2017 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Annual Report Illinois Welcome, With the super-spectacular Special Olympics 50th Anniversary celebration just around the corner in July, I have been asked countless times this year to describe what Special Olympics means to me. Most people would assume that I would say something related to sports, competition, or team. All of those are true; but during the past seventeen years, many more significant words meant Special Olympics to me. Words such as confidence, respect, dignity, and inclusion. Those represent elements that many of us with intellectual disabilities desire. However, as I completed my three-year board term this past February, I became aware of another very powerful word that meant Special Olympics to me. That would be – competent You see, individuals with intellectual disabilities are rarely, if ever, considered competent. Special Olympics though, presumes competence of all its athletes from the start – no exceptions. This is most obviously seen during any of the sports competitions. I invite you to come on out and check it out for yourself! However, Special Olympics is not just about sports. As a Global Messenger, I have spoken to audiences of all sizes – even a college stadium with thousands of people. Special Olympics entrusted me to speak with legislators in Washington, D.C. and serve on its Board of Directors. No matter what the venue, I was surrounded by outstanding advocates, leaders, and role models; who then encouraged and guided me towards becoming one as well. Special Olympics Illinois has come a long way since its start 50 years ago; yet it continues to evolve and develop further competencies for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Avenues such as Healthy Athletes, Unified Sports, and Unified Champion Schools. Plans for the future include developing partnerships to increase employment opportunities and moving towards inclusive communities as the norm. I am so excited to be part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. I can’t wait to show the world how far Special Olympics has come and share its vision for the next 50 years! Without a doubt, Special Olympics Illinois has left its mark on every one of the athletes; and each one of us has left our fingerprints on Special Olympics Illinois. We are truly all extended family members. What does Special Olympics mean to me? The confidence to be a part of a community and be able to say, “Yes, I am competent!” "Yes, I am competent!" Garrett Anderson Special Olympics Athlete Global Messenger “ ”Board Member Message from Dave Breen Dear Friends: President and CEO I want to express my deepest gratitude for your help in taking Special Olympics Illinois to new heights in 2017. In our 19th consecutive year of growth, we were able to accomplish more for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois than ever before. And once again, the athletes have led the way as members of our Board of Directors, serving on 50th Anniversary committees, and 142 athlete leaders making 572 appearances to 50,000 people. As I look back at the milestones and our pursuit of the ‘Big Three’ – Improve Athlete Experience, Reach More Athletes, and Raise More Resources – I am happy to report that we achieved success with all three of these organizational goals. We now serve over 23,000 athletes, added 24 additional Unified Champion Schools, set a record for participation at Summer Games with over 4,000 athletes competing, established the first- ever Health Pavilion at our Summer Games, and introduced real-time scoring at a number of our events – just to name a few highlights. And all while continuing to not charge athletes or their families to participate in the program. Our continued growth and expanding reach of services is made possible thanks to the tireless efforts and support of our dedicated staff, athletes, families, volunteers, coaches, Board of Directors, Foundation Board, partners, and donors. This annual report is intended to provide an overview of these 2017 accomplishments and financial activities that support Special Olympics Illinois programs and initiatives as well as give you a look at some additional highlights from the last year. The success of 2017 has given us the momentum needed to continue our efforts as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics in 2018. Through this celebration, we hope to turn attention to Illinois and show the world what it truly means to #choosetoinclude, launching the Movement into the next 50 years. We hope you are able to join us at our many events in 2018 to help us celebrate, including our 50th Anniversary Chicago Celebration on July 17-21 – visit specialolympics50.org to find out more. We will take this year to not only honor those who have advanced Special Olympics Illinois to the organization it is