For companies looking for corporate philanthropy and team building opportunities, Special Olympics Northern California offers some fun, unique ways to make an impact and give back.
Just picture these scenes:
You and your work colleagues, dressed in costumes, splashing into the ocean to sounds of cheers and applause as you support the Special Olympics NorCal Polar Plunge.
Or pedaling bikes with a group of coworkers along Bay Area backroads, representing your company in Bike the Bridges | Bands and Brews.
Teeing off with Silicon Valley heavyweights in the High Tech Challenge golf tournament at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Playing bocce in Los Gatos with Northern California sports stars.
Swelling with pride as Special Olympics athletes parade into Summer Games, knowing your organization stepped up as a sponsor. Showing up as a group to volunteer at area competitions from Sacramento to Fresno, Pleasanton to Napa.
All of these memorable moments and entertaining activities can help companies across NorCal strengthen their work cultures and build connections with the local communities where their employees live and work. Corporate philanthropy and team building activities create triple-win outcomes for employees, Special Olympics athletes, and their families.
Here are some core reasons for your company to support corporate philanthropy and team building with Special Olympics Northern California, and fun ways to get involved.
Why Corporate Philanthropy Matters
Corporate philanthropy connects people to purpose, strengthening culture and trust.
Philanthropic Programs Strengthen Company Culture
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s a classic business saying that still resonates today. A strong, positive company culture can enable teams to overcome challenges and work collaboratively to reach objectives and stack wins.
When you’re aligned with your colleagues and share common values, you’re more likely to go the extra mile to ensure your mutual success.
Employees consistently rank company culture as a key to productivity and happiness at work. And a full 71% of employees who felt their companies had a strong philanthropic culture also reported high job satisfaction.
Corporate philanthropy not only helps build a better company culture, it’s a key to improving employee retention and boosting employee engagement.
A quick glance at a list of best Bay Area workplaces shows the connections between corporate philanthropy, company culture and employee satisfaction.
Build brand trust and community reputation
You’re judged by the company you keep. Brand reputation is critical for organizations in the era of social media, when a company action can quickly be amplified and its reputation strengthened by a positive social post.
When employees share stories of their team building activities or your company’s support for Special Olympics NorCal, it can lead to a rush of follow-up comments and good will.
Special Olympics has major brand name reach, too. Special Olympics was ranked as the #5 most trusted nonprofit brand in the U.S. in 2025, and 33% of all U.S. households know someone with an intellectual disability.
That’s a lot of people who would recognize your company’s contributions to Special Olympics Northern California, and see your company in an even brighter light.
For companies wanting to boost their philanthropic reputation, affiliating with Special Olympics NorCal offers local and regional visibility, positive storytelling opportunities, and a mission that aligns with corporate social responsibility (CSR) values.
Boost Employee Morale and Sense of Belonging
Corporate philanthropy isn’t just about doing good. It’s about building a workplace where your employees feel interconnected and involved.
It’s even more relevant in the post-pandemic workplace, where employees are seeking more intentional interactions with their coworkers and colleagues, and spending time with colleagues is considered more critical than ever.
Supporting Special Olympics NorCal can have a major impact on your employees who have family members with intellectual disabilities, or those who care deeply about building unity in their communities.
Through team corporate philanthropy or team building activities, your company can provide employees opportunities for memorable experiences that will remain top of mind far after they take that Polar Plunge, ride in Bike the Bridges, volunteer at Summer Games or so much more.
Make a Legitimate Impact
For proof of the power of corporate philanthropy on the Special Olympics NorCal community, take a quick look at our 2025 Impact Report.
Some 2025 results, by the numbers:
- 39,000 athletes and program participants
- 9,400 coaches
- 23,000 volunteers
- 4,700 Health & Wellness activities
- 600 schools in our Unified Champion Schools program
- 380+ sports competitions
- 100+ Athlete Leaders
- 41 NorCal Counties
Corporate philanthropy played a major role in helping us provide these life-changing programs to children and adults across Northern California – all for FREE.
Special Olympics NorCal can provide impact metrics, program updates and stories your company can share in internal CSR reports or dashboards. We want you to see – and be able to share – the impact that you are making.
How Companies Can Get Involved with Special Olympics Northern California
Whether your company has 20 employees or 20,000, there are clear, actionable ways to partner with Special Olympics Northern California.
Participate in a Signature Event
Special Olympics NorCal hosts a range of high-energy, high-visibility events throughout the region every year, ideal for employee engagement, brand awareness and community building.
- Polar Plunge: A global Special Olympics fundraising tradition, Polar Plunges are great for engaging your employees in a festive way. Corporate teams form groups, raise funds, and jump into chilly NorCal waters for a great cause. We host Polar Plunges throughout the region, from Fort Bragg to Fresno, Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay Area. They’re an easy way to launch a corporate philanthropic event with your company.
- Bocce Bash: Play alongside teams of Bay Area pro athletes and other local dignitaries at the Bocce Bash, a fun event centered around one of our athlete community’s favorite sports.
- Summer Games: Our annual gathering of more than 1,000 athletes from across Northern California, who come together to compete in swimming, track & field, bocce and tennis in an Olympics-style setting at Santa Clara University.
- High Tech Challenge: Held at the exclusive Olympic Club in San Francisco, our golf tournament welcomes Silicon Valley tech companies and many others who want the unique opportunity to golf at a legendary course that’s hosted multiple U.S. Opens.
- Bike the Bridges | Bands & Brews: Popular and team-friendly, Bike the Bridges is our annual fall biking fundraiser with rides for all levels of cyclists. Choose from four routes ranging from a casual 25K pedal to a vigorous 100K ride with lots of elevation. Cruise over bridges and along backroads, with everyone ending up at the Bands & Brews afterparty.
- Fall Games: Hundreds of soccer teams from across NorCal compete at UC Davis for gold medals in exciting match play, while individuals test their skills in competitions, try new sports like pickleball and much more.
- Guardian Games: Held alongside Fall Game, Guardian Games features teams competing with other companies and groups in this carnival-style series of games and activities including tug-of-war, football tossing, cornhole and more.
Create a Corporate Volunteer Day
For companies looking to offer a team building experience, a corporate volunteer day can go a long way for building memories and morale. Sign up as a group to volunteer at one of our annual events or help with a regional tournament.
We have a range of volunteer opportunities for your organization, from serving as timers or scorers and sports competition to helping with event registration or setup and take down. Check out our Volunteer information page for inspiration and ideas.
Offer Workplace Giving Options
Does your company offer matching gifts? If so, you can double your donation efforts, and your impact. Once an employee makes a donation, they can request a matching gift from the company. Some companies offer volunteer days off, too.
Another option is workplace giving, an easy, efficient way employees can make tax-deductible donations to the charities they care about, like Special Olympics NorCal, through payroll contributions at work. Check with your employer human resources department about these ways to give.
Become an Event Sponsor or Annual Partner
Make an even bigger impact for your company by signing on as an event sponsor or annual partner.
By supporting Special Olympics Northern California, you’ll directly impact the lives of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, while also spreading a messaging of awareness and unity though our communities.
All while gaining many benefits for your company’s brand and employees.
If your organization is ready to strengthen its philanthropic presence, support local athletes, and engage employees with powerful, hands-on experiences, we’d love to help you find the right path.
There’s a place for you and your company here – and an immediate way to make a difference.
Let’s do something special together.
About Special Olympics Northern California:
Special Olympics Northern California empowers children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports. Through the power of sport, we promote inclusion, acceptance, and the development of life skills, building stronger communities for one athlete at a time.
