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Special Olympics Connecticut Inc

EIN 23-7099756 · Hamden, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS IS TO 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.

Income
$10.8 million
Spending
$7.6 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
38
Volunteers
9,026
Highest pay
$251,847, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. SPECIAL OLYMPICS CONNECTICUT, INC. (SOCT) PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND SPORTS TRAINING AND ATHLETICS COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. WE SERVED 12,073 ATHLETES AND PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THROUGH LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR, SOCT HOSTED 372 TOURNAMENTS AND COMPETITIONS IN 24 DIFFERENT SPORTS. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON CONTRIBUTING TO THE LIFELONG PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THE STATE, OFFERING MANY VITAL NON-COMPETITION PROGRAMS SUCH AS UNIFIED SPORTS FITNESS CLUBS, WHICH COMBINE ATHLETES WITH AND WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THE SAME CLUBS TO PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF FITNESS ACTIVITIES. THE ATHLETES LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (ALPS), WHICH ALLOWS OUR ATHLETES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE TRAINED IN COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTING SKILLS. IN RETURN, SERVE AS SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ORGANIZATION; THE HEALTHY ATHLETES PROGRAM WHICH IS DESIGNED TO HELP OUR ATHLETES IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND FITNESS BY RECEIVING A VARIETY OF HEALTH SERVICES CONDUCTED BY CERTIFIED CLINICIANS; AND THE YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM WHICH FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING GROSS AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS, EYE/HAND COORDINATION AND SKILLS NECESSARY FOR THESE CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TO COMPLETE IN SPECIAL COMPETITION ONCE THEY REACH AGE 8. TOTAL DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES OF $2,880,234 SUPPORTED THESE PROGRAMS INITIATIVES.
  2. $2.3 million spent. WINTER GAMES - 522 ATHLETES AND PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TRAINED AND COMPETED IN THE OLYMPICS-STYLE WINTER SPORTS OF SNOWSHOEING, CROSS COUNTRY SKIING, ALPINE SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, FIGURE AND SPEED SKATING, CURLING, FLOOR HOCKEY, TRADITIONAL BASKETBALL AND GYMNASTICS. ATHLETES ALSO RECEIVED FREE HEALTH PROMOTIONS AND FUN FITNESS SCREENING AS PART OF OUR HEALTHY ATHLETES' PROGRAM. TOTAL DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES OF $420,606 SUPPORTED THESE INITIATIVES.
  3. $909,980 spent. SUMMER GAMES - 1,839 ATHLETES AND PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TRAINED AND COMPETED IN THE OLYMPIC-STYLE SUMMER GAMES SPORTS WHICH INCLUDES TRACK & FIELD, CYCLING, AQUATICS, SOCCER, AND TENNIS. ATHLETES ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE HEALTHY ATHLETES PROGRAM, DESIGNED TO HELP IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL HEALTH. THIS WAS CONDUCTED ON-SITE AT SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE SPORTS COMPETITION. HEALTHY ATHLETES CONSISTS OF 7 MAJOR CATEGORIES; SPECIAL SMILES, HEALTHY HEARING, OPENING EYES, FUN FITNESS, HEALTHY PROMOTIONS, FIT FIVE, AND FIT FEET. TOTAL DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES OF $215,401 SUPPORTED THESE INITIATIVES.
  4. $356,919 spent. UNIFIED SPORTS HOLIDAY CLASSIC - 2,073 ATHLETES AND PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TRAINED FOR THE OLYMPIC-STYLE SPORTS OF UNIFIED BASKETBALL, UNIFIED & TRADITIONAL BOWLING, POWER LIFTING, AND VOLLEYBALL. ATHLETES ALSO FREE DENTAL SCREENING AS PART OF THE "SPECIAL SMILES" SEGMENT AND STRESSED COUNSELING AS PART OF THE "STRONG MINDS" SEGMENT OF OUR HEALTHY ATHLETES' PROGRAM RESPECTIVELY. TOTAL DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES OF $69,766 SUPPORTED THESE INITIATIVES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.