Special Olympics of Rhode Island provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for people with intellectual disabilities. It is governed by a 24-member board of directors and funded through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events like an annual auction and torch run. The organization has a staff of 11 led by CEO Dennis DeJesus, who works to raise $1.6 million annually to support the mission of bringing joy and building confidence through sports.

1. Special Olympics Of Rhode Island
Serves Rhode Island’s people who have intellectual disabilities.
It gives them opportunities to participate in sports.
Through sports, they have fun, make friends and develop confidence.
It has programs to educate people not to make fun of people with
intellectual disabilities.

2. Mission Statement
• “To Provide Year-round sports training and athletic
competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for
individuals with intellectual disabilities by giving them
continuous 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.”

3. The Athletes

4. Board of Directors and Sponsors
• Special Olympics of Rhode Island is governed
by a Board Of Directors with 24 members.
• There are Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze
Sponsors including Cox, CVS, Dunkin Donuts,
and Bank of America.
• There is a Staff of 11 people
• The CEO is Dennis DeJesus, who raises money
to support a budget of $1.6 million each year.

5. Local teams Throughout RI

6. Fundraising
• General Donations maybe made by mail or online
at www.specialolympicsri.org.
• Memorial Gifts are given to remember a loved
one who has died.
• Recognition Gifts are given to commemorate
birthday’s, anniversaries, etc.
• Vehicles donated to SORI are sold at auction and
the proceeds are used.
• Annual Auction was posted online with live
streaming and was carried on a Cox TV station.

7. Capital Campaign
• There is a Capital Campaign to raise $3.65 million
for a new headquarters building in Smithfield.
Rhode Island.
• It has already raised $2.9 million from
corporations, friends, and families of the Special
Olympics Athletes.

8. Fundraising Events
• Annual Torch Run. As in the Olympics, a flame
is carried throughout the state of Rhode Island
where Police, Firemen, State Police, and
Correctional Officers carry The “Flame of
Hope” just before the opening Summer
Games.
• This is a fundraising event that also publicizes
the cause.

9. Marketing and Brand Awareness
Special Olympics was founded in 1960 by Eunice
Kennedy Shriver.
This is the logo. The Brand has worldwide recognition.
The Special Olympics Games follow the same format as
the Olympics Games.
A torch is carried and lit to start the games.
Medalists win Gold Silver and Bronze medals.

10. Donor Relations
• New donors are identified by telemarketing,
people attending events, and word of mouth
from local families.
• The National Special Olympics organization
pays for a direct mail campaign that is sent to
Rhode Island residents. Any donations are
split 50/50 between the national organization
and the Rhode Island Program.

11. CEO and Chief Fundraiser
• “Remember the people you serve and take
them (in your heart) with you on every
fundraising visit. If you truly believe in the
mission and vision of the non-profit you serve,
it's not hard asking for money.”
-Dennis DeJesus