Special Olympics Ontario Inc.

Special Olympics Ontario Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through year-round sports training and competitions. Founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1979 as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada), the organization serves to provide athletes with intellectual disabilities across Ontario the opportunity to participate, succeed, and develop physical skills in a variety of sports[1][3][5].

Mission and Vision

The organization’s mission centers on using sport to open hearts and minds toward people with intellectual disabilities, fostering inclusive communities throughout Ontario. Their vision emphasizes creating an environment where sport acts as a catalyst for social change and acceptance in society[2].

Activities and Programs

Special Olympics Ontario offers year-round training and sports competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, serving over 26,000 athletes in 95 communities as of the 2022 fiscal year. Athletes can participate in 18 different sports, categorized as winter, spring, and summer offerings:

• Winter sports: alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and speed skating.
• Spring sports: five-pin bowling, ten-pin bowling, basketball, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, and swimming.
• Summer sports: athletics, bocce, golf, soccer, and softball[3].

The organization works in cooperation with many local community endeavors throughout Ontario, providing support and governance to these programs to ensure athletes receive quality opportunities to succeed in sport[5].

Governance and Financials

Special Olympics Ontario Inc. is incorporated without share capital under the Corporations Act (Ontario) and operates as a registered charity exempt from income taxes. It issues tax-deductible receipts to its donors. The organization manages financial transparency with reserve funds reported at approximately $7.4 million, sufficient to cover over a year and a half of annual program costs. It maintains reasonable overhead spending and has been rated as a two-star charity by Charity Intelligence Canada, which indicates sound financial practices combined with below-average results reporting[3][5].

Affiliations

Special Olympics Ontario is part of the broader Special Olympics movement, which operates globally to provide sports opportunities and foster acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities[4].

This comprehensive approach allows Special Olympics Ontario Inc. to not only support athletic development but also to promote social inclusion and change societal attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities in Ontario.

[1] https://www1.specialolympicsontario.com [2] https://www1.specialolympicsontario.com/our-mission/ [3] https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/447-special-olympics-ontario-inc [4] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/special-olympics-ontario-inc/ [5] https://www1.specialolympicsontario.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Special-Olympics-Ontario-Inc.-Jun21-fs-FINAL.pdf