In October of 2018, Special Olympics Illinois embarked on a journey to design a new strategic plan to drive the organization into its future. Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary, SOILL was poised to springboard into a future where Sports, Health and Leadership would shape its programming for the next generation of athletes. After many working sessions with staff, members of the Board of Directors, and its constituents through town hall meetings and surveys, SOILL has developed a new Vision that will be the foundation for its Strategic Plan 2020‐2025.
Special Olympics Illinois Vision:
Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) will be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development.
Special Olympics Illinois Mission:
Provide year‐round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic‐type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Fundamental Cornerstone of the Plan
At the core of this plan and the organization’s successful progress towards its vision and mission, are two principles.
- Special Olympics Illinois is a competitive sports organization and all programming and initiatives are rooted in this identity.
- Special Olympics Illinois will strive to keep “Athletes First” in all its decision-making.
For more information about the Strategic Plan 2020‐2025 and how you can be a part of it, please contact StrategicPlan@soill.org.
Special Olympics Will Achieve This Vision By:
Improving Athlete Experience
Healthy Lifestyles:
Expanding access to health screenings and health education, enabling athletes to take charge of their own health and
fitness, and encouraging lifelong healthy habits for all program participants.
Training and Education:
Implementing coach and volunteer training and education strategies that foster growth in the number and quality of general volunteers, key volunteers and coaches.
Utilizing Technology:
Creating an environment of innovation that enhances participation in all events and activities by utilizing technology to make program delivery as efficient as possible.
Athlete and Family Leadership:
Building capacity by implementing improved leadership resources for athletes and families and ensuring opportunities to lead at every level of the organization.
Reaching More Athletes
Educating Communities:
Increasing awareness and improving education within diverse communities, parents and caregivers, agencies, and other key growth stakeholder categories.
Outreach:
Creating and implementing comprehensive outreach strategies that result in sustainable growth in the number of Athletes, Young Athletes, Peer Partners and Unified Partners served.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Implementing diversity and inclusion objectives that foster growth of a more diverse environment by reaching various demographics in all aspects, from athletes, unified partners, volunteers, donors and staff members.
Sports for All:
Enhancing our sports programming to reflect the needs and interests of our current and future participants.
Raising More Resources
Fiscal Accountability:
Fostering fiscal accountability within the organization and creating a culture of consistent responsible use of resources.
Deepening Our Partnerships:
Deepening our partnerships to amplify shared goals and objectives that benefit all stakeholders.
Diversifying Our Revenue:
Diversifying our revenue streams to strengthen our financial position in order to expand our programs and services.
For more information about the Strategic Plan 2020‐2025 and how you can be a part of it, please contact StrategicPlan@soill.org.