At Special Olympics Illinois, your support goes far beyond the thrill of competition. It fuels leadership, health, inclusion, and lifelong growth for tens of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities in Illinois. While direct donations are always appreciated, Special Olympics Illinois offers many meaningful ways to support our mission.
Here are five alternative ways to build a stronger, healthier, more inclusive community this year and future years.
Planned Giving: Shape the Future with Your Legacy
You can create a legacy that celebrates ability, courage, and inclusion. A planned gift to Special Olympics Illinois ensures athletes have opportunities for generations to come.
Popular options include:
- Bequests: Including Special Olympics Illinois in your will or trust.
- IRA Charitable Rollovers: If you meet certain age requirements, you can make a tax-free gift directly from your IRA.
- Beneficiary Designation Gifts: Name Special Olympics Illinois as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, life insurance policy, or bank account.
Your plans today shape tomorrow’s possibilities. Through planned giving, your legacy can support athletes for years to come.
If you’ve already included Special Olympics Illinois in your estate plans, please let us know. We’d be honored to celebrate your commitment and welcome you into our SOILL Legacy Society.
Matching Gifts: Multiply Your Impact
Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employee philanthropy. Some even match gifts from spouses and retirees.
By simply completing a matching gift form, you may be able to double or even triple the impact of your donation. Every contribution helps athletes shatter stereotypes and achieve their personal bests on and off the field.
It’s easy to find out, right from our website, if your employer participates in a matching gift program.
In-Kind Donations: Give What You Have
Throughout the year, we rely on generous in-kind donations to support our events, programs, and operations. These gifts help us reduce costs and enhance the experience for athletes, families, and volunteers.
Examples of in-kind donations include:
- Facilities for competitions, meetings, and training
- Office supplies and printing services
- Professional services (e.g., photography, legal, marketing)
- Raffle and auction items (gift cards, electronics, sports memorabilia, vacation packages)
If you or your business can provide goods or services, we’d love to partner with you.
Vehicle Donation: Drive Inclusion Forward
Your old car, truck, boat, or RV can help drive opportunity and inclusion for Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Vehicle donations support year-round training and competition in 18 Olympic-style sports, as well as leadership and health programs for more than 20,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities statewide.
It’s easy, tax-deductible, and impactful. We’ll even handle the pickup and paperwork.
Learn more or start your donation.
Corporate Support: Partner With Purpose
Corporate partnerships are a powerful way to align your brand with a mission that matters. Whether through sponsorships, employee engagement, cause marketing, or custom campaigns, we work with businesses of all sizes to create meaningful impact.
Benefits of corporate support include:
- Brand visibility at statewide events
- Employee volunteer opportunities
- Positive community engagement
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and social responsibility
Let’s build a partnership that makes a difference.
Every Gift Builds a More Inclusive World
Your gift to Special Olympics Illinois provides more than opportunities to compete. You’re helping athletes grow on the field, as leaders, while prioritizing healthy living, and grow in every aspect of life.
Explore all the ways to give and together, we can change lives.