Search

An Overview of the Special Olympics Program Accreditation Process

Share Share

Special Olympics accredits Programs to ensure the worldwide quality, and ultimately the growth, of the Special Olympics Movement. 

Need More Information?

For more information, please contact Steve Keener in the Special Olympics Legal Department at skeener@specialolympics.org.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a method of assuring that every Program meets the essential core requirements of the Special Olympics mission and also certain minimum management and financial requirements. The accreditation requirements are designed to enable Programs to demonstrate compliance by completing a short accreditation application with information that is easily verifiable by Special Olympics regional and legal staff.


Accreditation in the General Rules

To learn more about accreditation, see Article 6 of the Special Olympics Official General Rules.

How Does Accreditation Work?

When a Program satisfies the accreditation requirements, Special Olympics signs that Program’s Accreditation License Agreement, which grants the Program the legal right to use the Special Olympics name, logo and other trademarks within its jurisdiction, to conduct Special Olympics sports and related activities, and to raise funds under the Special Olympics name. In addition, Programs gain access to numerous benefits of accreditation, including shared strategy and vision, global leadership and resources, international competitions and summits, risk management guidance and support, global brand marketing, and access to financial resources through grants, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.