Nike has always been a company striving to help progress under served communities. Throughout the last few years, the company has developed three different programs to “advance equality in communities” and give resources to those that need it. In 2021, Nike announced that they–with two of its subsidiaries, Converse and Jordan Brand–would be making a four year $40 million commitment to The Black Community Commitment to “advance a more just and equitable society for Black Americans.” Nike also recently began funding The Inclusive Community investment program, which “supports North America nonprofits working to advance equality in communities”. They have made it clear that they put their money where their mouth is and stand by their core values of helping advance sports and taking action to help all athletes reach their full potential. However, one initiative Nike has taken to help make this happen is by sponsoring and supporting the Special Olympics throughout the country.

Through the Until We All Win community investment program–a campaign committed to diversity and inclusion in sports throughout North America–Nike has helped the Special Olympics reach new heights. Specifically, Special Olympics Oregon and Nike partner each year to hold the Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games, held at the Nike headquarters in Beaverton. It’s an event that has taken place since 2007, with more than 5,000 athletes competing in the annual one-day event. After the 2022 event, Nike presented Special Olympics with a $200,000 check to support Unified Sports, a program that “provides extracurricular sports opportunities for youth and adults in over 30 communities throughout Oregon.

Nike’s push for equality in sports for all genders, races, ages and abilities is shown through their support for the Special Olympics. The organization as a whole provides year-round training and events for more than 5 million children and adults with varying disabilities in 172 different countries. Nike has also supported and funded Special Olympics events in New York, Chicago, Memphis and Southern California.