LONG BEACH,Calif. (June 24, 2019) – Special Olympics Southern California is proud to announce Senator Ling Ling Chang has selected it as a 2019 California Nonprofit of the Year.
Bill Shumard, CEO of Special Olympics Southern California traveled to Sacramento to join 100 other nonprofit leaders to be honored by their state senators and assembly members during a celebration luncheon as part of California Nonprofits Day on June 5, 2019.
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of 37,800 athletes and their communities through sports, leadership, and athlete health programs. SOSC’s free, year-round programs lead to improved health, self-confidence, and independence among athletes with intellectual disabilities and acceptance and inclusion in the community. Special Olympics Southern California has earned a four-star ranking from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards. This ranking is the highest Charity Navigator offers to an organization and is given because Special Olympics has demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency.
“Every day, Special Olympic Southern California volunteers, employees, and corporate partners work together to make a positive difference in the lives for our athletes,” said Bill Shumard. “Each member of our organization embodies spreading acceptance, inclusion, and well-being for people with intellectual disabilities through sports. We are deeply humbled to be recognized by Senator Ling Ling Chang as a Nonprofit of the Year.”
“Nonprofits are often hidden in plain sight,” explains Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). “California Nonprofits Day is an opportunity for our elected officials to celebrate the good work they see nonprofits doing in their districts, and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities.”
Additional Background
California Nonprofits Day, now in its fourth year, was formally recognized by Assembly Concurrent Resolution 62, authored by the chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector, Assemblywoman Monique Limón (Santa Barbara). The day is organized by Assemblymember Limón and CalNonprofits.
According to “Causes Count,” a 2016 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the 4th largest industry in the state, employing nearly one million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate over $200 billion in revenue and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 450,000 full-time jobs every year.
Congratulations to all the staff , Donors and Volunteers who make a difference with their contribution for the success of Special Olympics.
Proud to be one of them.