Mission: Special Olympics Colorado provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual ... (More)
Special Olympics Colorado is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1975, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Contact Information
http://www.specialolympicsco.org/
12450 East Arapahoe Road
Suite C
Centennial CO 80112
You are viewing this organization's new Charity Navigator profile page. To view the legacy version, click here.
Star Rating System by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.
Good
This charity's score is 87.58, earning it a 3-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 82.91 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 96.00 View details
This score represents Form 990 data from 2019, the latest year published by the IRS.
View this organization’s historical ratings.
Star Rated Report
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Program Expense Ratio
73.7%
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s).
This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Administrative Expenses
6.9%
As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Expenses
19.3%
This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
13.4%
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).
Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency
$0.18
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital Ratio
0.74 years
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Growth
3.14%
We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Yn/Y0)(1/n)]-1, where Y0 is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Yn is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y0 and Yn.
Source: IRS Form 990
Governance
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990
| Governance: | |
|---|---|
| Independent Voting Board Members ... (More) | |
| No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) A diversion of assets – any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories:
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| Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria.
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| Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More) | |
| Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More) | |
| Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More) | |
| Compensates Board ... (More) |
Policies
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Policies: | |
|---|---|
| Conflict of Interest ... (More) | |
| Whistleblower ... (More) | |
| Records Retention and Destruction ... (More) | |
| CEO Compensation Process ... (More) | |
| Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy in place and what it does and does not cover. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories:
The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less) |
Transparency
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Transparency: | |
|---|---|
| CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More) | |
| Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Audited Financial Statements on Website ... (More) | |
| Form 990 Available on Website ... (More) |
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons
Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Megan Scremin, President and CEO
$141,409 (2.74% of Total Expenses)
Mindy Watrous, Former President and CEO
$147,043 (2.85% of Total Expenses)
Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Business Master File Data
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Other instruction and training (BMF activity code: 149)
Aid to the handicapped (see also 031) (BMF activity code: 160)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources: IRS Forms 990
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Special Olympics Colorado reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Staffing
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We received PPP funding, but otherwise, there was not a significant financial impact.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
SOCO provided resources, guidelines and videos for the entire SOCO community that outlined how to continue participating in programming in a safe manner. Coaches and athletes wishing to participate in programming received, at no-cost, a Personal Protective Equipment kit or were able to build their own with reimbursement from SOCO that included hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, and masks. Coaches, athletes, and their families were also provided the following: 1. Return to Practice Guidelines 2. COVID-19 Code of Conduct, Waiver and Risk Form (required from all who participate) 3. Sign-In Sheet (all participants must sign-in at each practice) 4. Sport Specific Best Practices Other Resources: • Coaches returning to practice were mailed a package including laminated safety signage, sign-in sheets, waivers, 6 ft. pieces of string (for physical distancing) and pens to help through this process. • Teams could also purchase touchless thermometers using SOCO funds
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) staff continued to work tirelessly to provide critical programs and services to children, youth, and adults across the state with intellectual disabilities (ID). SOCO’s team created virtual content on the organization’s website and social media outlets to keep participants engaged, healthy, active, and socially connected – all to maintain a sense of normalcy and emotional wellness during difficult times. Additionally, with over 460 Colorado schools implementing school-based programming to enhance inclusion and awareness for students with disabilities, SOCO transposed resources to a virtual platform. The goal was to lessen the impact of students not being physically present at school by providing resources to teachers, families, and students, including: 1. Pre-school level at-home activity and nutrition guides 2. Reading club materials 3. Educational flash cards to encourage healthy habits and activities 4. Health and fitness curriculum
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Support from generous donors allowed Special Olympics Colorado to be nimble and meet the needs of our athletes, through the creation of new health and wellness challenges, bingo and trivia games, and at-home equipment so athletes were able to try new sports in a safe environment. Additionally, SOCO offered virtual cooking classes, education on the health impacts of Covid, virtual dances, as well as resources for the families of younger athletes. Since there is a still an uphill battle with the pandemic, we are keeping these programs going for athletes and the greater Special Olympics community.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 8/3/2021 | 2019 | 87.58 | |
| 6/1/2021 | 2019 | 85.62 | |
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 12/1/2019 | 2018 | 90.78 |  |
| 12/21/2018 | 2017 | 89.32 | |
| 3/1/2018 | 2016 | 86.37 | |
| 5/1/2017 | 2015 | 83.54 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 82.82 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 12/1/2015 | 2014 | 83.55 | |
| 5/1/2015 | 2013 | 85.32 | |
| 12/1/2013 | 2012 | 85.41 | |
| 3/1/2013 | 2011 | 82.94 | |
| 3/1/2012 | 2010 | 74.35 |  |
| 9/20/2011 | 2009 | 69.11 |  |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 2/1/2011 | 2009 | 56.31 | |
| 6/1/2010 | 2008 | 56.80 | |
| 12/1/2008 | 2007 | 56.66 | |
| 2/1/2008 | 2006 | 71.61 | |
| 4/1/2007 | 2005 | 63.29 | |
| 8/1/2005 | 2004 | 71.28 | |
| 3/1/2005 | 2003 | 65.23 | |
Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Special Olympics Colorado cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Do you work at Special Olympics Colorado? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Special Olympics Colorado reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
$2,460,349
Spent in most recent FY
70%
Percent of program expenses
Special Olympics
$546,041
Spent in most recent FY
15%
Percent of program expenses
Unified Sports
$466,298
Spent in most recent FY
13%
Percent of program expenses
Health Programming
Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
This score provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Special Olympics Colorado is a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.
