In the 38 years since its founding, Special Olympics has become a movement that is active in over 160 countries, reaching more than 2.25 million athletes, 700,000-plus volunteers, millions of committed family members and other engaged stakeholders. Our daily, year-round mission is to provide sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. The result is that lives change — not only the lives of Special Olympics athletes, but also those of everyone they touch. This includes the many world leaders, CEOs and celebrities who lend their support to Special Olympics, helping to raise awareness and funds for the movement. The finish line at the cross country skiing venue at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Coca-Cola Company has been affiliated with Special Olympics since 1968, and was the movement's first corporate sponsor. Over the years the Coca-Cola Company has provided executive support and millions of dollars in funding to Special Olympics Programs around the world. "Because it is truly grass roots, Special Olympics allows our bottlers to become involved on a local level, while its worldwide reach makes it a perfect match for the global Coca-Cola systems." Stu Cross, Vice President, Corporate Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company Additional testimonials from Special Olympics corporate partners Every two years all of our community-based programming culminates in one of two signature events—the Special Olympics World Summer Games or World Winter Games. Each of these Games is a major international sporting event where thousands of Special Olympics athletes from all over the world participate in competition with the support of volunteers, coaches, officials, family members and spectators. For marketers of global businesses and brands interested in building awareness and growth, there is no better partner than the Special Olympics movement, as we provide extensive marketing opportunities around the world. A strategic partnership with Special Olympics offers a unique branding opportunity for your organization. By developing an integrated branding and marketing strategy with Special Olympics, your company will be able to extend its brand with campaigns that reach diverse local communities while signifying global strength and presence. Our community-based programming, initiatives and World Games provide corporate supporters with real and tangible evidence that their support makes a difference during a time where “corporate social responsibility” has become an increasingly visible corporate metric. Click here to learn more about Partnership Opportunities. For more information, contact Tanya Baskin, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, at +1 (202) 628-3630 or tbaskin@specialolympics.org. For more information about corporate partnerships on a regional, national, state/provincial or local level, contact the appropriate Special Olympics region or Program. To locate a region or Program, use our Program Locator. Read testimonials from Special Olympics corporate partners: A Word from Our Partners.