Special Olympics Massachusetts has announced that it was awarded a $100,000 grant by the Yawkey Foundation to support the organization’s Inclusive Sports Programs across Massachusetts. This grant reflects the mutual commitment shared by Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) and the Yawkey Foundation to providing access to recreational and competitive athletics for individuals of all abilities, and perpetuates a valued partnership established more than 17 years ago.  

The $100,000 grant from the Yawkey Foundation will support Special Olympics’ competitive softball in Massachusetts, enabling athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism to train and compete on teams at the local, regional, and state-level. This programming includes the August state softball tournament in Greater Marlborough where it is expected that 461 athletes across 29 teams will have the opportunity to play for gold.  The funding will also support SOMA’s community-based sport skills centers in the cities of Boston, Lawrence, and Brockton, providing safe spaces for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism to learn new sports, stay active, and be seen for what they can do, when given an opportunity.

“Our relationship with the Yawkey Foundation spans decades and their continued commitment is inspiring to see. Special Olympics Massachusetts is honored to receive this grant and the fact that it has come from an organization whose mission aligns with our work to make athletics available and accessible to all, is icing on the cake,” said Mary Beth McMahon, SOMA president and CEO.

Noting that the Yawkey Foundation has provided more than $3.1 million to Special Olympics Massachusetts since 2008, McMahon added, “I am also personally excited to have the opportunity to continue our work with the team at the Yawkey Foundation, who have been so supportive of inclusive sports for as long as I have known them.”

“Jean and Tom Yawkey were passionate about supporting amateur athletics and team sports - especially baseball and softball - and the Yawkey Foundation is delighted to partner with Special Olympics Massachusetts to ensure individuals of all abilities have an opportunity to play and enjoy the game,” said Alicia Verity, CEO of Yawkey Foundation. “We share Special Olympics’ commitment to breaking down barriers to participation and increasing access to all the good that comes from athletics by fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, physical activity and inclusion.”

About Special Olympics Massachusetts:

Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training, athletic competition across 23 sports, and other related programming for over 19,000 participants with intellectual disabilities and autism alongside Unified partners – participants without disabilities – across the state in over 1,000 sporting competitions each year. Through the power of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.  http://www.specialolympicsma.org.

About the Yawkey Foundation

The Yawkey Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the philanthropic legacy of Tom Yawkey and Jean Yawkey, whose quiet generosity over eight decades supported individuals and families in the communities closest to their hearts – Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. With more than $600 million awarded to date in charitable grants, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working in health care, education, human services, youth and amateur athletics, arts and culture, and conservation and wildlife. For more information and the latest announcements, please visit the Foundation’s website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

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