Special Olympics Georgia, Inc.
Be a Fan. Bring out the champion in everyone
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our goal is to bring people with intellecutal disabilities into the larger soceity under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens. When we achieve thsi goal through our sports program, we demonstrate that Special Olympics has a unique value: to show the world that every person counts and that every person can be something good when we work together.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
State Games
In 2019, 7,172 athletes and Unified Partners from throughout Georgia participated in one of the five State Games conducted by Special Olympics Georgia. These children and adults with intellectual disabilities competed in a high quality sports competition, interacted with their peers, and experienced new places. Participation in these events also meant that these athletes focused on a goal of, learning new skills and developing healthy habits that may lead to improved overall health. State Events are a wonderful opportunity for athletes to make new friends and express their independence. The five State Games are held throughout the year, two of the largest in, Winter Games and Summer Games, are held in Metro Atlanta, Master’s Bowling Tournament in Warner Robins, the Horse Show in Gainesville and Fall Games in Valdosta, Georgia.
Project UNIFY
UNIFIED SPORTS:
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is a program that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (called Unified Partners®) on sports teams in a variety of sports for training and competition. In Georgia, we currently offer Unified Sports Teams in 20 sports including basketball, softball, indoor floor hockey, pair ice skating, bocce, bowling, and power-lifting. Teammates of like age are paired up to compete against similar teams. Teams are often formed in schools through the adaptive physical education departments or with agencies like Parks and Recreation Departments. Volunteer coaches work with partners & Special Olympics athletes once a week training for 8 weeks before a competition. During 2019 Special Olympics Georgia hosted 987 Unified Partners who particiapted at our state games throughout the year.
Healthy Athletes
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Program offers preventative care and screening in six disciplines: hearing, vision, oral health, podiatry, nutrition, and physical therapy during the State Games. These screenings provide a needed service because the Surgeon General released information following a conference on Health Disparities and Mental Retardation which reported “children and adults with intellectual disabilities receive fewer routine examinations, fewer immunization, less oral health care and have fewer opportunities for physical exercise and athletic accomplishment than do other Americans”. Referrals are given out and free prescription eye glasses and prescription protective sports goggles. In 2019, 1,133 athletes participated in the Healthy Athletes program and received a free health screening at one of our state level events.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of adolescents receiving a wellness checkup
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, People with intellectual disabilities
Related Program
State Games
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
At every one of our five State Games, our "Healthy Athletes" program allows every athlete who competes to receive a free health screening: blood pressure, vision, hearing, orthopedics, dental & more.
Number of adults receiving a wellness checkup
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, People with intellectual disabilities
Related Program
State Games
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
At every one of our five State Games, our "Healthy Athletes" program allows every athlete who competes to receive a free health screening: blood pressure, vision, hearing, orthopedics, dental & more.
Number of adults engaging in regular physical activity
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with intellectual disabilities
Related Program
State Games
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of registered athletes with Special Olympics Georgia
Number of youth who demonstrate leadership skills (e.g., organizing others, taking initiative, team-building)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Students, People with intellectual disabilities
Related Program
State Games
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
As part of our youth Forum, we invited youth to apply to be a part of our Youth Leadership council which works with athletes and their peers to spread awareness about Special Olympics Georgia.
Number of children engaging in regular physical activity
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with intellectual disabilities
Related Program
State Games
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number represents the number of registered athletes.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The most relevant Strategic Goals for Special Olympics Georgia are:
• People Focused
• Sustainable Quality Growth
• Unity through Diversity
• Financial Considerations
• Strategic Pillars:
-Advance Quality Sports and Competitions
-Build Communities
-Connect Fans and Funds
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
• People Focused: Whether athletes, coaches, youth volunteers, or any other group, people remain at the heart of our Movement and our shared strategic objectives.
• Sustainable Quality Growth: With limited resources, Boards, staff members and local Program leaders strive to determine the right mix of growth and quality initiatives.
• Unity through Diversity: Our strategic plan, while global in its goals, will depend on effective on‐going cooperation from regions and programs capable of adapting implementation plans to local considerations.
• Financial Considerations: Initiatives themselves require funding and hence fundraising remains a key element of each organizational goal.
• Strategic Pillars: In general, we have approached our strategic goals and initiatives along these three Strategic Pillars:
• Advance Sports and Competitions: Our Athletes are the center of our work. Special Olympics Georgia should be recognized as a statewide leader in sports, providing excellence in coaching, training, and competition management at all levels, offering each athlete the opportunity to develop to reach their personal best through the activation of sport and athlete development models.
• Build Communities: The transformative power of Special Olympics Georgia comes when we build powerful communities of change around our Athletes, creating demonstrable impact at multiple levels of society. Healthy Athletes, Families Program, Athlete Leadership Programs and schools and youth initiatives continue to position our Movement as being a change agent for whole communities – for all of us – not just as a service delivery Program for a small population.
• Connect Fans and Funds: Special Olympics Georgia must become a more effective, sustainable and innovative marketing and fundraising organization. We must facilitate thoughtful, committed and diversified engagements with individuals, corporations, foundations, civic and service organizations and government agencies while aiming to increase operational funding and support for Special Olympics Georgia. We have an opportunity to translate communications into strategic storytelling, passive spectating into fan engagement and community support into real collaborative and breakthrough fundraising.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Thousands of volunteers implement the Special Olympics programs statewide on the grassroots level. They serve on management teams, organize and conduct local, area and state Special Olympics activities and competitions, and assist in fundraising efforts. Volunteers serve as certified coaches, games officials, assistant coaches and in a wide variety of other capacities in support of Special Olympics athletes.
With just 17 full time employees and it's army of volunteers, Special Olympics Georgia is able to further it's movement of inclusion by sports competition each and every year by bringing on new strategic partners and strengthening further already mutually beneficial relationships. Sustainable growth in pursuit of our Mission is at the forefront of every decision we make at Special Olympics Georgia.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Special Olympics Georgia has seen more than 9,200 athletes, (a 4% increase), from throughout the state participate in one of the 4 State Games conducted by Special Olympics Georgia throughout the year. With our Unified Sports program, over 1,100 Unified Partners participated along side Special Olympics athletes in 26 different sporting events including basketball, softball, indoor floor hockey, pair ice skating, bocce, bowling, and power-lifting.
While there is no doubt that we have made a tremendous impact on our athletes and tens of thousands of family members, volunteers and supporters, we clearly have much more to do to impact more children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the state and for every one of them to be fully included in their communities. Ours is an urgent mission, and we must continue to strive for the day when people everywhere embrace people with intellectual disabilities as “respected and productive" members of society.
We need to provide the best possible experience for our athletes, one that not only empowers athletes and their families, but also changes the communities around them. When we do that, we show the world that there are thousands of different abilities, not disabilities.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Special Olympics Georgia, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 03/29/2023
Porter Lummus
President - Inwood Holdings LLC
Term: 2021 -
Antoinette Ellison
Counsel - Jones Day
Term: 2021 -
Todd Wozniak
Holland & Knight LLP
Chris Burnett
Center State Bank
Michael Deaderick
Park 'N Fly
Doug DeRito
Ryan
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data