Finish Line has been a Platinum Partner of Special Olympics since 2012, empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) all over the world. Finish Line’s partnership includes international support of Special Olympics’ fitness and health programming, local Program sponsorship in the United States, robust volunteer engagement, and in-store fundraising during the holiday season.
History of Support
Finish Line, together with The Finish Line Youth Foundation, mobilizes volunteers across the United States from their expansive retail footprint to provide volunteer support at competitions in 29 states throughout the year. Finish Line volunteers play an active and vital role in local Programs, including Special Olympics Indiana, where Finish Line is headquartered.
Since 2012, Finish Line has been instrumental in supporting innovative approaches to improve athlete fitness. Finish Line sponsored both TRAIN and STRIVE, key assessment stations measuring athletes’ physical fitness and improvement over time. In 2015, Finish Line expanded its support of fitness programming to include 13 grants to support the implementation of new fitness tools, tactics, and best practices at the local Program level.
Consumer Fundraising
During the holiday season, The Finish Line Youth Foundation runs an at-register fundraising campaign in all of Finish Line’s stores across the country to support Special Olympics. Top earning stores are rewarded by providing a local grant to support Special Olympics athletes and programs in their hometown. The holiday campaign raises awareness for the partnership locally as well as introduces shoppers to the Special Olympics movement.
Leadership in Special Olympics Movement
Additionally, Finish Line's commitment to Special Olympics extends to board leadership on the International and Program level. Glenn Lyon, Executive Chairman of Finish Line serves on Special Olympics International Board of Directors. Marty Posch, President of the Finish Line Youth Foundation serves on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Indiana.
Special Olympics is proud to have Finish Line as a partner in our fight for inclusion. Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics comments. "We are a sports organization and Finish Line is a great sports brand with a passion to celebrate the achievements of athletes everywhere. Finish Line's commitment to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities will be a tremendous asset as we continue to work to promote acceptance and inclusion for all people."