for the Miracle League network, operating the same adaptive baseball model that Grand Strand pioneered in 2001. Direct peer as both the licensor and operator of nearly identical programs (rubberized fields, Buddy volunteers, free participation) across the country.

Broad incumbents

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one friendships, employment, and inclusive programs including sports. Competes for similar donor dollars and corporate partnerships in the disability-inclusion space.
• Move United: National network of community-based adaptive sports programs. Grand Strand is a MoveUnited member, and MoveUnited serves as a broader umbrella for the same mission, providing resources, advocacy, and program standards across member organizations.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing services for people with disabilities including recreation, therapy, and camps. Overlaps with Grand Strand's mission and competes for similar corporate and foundation funding across the disability-services sector.

Others

• KultureCity: National nonprofit certifying sensory-inclusive venues and providing sensory accessibility tools. Grand Strand is a KultureCity-certified venue, and KultureCity serves as both an ecosystem partner and an enabler that could support expansion of the All-Star Park and field accessibility model.

Emerging players

• National Wheelchair Basketball Association: Governing body for wheelchair basketball in the US, with local member teams offering competitive adaptive basketball. Comparable to Grand Strand's basketball program but operates a more competitive, league-based model rather than a free recreational model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gsmiracleleagues

Compliance3 records

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 Grand Strand Miracle Leagues