How to Support the Special Olympics

Every year, the Special Olympics helps over 2 million people with intellectual disabilities express themselves by participating in training and competitions in 30 different sports, in over 160 countries. However, there are approximately 190 million people with intellectual disabilities throughout the world. With your support, the Special Olympics can strive to increase the number of people they touch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Go to the Special Olympics website and make a donation online. Click "Support" in the center of the homepage, then select "Online Donation" from the list on the left side of the page. You must fill out all required information on the donation form, including your name, address, donation amount and credit card information.
2. Donate to the Special Olympics by mail. Print and complete the mail-in form, available as a PDF file on the Special Olympics website, and send it to the address provided on the form. You can pay with a credit card or check when you donate by mail.
3. Call the Special Olympics and donate over the phone by credit card. Within the United States, you can call [phone]. From other countries, dial [phone]. You can donate by phone Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST.
4. Make a donation in honor of someone special by sending a tribute card either via the online donation form, the mail-in form or by telephone. The Special Olympics sends the person you're honoring an elegant 5-by-7 inch card with both a printed standard message and optional personal message.
5. Have your company match employees' donations to the Special Olympics. Many companies have matching gift programs, so talk to your personnel office to see if your company has such a program. Mail your donation along with your company's matching gift form to Special Olympics, Attn: Donor Development, 1133 19th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.
6. Donate your frequent flyer miles to the Special Olympics. They're used to cover or contribute to travel for athletes, coaches and staff for Special Olympics events. You can donate frequent flyer miles from Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. Visit the "Frequent Flyer Miles" page under the "Support" heading of the Special Olympics website for more information.
7. Give a donation to the Special Olympics instead of party favors for guests at weddings, birthday parties, bar or bat mitzvahs, confirmations or other special events. For your donation, the Special Olympics provides an elegant place card for each guest, which says, "On this special occasion, a generous donation has been made to Special Olympics in your honor."

Tips & Warnings

• The Special Olympics accepts credit card donations by Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card.
• To make the arrangements to give a donation in lieu of party favors, contact Steven Scott, Special Olympics Donor Services Coordinator, by telephone at [phone] or via email at [e-mail].
• You can also give a planned gift to the Special Olympics by doing such things as allocating a portion of your will for the charity, donating a portion of your life insurance and donating personal property. For more options and information on making a planned gift, email [e-mail] or call [phone].