Leadership & Adaptability Report
100
of 100 points
Mission
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence, and fulfillment — on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Strategic Goals
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Enhance Experience
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Expand Reach
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Empower Athletes and Others to Drive Change
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) remains committed to leadership development in order to attract, retain, and grow talent that helps drive strategy and increase success for the organization. Therefore, SOCO invests in the professional development of every employee, of their choice, each year.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Mobilizing for Mission
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Special Olympics is a trusted organization supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities statewide for more than 50 years. Our work succeeds in changing lives, building advocacy networks, and creating a lasting positive impact. SOCO serves more than 15,000 athletes, as well as engaging families, friends, caretakers, and healthcare professionals involved in Special Olympics. Partners include schools and districts, medical professionals, and more than 8,000 volunteers. As we work side-by-side with our partners, SOCO develops shared-value partnerships, compelling marketing initiatives and immersive employee engagement opportunities. These collaborations further our ability to deliver lifesaving and life-changing interventions to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Story of Adaptability
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Social isolation, for so many, can have profound impacts on mental health. However, for many Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID), social isolation is part of their daily lives. Countless athletes look to SOCO for providing a place to participate, find friends, and a community where they are accepted. Due to the organization’s school programming, sports trainings and competitions, leadership courses and health screenings being canceled or postponed during the year, SOCO athletes were feeling secluded more than ever. Since SOCO programming is many times an athlete’s only form of community and communication, it is imperative that we continued programming and assist athletes with developing coping skills during this time. In order to combat the mental toll that the viral outbreak took on individuals with ID, SOCO made swift and innovative actions to maintain continued interactions between athletes, staff, coaches, teammates, and the entire SOCO community. While most were physically distant, it did not mean that athletes needed to be socially distant or sedentary. Through virtual web-based content, social media, and at-home resources, Special Olympics Colorado provided athletes with ID, of all ages, the opportunity to: 1. Continue sport drills and trainings with resources and workouts 2. Access to fitness materials 3. View and follow exercise videos 4. Watch healthy cooking classes 5. Receive at-home activity guides for children 6. Attend weekly networking webinars 7. Download health and fitness curriculums and supplemental materials for students 8. Join online fitness challenges through Facebook 9. Attend virtual walks By pivoting to a virtual platform so quickly, these activities offered the continuity necessary to counteract the enhanced stress and anxiety athletes were experiencing during such uncertain times.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
Megan Scremin
President, CEO
Mackenzie Beauvais-Nikl & John Shukie
Co-Chairs
Previous: Leadership & Adaptability
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves. Learn more about how and why we rate Culture & Community.
Culture & Community Score
100
out of 100
Special Olympics Colorado has earned a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating. The organization provided data about how it listens to constituents (Constituent Feedback) and its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) practices (see report below).
The Culture & Community Beacon is comprised of the following metrics:
Constituent Feedback: 100/100 (30% of beacon score)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: 100/100 (70% of beacon score)
Culture & Community Report
100
of 100 points
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
100/100 points
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 11 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
View this organization's DEI Strategies
Methodology
We are utilizing data collected by Candid to document and assess the DEI practices implemented by the organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the Equity Strategies section of their Candid profiles to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Constituent Feedback
100/100 points
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
View this organization's Constituent Feedback Practices
Methodology
We've partnered with Candid to survey organizations about their feedback practices. Nonprofit organizations can fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Below you can find more information about the metrics we currently evaluate in this beacon and their relevance to nonprofit performance.
Constituent Feedback
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
