Special Olympics
Powering inclusion through digital fundraising.
Special Olympics International (SOI) uses the power of sport to create a world where people are not limited by disability. Through global events and local programs, SOI empowers people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to lead healthier, fuller lives, on and off the field. Since 2018, we've partnered with Special Olympics to create the infrastructure, test, optimize, and build a high-performing fundraising program driven by creativity, strategy, and analytics. Together, we've raised millions of dollars, reached new audiences, and spread the spirit of inclusion to communities worldwide.
SOI's message of inclusion is for everyone, so potential donors are everywhere. How to reach them effectively and efficiently, across channels, while constantly pushing creative boundaries, has been a shared goal throughout our years-long partnership.
That's why our approach is multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and hands-on. Working closely with the SOI team, our creative strategists, designers, copywriters and email and paid media experts perform regular KPI audits, lead collaborative brainstorms, and analyze campaign performance to make digital work at least as hard as the Special Olympics athletes themselves.
What we did
- Advertising
- Brand strategy
- Campaign planning
- Copywriting
- Creative strategy
- Email marketing
- Fundraising strategy
- Paid media
- Performance tracking
100%
increase in average return
on ad spend
1%
increase in annual revenue since 2019
1%
increase in average annual donation volume since 2019
The focus
SOI had a mission that resonates across communities, a growing donor base, and athletes whose stories stop people in their tracks. What they needed was a coordinated digital program that could carry all of it across channels, reach new audiences, and raise real money, year after year.
Our strategy
We started with the athletes and built outward, connecting creative, media, and content into one sustained effort.
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Maximizing return on high-performing channels like paid search and Meta. To get more athletes into the game, we must meet donors when giving intent is highest. We concentrate investments where and when it matters most, all while testing and refining creative, audiences and bidding strategies to maximize return.
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Testing and optimizing the donation form. Our work doesn’t stop when a donor clicks on an ad. We’re constantly brainstorming big and small ways to improve the giving experience so more donors make their support official. We balance simple, yet strategic tests, like ask string and image tests, with bolder efforts, like redesigning the form’s UX so it’s optimized for monthly giving.
The results
Special Olympics has seen a 12% increase in annual revenue each year, beginning just one year after our partnership began. They have also seen a 227% average return on ad spend, and a 5% annual increase in donation volume. Most importantly, our work helped build a fundraising program strong enough to sustain and grow the Special Olympics mission, so that more athletes can access the programs, the competition, and the community that change their lives.
Interactive Strategies constantly hits our deadlines and consistently performs for us. We’re incredibly happy with our partnership!
Crystal Hudson VP of Digital Marketing & Fundraising at Special Olympics
Project HOPE
