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Iowa Special Olympics Inc

EIN 51-0176029 · Grimes, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS IOWA IS TO PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND SPORTS TRAINING AND ATHLETIC COMPETITION IN A VARIETY OF OLYMPIC-TYPE SPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES BY GIVING THEM CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL FITNESS, DEMONSTRATE COURAGE, EXPERIENCE JOY, AND PARTICIPATE IN SHARING OF GIFTS, SKILLS, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES, OTHER SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES, AND THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
24
Volunteers
3,748
Highest pay
$185,004, 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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, 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. $1.7 million spent. GAMES AND COMPETITION PROVIDES OLYMPIC STYLE TRAINING AND COMPETITION IN TWENTY-THREE DIFFERENT SPORTS THROUGHT THE YEAR FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.
  2. $628,834 spent. UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS BRINGS TOGETHER ATHLETES WITH AND WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES THROUGH EDUCATION, SPORTS, AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN SCHOOL COMMUNITIES THAT PROMOTE ACCEPTANCE AND RESPECT.
  3. $77,216 spent. HEALTHY ATHLETES IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND FITNESS. THIS CAN LEAD TO A BETTER SPORTS EXPERIENCE AND IMPROVED WELL-BEING. ATHLETES RECEIVE A VARIETY OF HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH CLINICS CONDUCTED IN WELCOMING ENVIRONMENTS AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMPETITIONS.
  4. $130,011 spent. YOUNG ATHLETES PLAY DAYS ARE AN INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS. CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN ELEVEN DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, REPRESENTING ELEVEN DIFFERENT SPORTS OFFERED BY SPECIAL OLYMPICS. THE PROGRAM HELPS INCREASE THE YOUNG CHILDREN'S STRENGTH AND COORDINATION FOR SPORTS WHILE INTRODUCING THEM TO GROUP PLAY, COOPERATION, AND AWARENESS OF RULES.MOTOR ACTIVITY TRAINING INTRODUCE TEAM SPORTS ADAPTED FOR THE SEVERE AND PROFOUND AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRADITIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAMS. ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS BOCCE, RAMP BOWLING, BALLOON VOLLEYBALL, TEAM BASKETBALL, BASKETBALL SHOOT, BATTING, BALL DARTS, GOLF, SHOT PUT, RACE WALK, AND WALL PASS ARE MODIFIED TO ALLOW YOUTH AND ADULTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A TEAM OR AS AN INDIVIDUAL. VOLUNTEERS AND SWITCH ACTIVATED EQUIPMENT ARE ON SITE TO ASSIST THE ATHLETES AS THEY PARTICIPATE IN EACH EVENT.ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROVIDES AN EDUCATION PROGRAM TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN LITERACY, LEADERSHIP, AND SPEAKING SKILLS.

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 October 13, 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 December 1977.

    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 October 21, 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 October 13, 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.