Accreditation

Special Olympics accredits Programs to ensure the worldwide quality, and ultimately the growth, of the Special Olympics Movement. These downloadable and viewable resources will help Programs complete the process.

ACCREDITATION IN THE GENERAL RULES

WHAT ACCREDITATION OFFERS

ACCREDITATION SYSTEM LOGIN

2024 ACCREDITATION GUIDE

This guide includes everything you need to know in order to complete your Program’s accreditation requirements (in PDF format).

ADJUSTED GROSS REVENUE FORM 2022

(Use this form for the 2024 fee)
Accredited Programs outside the United States submit financial information annually on the AGR Form (PDF).

ACCREDITATION LICENSE AGREEMENT 2024 – 2025

This license agreement sets forth the legal requirements and rights of accreditation. A copy of the English version must be signed by the Program’s Board Chair when applying for accreditation.

ACCREDITATION FEES POLICY

Each accredited Program is required to pay accreditation fees annually. This policy includes fee formulas and procedures.

LETTERHEAD TEMPLATE

RELATED RESOURCES

Athlete Registration Forms (webpage) Instructions and templates for athlete registration.
Founding Committee Application (PDF) Using this application, a founding group of at least six persons may apply to be recognized as a Founding Committee for a nation or other territory that does not yet have a Special Olympics Accredited Program.
Model Program Bylaws (DOCX) This document is a template of the recommended terms to be used in the governing documents of Special Olympics Programs. Note that accreditation requires two specific provisions to be included in a Program’s governing documents: (1) the Special Olympics Mission Statement, and (2) a board rotation provision limiting the Program’s board members to no more than nine consecutive years of service.
Financial Audit Waiver Request 2024 (DOCX) Programs with total revenues more than US$100,000 are required to submit audited financial statements to SOI. This template can be used to request a temporary waiver from the requirement. Programs requesting a waiver must have a plan to begin annual financial audits by the end of the waiver period. Programs with total revenues less than US$100,000 automatically receive a waiver and do not need to make a request. See the Accreditation Fees Policy for details.
Operational Plan Template (Single-Year) 2024 (DOCX) This template can be used to create your Program's single-year operational plan.
English • Russian • Spanish
Operational Plan Template (Multi-Year) 2024 (DOCX) Optionally, this template can be used instead of the single-year plan if your Program prefers a multi-year plan.
English • Russian • Spanish
Board of Directors List Accreditation Template 2024 – 2025 (XLSX) This document can be used to submit your Board of Directors list and years of service under application question 2.1.
Bank Information Form (PDF) Use this form to submit your bank information when signing SOI grant agreements. User tip: Save the completed form so you can easily resubmit it with your next grant agreement if your bank information has not changed.
Board Term Waiver Request Template 2024 (DOCX)
General Waiver Request Template 2024 (DOCX)
International Deadline Extension Request Template 2024 (DOCX)
US Deadline Extension Request Template 2024 (DOCX)
Budget Template 2024 (XLSX)
Accreditation Fee Invoice Payment Instructions (PDF)