The recipient entity's physical address:
           1010 W. 21st Ave.
Covington, LA 70433

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1010 W. 21st Ave.
Covington, LA 70433

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Sharon Ann Sofford
Jessie May Dykes
James R. Austin
Gary S. Grand
Dr. Charles C. Foti, Sr.

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  6608

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $500,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Peyton Lambert, Chair, 415 Bonnabel Boulevard, Metairie LA 70005
Paul Tanguis, Treasurer, 832 East Boston Street, #14, Covington LA 70433
Frenchie Kessler, Secretary, 2224 Roosevelt Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062
Randy Davidson, 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen, 1831 Royal Aberdeen Ave, Zachary, LA 70791
Peter Seidenberg, 1501, Kings Hwy., Shreveport LA 71103
John Guzzardo, President & CEO, 1010 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Special Olympics Louisiana will offer sports training & competition, health programming to include inclusive health &fitness programs and inclusive education programming to the current 12,500 people with intellectual disabilities(referred to as athletes) in Louisiana in order to improve their quality of life through improved health outcomes andto ensure an equitable place of learning for ALL through our programs while educating the public regarding theneeds and abilities of persons with intellectual disabilities.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $242,559
          Professional Services. . . $73,700
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $183,741
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The core mission of Special Olympics is to create a world of inclusion and respect for people with intellectual disabilities.

While rooted in providing sports training and competition, which help athletes develop skills, talents, and confidence, our reach extends far beyond the field. We now deliver critical programming in inclusive health and fitness to improve quality of life and inclusive education to foster equitable learning environments for all students.

By providing these life-changing services completely free of charge, Special Olympics advocates for the community, ultimately shifting public attitudes and ensuring people with intellectual disabilities participate as valued and productive members of society.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) is actively working to expand its free, life-changing programming to the more than 100,000 Louisianans with intellectual disabilities who are not yet participating, utilizing a robust statewide media campaign and strategic expansion across three core areas: Sports, Health, and Education. Our commitment is demonstrated through extensive annual operations, which include hosting a minimum of 100 events across 15 Olympic-type sports and conducting over 55 training schools to certify new Special Olympics Unified Coaches, while also providing leadership development. Crucially, SOLA prioritizes comprehensive health through its Healthy Athlete programs, providing a minimum of 1,800 free health exams annually in critical fields like vision, dental, and podiatry, alongside at least 75 wellness activities and early intervention for children ages 2-7 through the Young Athletes Program, which is now expanding via a partnership with Head Start. Furthermore, SOLA is transforming educational environments with the Unified Champion Schools inclusive education program, which has already been committed to by 451 schools (including 15 college campuses) across 53 school districts, successfully engaging 185,628 athletes and partners annually from Pre-K through the college level in collaboration with the Department of Education.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           1 Year

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 None
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 None

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 None

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  None

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               None

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               None

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                None

          What is the nature of the relationship?  None

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 Special Olympics Louisiana has signed a contract to provide services to the State of Louisiana since 1971, for citizens with intellectual disabilities through LA Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, but also as a line-item in the supplemental budget since 2023.

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) is the only program in the state that provides this extensive suite of services entirely free of charge to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. While sports training and competition are at the core of our mission—teaching self-confidence and giving athletes a renewed sense of purpose—our impact extends far beyond the playing field. SOLA adopts a holistic approach focused on the whole athlete, which delivers measurable, real-world results: Special Olympics athletes are 50% more likely to have jobs compared to their counterparts who are not in the program. We achieve this by integrating sports with vital programs in health and fitness, fostering inclusive leadership skills, and implementing extensive inclusive educational and fitness programming within school systems across Louisiana.


Contact Information
name:  John Guzzardo 
                                       address:  1010 W. 21st Ave.
Covington, LA 70433
                                       phone:  800-345-6644
                                       fax:  888-836-2187
                                       e-mail:  john.guzzardo@specialolympicsla.org
                                       relationship to entity:  President/CEO