Special Olympics Northern California Inc
Special Olympics Northern California is a public charity based in Pleasant Hill, California. It provides free, year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, alongside school, health and wellness, and athlete leadership programs.
Key facts about Special Olympics Northern California Inc
In short: Special Olympics Northern California Inc gave $1.0M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $87K), mostly in Nevada. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 68-0363121
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,042,009
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- Average grant
- $86,834
- Median grant
- $10,450
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $17,289,048
- Primary geography
- Nevada (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$17.3M
-29.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+187.0% YoY
Grant Count
12
-7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$87K
+210.9% YoY
Is Special Olympics Northern California Inc open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $94K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $11K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to create an inclusive community where people with and without intellectual disabilities can make connections, develop healthy lifestyles, achieve success, and experience the joy of sports. Its programs include sports training and competition, school partnerships that promote inclusion through unified sports and whole-school activities, and health and wellness services such as fitness and health screenings.
The organization’s 2024 filing reports support for Special Olympics Nevada Inc. for local Nevada programming. It also lists grants to school districts and a county education office for school-day programs; the filing does not provide those recipients’ mission statements.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the organization reported 12 grants totaling $1,042,009. Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $792,484, with a median of $10,450.
The largest grant was $792,484 to Special Olympics Nevada Inc. to support the start of a separate new Special Olympics program in Nevada. Other notable grants included $65,000 to Contra Costa County Office of Education and $60,000 to San Francisco Unified School District, both to support school-day programs. Dublin Unified School District received $35,000, and Mission Valley SELPA received $30,000, also for school-day programs.
No application process, materials, restrictions, or deadline are stated in the available information.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in Nevada and California: 76% of grant dollars went to Nevada and 24% to California. The largest grant supported the start of a separate Special Olympics program in Nevada; the other listed grants supported school-day programs in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $166K (2020) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Special Olympics Nevada Inc ($792K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 55 (84%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Special Olympics Nevada Inc Las Vegas, NV | Support start of separate new special olympics program in nv | $792,484 |
| Contra Costa Cnty Office of Ed Pleasant Hill, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $65,000 |
| San Francisco USD San Francisco, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $60,000 |
| Dublin Unified School Distr Dublin, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $35,000 |
| Mission Valley Selpa Fremont, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $30,000 |
| Santa Rosa City Schools Santa Rosa, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $10,900 |
| Monterey Peninsula USD Monterey, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $10,000 |
| Fairfield-Suisun USD Fairfield, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $9,250 |
| West Contra Costa Cnty USD Richmond, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $8,000 |
| Santa Clara USD Santa Clara, CA | Support school day based programs in local school district(s) or selpa(s) | $7,875 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $17,289,048 | $8,486,095 | $15,685,090 | $1,042,009 |
| 2023 | $24,444,252 | $11,366,297 | $14,445,629 | $363,040 |
| 2022 | $27,606,694 | $26,413,746 | $11,472,039 | $297,871 |
The organization’s website lists audited financial statements for 2022, 2023, and 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,289,048 | $24,444,252 | $27,606,694 |
| Revenue | $8,486,095 | $11,366,297 | $26,413,746 |
| Expenses | $15,685,090 | $14,445,629 | $11,472,039 |
| Net Investment Income | $515,189 | $643,793 | $95,532 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Chuck Koch as chair, Mike Teske as vice chair, and Michele Wymer as secretary. Directors listed are Paul Adler, Tom Albanese, Prak Bebarta, Brent Bounds, Nuzha Bukhari, Patrick Cronin, and Tim Curry.
Special Olympics Northern California Inc is led by David Solo, CEO & President on every filing since 2020; 10 of 42 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Solo
CEO & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$243K (2020) → $312K (2024)
Chuck Koch
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Andrews
Senior Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$126K (2021) → $121K (2024)
Paula Gogin
Director of Individual Giving
Development Director & Indiv Giving → Director of Individual Giving, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $124K (2024)
Brent Bounds
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Winter
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Welsh
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Wilfred
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Linton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Steinberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Ruiz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Margolin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nuzha Bukhari
Director
Audit Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Velaski
Director
Finance Chair → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Rahm
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Curry
Director
Board Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Albanese
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Lyntikainen
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Garlick
Director
Emeritus → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Rich
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Cronin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Prak Bebarta
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Drew Fraser
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jt Marcinkowski
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Hing
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne Voltaggio
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nichole Walker
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Dolinko
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anjuli Nanda
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Haley Ford
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyla Grogan
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Adler
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Domanski
CDO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $213K (2024)
Ilisa Kessler
COO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$163K (2020) → $201K (2024)
Matt Cohen
Cpo
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $177K (2024)
Michael A. Mayo
CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$147K (2020) → $222K (2024)
Jess Daugherty
Head of Marketing
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $117K (2024)
Katie Ostrom
Vice President, Development & Letr
Assistant Vice President, Development & Torch Run → Vice President, Development & Letr, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $125K (2024)
Heather Jones
Vice President & Schools Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$129K (2024)
Michele Wymer
Secretary
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Teske
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Erin Hattersley (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Joe McLean (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lasandra Brill (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Michael Grey (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Mike Kim (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Mike Thompson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ron Pasek (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Terrence Thornton (2020–2023) — Nv Executive Director
- Former: Joanne Pasternack (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Joyce Whitney-Silva (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Rob Salmon (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Danielle Liebl (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jane Chen (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rob Ferguson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Ching (2020–2021) — Special Olympics Athlete
- Former: Jeff Ruthenberg (2021) — Vice President & Sports
- Former: Lesley Davidson (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Gary Gauba (2020) — Director
- Former: Julie Bell (2020) — Director
- Former: Kara Buckley (2020) — Director
- Former: Lawrence Garlick (2020) — Emeritus
- Former: Sheila Jordan (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $312K, to David Solo (CEO/President). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 3480 Buskirk Avenue 340, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 944-8801
Website: https://sonc.org
Frequently asked questions about Special Olympics Northern California Inc
How much does Special Olympics Northern California Inc give each year?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc gave $1.0M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $363K across 13 grants.
What is Special Olympics Northern California Inc's typical grant size?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,450, and its average grant was $86,834, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Special Olympics Northern California Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does Special Olympics Northern California Inc give grants?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc gives mostly in Nevada: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (24%).
Does Special Olympics Northern California Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Special Olympics Northern California Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Special Olympics Northern California Inc's largest grantees?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Special Olympics Nevada Inc ($792,484), Contra Costa Cnty Office of Ed ($65,000) and San Francisco USD ($60,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Special Olympics Northern California Inc?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc reported $17.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.5M.
What does Special Olympics Northern California Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to create an inclusive community where people with and without intellectual disabilities can make connections, develop healthy lifestyles, achieve success, and experience the joy of sports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Special Olympics Northern California Inc?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check sonc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Special Olympics Northern California Inc's EIN?
Special Olympics Northern California Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0363121. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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