NEWS Release - Bank of America Expands Support of Special Olympics, Reinforces Commitment to Inclusion
Bank of America Will Support Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Initiatives, Special Olympics USA and the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle
Special Olympics and Bank of America announced today an expanded strategic sponsorship through 2018. This extension builds on more than 30 years of support between the organizations and reinforces Bank of America’s commitment to fostering inclusion. As part of the agreement, Bank of America will serve as a premier partner for Special Olympics USA, as well as an official financial services partner of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle. The company will also support Athlete Leadership initiatives across the country.
“Our long-standing relationship with Special Olympics is a demonstration of our company’s belief that diverse and inclusive communities are stronger communities,” said Anne Finucane, Bank of America vice chairman and a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. “Our focus on fostering diversity and inclusion as a way to promote understanding and dialogue starts with our own employee programs and extends through our partnership with organizations like Special Olympics that share this goal.”
“Our relationship with Bank of America has spanned over three decades of dedicated support, and in that time, they have significantly helped empower people with intellectual disabilities through their employee engagement efforts and focus on diversity and inclusion, thereby creating more inclusive communities where people are truly living and playing unified,” said Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis. “We are thrilled to announce their expanded commitment to Special Olympics USA and to our upcoming 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle. Additionally, by fostering our Athlete Leadership initiatives, Bank of America is giving our athletes more opportunities to have a voice for change in their local communities.”
Funding from Bank of America will support:
Leadership Excellence: Bank of America will continue to support Athlete Leadership through local, regional and global programs including athlete councils, regional trainings, local program grant support and the Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers.
Special Olympics 2018 USA Games in Seattle: Bank of America will serve as an official financial services partner of the Games. See announcement.
Special Olympics USA: Bank of America will serve as a premier supporter and an official financial services partner of the Special Olympics USA national teams competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria 2017.
Strategic partnership extends 30-year relationship
As a long-standing supporter, Bank of America, through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, has given more than $14 million to support Special Olympics through local and national philanthropic giving, as well as matching individual employee donations. Employees have also contributed countless volunteer hours in support of Special Olympics. Last year alone, 4,500 Bank of America employees volunteered nearly 30,000 hours to support activities leading up to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The bank was recently honored by ESPN as the 2016 recipient of its inaugural Corporate Community Impact Award, which acknowledges a corporation that uses the power of sports to help advance a social issue, cause or community organization. The bank was recognized for its sponsorship of the 2015 Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America, and as part of the award, will direct a $100,000 grant from ESPN to Special Olympics.
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