today, but also continue our commitment to enhancing the lives of our athletes, both on and off the field. President and CEO Special Olympics Illinois Garrett Anderson Special Olympics Athlete Global Messenger Board Member 23,083 Athletes Served 19th Year of Consecutive Growth 250,000 $0 Approximate number Charged to 48,300 of children and adults athletes Volunteers with intellectual disabilities that still to particpate need our help in Illinois 18 201 Olympic-type Competitions 243 Unified Champion Sports held throughout Schools Offered the state Over $4M 3,988 Raised by Law Free Health Enforcement Screenings Torch Run at 25 Clinics 142 Athlete Leaders and 3 athletes on the Board of Directors 19th Year of Consecutive Growth Statement of Activities Statement of Financial Activities Revenues, Gains and Support 2016 2017 Direct Marketing, Contributions & Grants $10,152,547 $10,512,391 In Kind Support $3,942,664 $4,562,620 Interest, Gain, Other Revenue $336,511 $542,335 Total Revenue Gains and Other Support $14,431,722 $15,617,346 Expenses Program Services $11,198,503 $12,315,194 Fundraising $2,449,470 $2,338,928 Management and General $719,745 $761,731 Total Expenses $14,367,718 $15,415,853 Increase in Net Surplus/(Deficit) $64,004 $201,493 Ending Net Assets $5,513,184 $5,714,677 EIN # 36-2922811 79.89% of our budget goes to program expenses "Let’s work toward a world where we are not labeled as disabled, but a world that sees us as equals where we are all included. Will you choose to include?" Eric Baumann “ Special Olympics Athlete ”and Global Messenger In 2017, Special Olympics Illinois served 19,631 Young Athletes, ages 2-7, with and without intellectual disabilities. Almost 50% of athletes in Illinois are adults ages 23 and older. Amelia, pictured below, has been participating in Special Olympics since 1968. Family Greetings, When Bree, was born, I thought life would continue as it did with my first two children. I thought Bree would follow her brother and sister in playing sports and participating in music programs. We learned early on that life was going to be different and Bree was not going to be traveling the same path as her siblings. Instead of soccer or t-ball, Bree was going to speech and occupational therapy appointments. Playing basketball like her siblings wouldn’t be possible, since the sound of the buzzer and yelling of instructions sent her into sensory overload. For many years, Bree remained at home, not participating in any activities and other than her siblings, she had no friends. When Bree was 9, she asked again why she couldn’t participate in basketball and it broke my heart. I knew she didn’t understand that people would not comprehend why she covered her ears or may stop playing in the middle of the game when the noise became too much. Feeling hopeless, I reached out to learn about Special Olympics Illinois, even though I feared with her Autism diagnosis she may not qualify. Boy was I wrong!!! There were tons of sports Bree could participate in. She started off in rhythmic gymnastics, eventually switching over to artistic gymnastics. She joined basketball, something she waited years to play. She loved it!! Everyone understood her sensory struggles and when encouraged, she became a valued member of the team. So, she went on to join volleyball, softball and even powerlifting! Her confidence and abilities began to grow and in high school when a friend asked her to join the high school track team, she responded “Yes!” No longer afraid to try new things or step outside her comfort zone. It wasn’t easy, she came in last place often, but she was determined to not give up. Special Olympics gave her the confidence to believe in herself and that hasn’t stopped. Special Olympics also encouraged her musical abilities and invited her to be part of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Unified Project “Reach Up” sponsored by Coca Cola. The project included two professional artists and another young woman with special needs, the group sang live on ESPN in front of over 60,000 people at opening ceremonies. A girl, who couldn’t get opportunities, received an opportunity of a lifetime appearing on Good Morning America and at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The opportunities didn’t stop there, a child who once only had repetitive speech, trained to become a Special Olympics Global Messenger. She gives speeches and advocates for those who have challenges, just like her. She shares her story and how Special Olympics transforms lives for those who once had little opportunities to succeed. She recently gave a TEDx talk at Harper College on “Overcoming Autism”. Our family has traveled a unique path, and the most wonderful gift has been watching Bree grow and succeed. We have gone from believing she would never participate or be included, to never being home.