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Special Olympics Nebraska Inc

EIN 47-0546346 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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
$3.7 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
21
Volunteers
6,526
Highest pay
$176,318, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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, 2024, 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. $492,561 spent. UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS - UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS (R) IS AN EDUCATION-BASED PROGRAM THAT USES SPORTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO ACTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL YOUTH ARE AGENTS OF CHANGE - FOSTERING RESPECT, DIGNITY AND ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ACROSS NEBRASKA. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES EARLY PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES TO CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AS YOUNG AS THE AGE OF 2. UNIFIED SPORTS PARTNERS THOSE WITH AND WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ON THE SAME TEAM. FREE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM PROVIDES SERVICE-LEARNING CURRICULUM AND LESSONS TO STUDENTS.
  2. $401,376 spent. SUMMER GAMES - NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE INCLUDING SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES, COACHES, VOLUNTEERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, SPECTATORS AND HONORED GUESTS ATTEND SUMMER GAMES IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA. FANS IN THE STANDS CHEER ON ATHLETES AS THEY COMPETE FOR MEDALS AND RIBBONS IN 4 SPORTS - AQUATICS, ATHLETICS, GYMNASTICS, AND VOLLEYBALL. ALONG WITH COMPETITIONS, SUMMER GAMES FEATURES FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS, A YOUNG ATHLETES DEMONSTRATION, LIVE MUSIC, 2 ATHLETE DANCES AND A CLOSING BANQUET. THE GAMES KICK OFF WITH A CELEBRATORY OPENING CEREMONY THAT INCLUDES FIRST-RATE ENTERTAINMENT AND THE PARADE OF ATHLETES.
  3. $157,852 spent. HEALTH - THE VISION FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS' HEALTH PROGRAM IS TO CREATE A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE WITH AND WITH OUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO BE HEALTHY. TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION IT IS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS, INCLUDING LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND RESOURCES. TO ACHIEVE EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH ID, CHANGES MUST OCCUR. THOSE CHANGES IMPACT INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, PROVIDERS, COMMUNITIES, GOVERNING BODIES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WHO INFLUENCE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. SPECIAL OLYMPICS AIMS TO CREATE A TIPPING POINT FOR INCLUSIVE HEALTH WHEREBY INCLUSION OF THOSE WITH ID BECOMES INTEGRATED INTO MAINSTREAM HEALTH POLICIES, PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES, TRAINING PROGRAMS AND FUNDING STREAMS.
  4. $1.1 million spent. OTHER COMPETITIONS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDE: SPRING GAMES, FALL GAMES, WORLD GAMES, FLAG FOOTBALL, AND UNIFIED BOWLING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1977.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Special Olympics Inc (Washington, DC), EIN 52-0889518. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.