Empowering Athletes, Uniting Communities

With Special Olympics Ireland, people starting age 4 and up with intellectual disabilities participate in 15 different sports through the organization. Through their partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, almost 7000 athletes receive support in developing skills and building communities. Special Olympics Ireland provides life-changing experiences to athletes all over the country.  

In 2023, participants went all the way to Berlin for the Special Olympics World Summer Games and returned with 75 medals in 12 different sports. The teams saw overwhelming support for citizens of Ireland as the 73 athletes travelled to represent the country. 

But while the medals are a testament to hard work and excellence, they only tell part of the story. They provide a route through which people of all ages can learn to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. Stand-out initiatives like the Young Athletes Programme introduce children to wide varieties of sport, play, and physical activity. The early intervention helps these children to improve motor skills that will help them for the rest of their lives, while also learning to be more active in a fun and safe environment.  

We recognize the work Special Olympics Ireland does to empower people all over Ireland. Everything they do has a greater purpose: giving this marginalized group a community they can feel comfortable exploring their interests and making connections. This partnership reflects the shared values of our organizations of inclusion and lasting change. 

Community Foundation Ireland knows that having a community feeling like you belong somewhere is priceless. Through our strategic giving, we champion all 5,000 of our community-based partners in their missions to enact change in communities across Ireland as best as possible. Philanthropy does more than support organizations, and through our partnership with Special Olympics, we do more than promote sport. Together, we help thousands break down barriers, discover their potential, and find their strength in community.