Bank of America Announces $1 Million Multi-Year Donation to Support Special Olympics

Bank of America, proud sponsor of Special Olympics for more than three decades, today announced a three-year $1 million contribution to support Special Olympics, a global organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

To kick off its new partnership, Bank of America will once again sponsor the Special Olympics Team USA delegation as they prepare for the World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. More than 315 Special Olympics Team USA athletes and more than 125 coaches will depart from Baltimore and travel to Athens for the Games (June 25-July 4) to compete among more than 7,000 athletes from around the world.

In addition to supporting Special Olympics athletes on their journey to Athens, the bank’s 2011 contribution, made through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, will also support the Healthy Athletes program at the World Games. This important non-sports program is designed to improve athletes’ health and fitness in order to enhance their ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. Special Olympics athletes from nearly 170 countries in all regions around the world will have the opportunity to receive free health examinations and health-related products, such as prescription eyewear and hearing aids, along with advice to help them adopt good living habits and improve their own health situation.

“Bank of America is proud to provide Special Olympics Team USA athletes with the opportunity to demonstrate their outstanding accomplishments while learning from competitors from across the globe,” said Anne Finucane, Global Strategy and Marketing officer and chair of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. “We are honored to partner with Special Olympics and support the athletes and coaches as they prepare for a memorable and healthy experience at the World Summer Games in Athens.”

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has partnered with the Special Olympics movement and its mission by sponsoring Special Olympics Team USA and providing a unique combination of financial and volunteer resources to create opportunities that help recognize the value and unique gifts of people with intellectual disabilities.

Through the bank’s partnership, the foundation has provided nearly $7 million in financial support to Special Olympics to help people with disabilities pursue their goals. In 2010 alone, employees volunteered more than 5,000 hours to support Special Olympics and their athletes in local communities across the United States.

“We are truly grateful to Bank of America for their support of our upcoming World Games,” said Timothy Shriver, chairman and chief executive officer of Special Olympics. “Their support will not only help our Special Olympics Team USA athletes to compete in Greece, but also provide world-class health care to this medically underserved population.”

Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard. Special Olympics provide people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy

Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America is delivering on a 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2010, making the bank one of the largest corporate cash donors in the United States. As a global company doing business in more than 150 countries, Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and sustain a culture of service, bank associate volunteers contributed more than one million hours in 2010 to enhance the quality of life in their communities worldwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.