The next edition of Special Olympics, defined as “a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities”, will be held in Minnesota, United States of America, in June 2026, and the 1-year countdown has begun this week.
Timed with the countdown, Special Olympics International and Bank of America (BofA) have announced a USD 5 million grant, meant for expanding programmes that empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to serve as leaders in their communities, seek competitive employment, and realise their full potential.
The 3-year grant will support the infrastructure and growth of Special Olympics Athlete Leadership and Unified Leadership programming at the local, regional, national, and global levels, including expansion of the programming to Special Olympics’ Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America regions.
Outlining its work, the website of Special Olympics says: “Special Olympics harnesses the power of unification through sport as its primary platform. However, our mission extends far beyond the realm of competition. We aim to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity, ensuring that the 6.5 million people with ID in the United States and the 200 million globally are no longer subjected to injustice, exclusion, and discrimination. Too often, individuals with ID are denied their basic human rights, an issue we strive to rectify.”
A media release announcing the USD 5 million grant says: “The funding will specifically enable Special Olympics to grow and scale the delivery of their workforce readiness trainings, Athlete Leadership programming, and Unified Leadership, a training co-developed and facilitated by people with IDD that is designed to develop inclusive mindsets to facilitate a more accepting and inclusive workplace for people of all abilities.”
It adds: “To date, the training has been offered to more than 2,000 businesses, schools, and community organisations around the world.”
Bank of America’s support comes at a crucial time as we work to expand equitable access to leadership opportunities for Special Olympics athletes. They recognise that Special Olympics athletes are among the most impactful voices for inclusion. Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities are meaningfully included in all conversations and have the platform to lead.
Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics
Bank of America will also serve as a Platinum Partner of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which will take place next year on June 20-26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
As part of the partnership, Bank of America will sponsor the sport of golf at the USA Games, which brings more than 159 athletes and 40 caddies to the competition. This commitment builds on the bank’s ‘Golf with Us’ initiative, launched earlier in 2025 to bring more people into the game of golf across the United States.
In addition to an average of 10,000 employee volunteer and engagement hours provided annually focused on the disability community, this sponsorship gives the bank’s Minneapolis area and surrounding market employees opportunities to volunteer and demonstrate their support for Special Olympics athletes, families and coaches.
Minneapolis-St. Paul President Lucas Giambelluca serves on the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games host committee board of directors.
“Partnering with Bank of America gives athletes like me, who are part of the Athlete Leadership Programme, the chance to grow our leadership skills. Through the programme, I’ve learnt photography and gained confidence in public speaking,” says Charlotte Miller from Special Olympics Indiana.
“I also enjoy teaching other athletes about Better Money Habits. I’ve been an instructor for over a year, and the training has helped Special Olympics athletes learn how to save and manage money more effectively. I’m thrilled to be attending my first Special Olympics USA Games, where I’ll be competing in golf and getting the chance to meet incredible people from all over the country,” she says.
Bank of America’s decades-long support of Special Olympics is rooted in shared values and continues the company’s longstanding commitment to strengthening local communities and economic opportunities through philanthropic giving, workforce development, and volunteerism through thousands of employees around the globe.
The bank is committed to creating an environment where all teammates, including those with non-visible and visible disabilities, have an opportunity to succeed and achieve their goals.
Sports have a unique ability to unite people, and for nearly 50 years, Bank of America has seen this through our partnership with Special Olympics, as we work to advance their global movement grounded in fostering opportunity for people of all abilities.
AJ Barkley, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Bank of America
“Our continued philanthropic investment and sponsorship of the 2026 USA Games underscores our commitment to empowering every individual to lead and thrive across the global communities we serve,” says the CSR head.
BofA’s Support Services team, an in-house marketing and fulfilment operations team for over 30 years, is staffed with more than 300 employees with IDD.
With more than 23,000 members and 30 chapters worldwide, the company’s Disability Action Network (DAN) connects employees to professional growth and development, holds information forums and fosters community involvement.
Additionally, in partnership with Special Olympics and the National Disability Institute, Bank of America has created a series of Better Money Habits educational resources to help people with intellectual disabilities achieve financial independence.
