26 Weeks of Giving: Celebrating the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
To celebrate the upcoming 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, Affinity Plus proudly partners with Special Olympics Minnesota to honor inclusive organizations across Minnesota.
As a proud sponsor of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games coming to Minnesota in June, Affinity Plus also gets the honor of being the presenting sponsor of 26 Weeks of Giving.
26 Weeks of Giving is a partnership between Affinity Plus, Special Olympics Minnesota, the Kathleen F. and David W. MacLennan Foundation and the USA Games that recognizes and awards Minnesota-based organizations, initiatives and companies dedicated to expanding inclusion and accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities.
The initiative has awarded more than $250,000 in financial grants to 30 organizations fueling the inclusion movement across the state.
We, along with Special Olympics Minnesota and USA Games, want to recognize and celebrate these organizations doing great work in our communities!
Celebrations will occur each month, all over Minnesota, as we approach the USA Games in June.
Benefiting organizations include:
- A Great Day Farm (Northfield, MN) Expand inclusive recreation through an adaptive playground, specialized programming, and facility accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
- Accord (Saint Paul, MN) Offer adaptive arts classes, tools, and community showcases for people with disabilities.
- Advocacy and Inclusion Matter of West Central MN (AIM) (Willmar, MN) Expand inclusive events and programs, including field days and adaptive recreation for people with disabilities.
- Best Buddies in Minnesota (Edina, MN) Grow the Citizens program which matches adults with disabilities in one-to-one friendships, reducing isolation statewide.
- Beyond Limits College (Plymouth, MN) Hire job and student mentors to expand work and elective class opportunities for students with disabilities.
- Brainerd Lakes Fishing Has No Boundaries (Nisswa, MN) Market and fund an annual accessible fishing event for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
- Camp Confidence Lions Club, East Gull Lake (East Gull Lake, MN) Support transportation for club members and annual retreat, enabling service projects and networking for people with disabilities.
- Cardinal Kitchen (Alexandria, MN) Launch an employment and vocational training hub for people with disabilities, fostering community integration and independence.
- CHOICE, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) Fund ceramics workshops and public art exhibition for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Constellation Coffee (Apple Valley, MN) Expand a resource library and sound-dampening infrastructure for neurodiverse employees; ongoing manager training.
- Full Circle Martial Arts (Blaine, MN) Purchase floor mats for safe, inclusive martial arts training for neurodiverse students.
- GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center (St. Louis Park, MN) Expand free programs, volunteer training, and outreach to foster inclusion for people with Down syndrome.
- Ham HOPE Foundation – DBA GRIT Adaptive (Ham Lake, MN) Open a smoothie/snack shop for vocational training; expand adapted athletics and camp offerings for youth/adults.
- J-HAP (Golden Valley, MN) Expand inclusive fitness programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at affordable housing site.
- LIFE Mower County (Austin, MN) Support accessible community events and volunteer training to foster inclusion for people with disabilities.
- Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (Minneapolis, MN) Purchase sensory supplies for inclusive recess and accessible play at Ella Baker Elementary School.
- MAWSECO Adapted Athletics (Howard Lake, MN) Fund transportation, uniforms, and equipment for Unified and adapted sports across seven school districts.
- •Meghan’s Place, Inc. (Hutchinson, MN) Support Health and Wellness Day and inclusive community events for young adults with disabilities.
- My BodyShop Fitness (Delano, MN) Enhance programming, offer free memberships, and training for Special Olympics athletes.
- My Path LLC (Loretto, MN) Launch client-run store for employment and workplace skills; offer scholarships for inclusive workshops.
- Open Cities Health Center (OCHC) (St. Paul, MN) Purchase specialized eye care equipment to expand access for patients with disabilities.
- Reach for Resources, Inc. (Minnetonka, MN) Expand adaptive recreation, inclusion services, and transportation for people with disabilities statewide.
- St. Catherine University Student Accessibility and Accommodations Department (St. Paul, MN) Create sensory rooms and community space for student connection and programming.
- The Therapy SP/OT (St. Paul, MN) Purchase therapy equipment to improve speech and occupational skills for children with disabilities.
- True Gems (Maple Grove, MN) Buy costumes and shoes for dancers with disabilities; expand adaptive dance opportunities.
- University of Minnesota School of Dentistry – Mobile Dental Clinic (Minneapolis, MN) Provide prescription toothpaste and screenings at community events for underserved patients.
- Unlabeled Theatre Company (Minneapolis, MN) Expand inclusive theatre opportunities for adults with disabilities; outreach to disability organizations.
- Vanguard Mental Health and Wellness Clinic, LLC (Woodbury, MN) Launch Inclusive Mental Health Access Hub: workshops, resources, and storytelling to destigmatize disabilities.
- Wabasha County DAC (Wabasha, MN) Subsidize costs for community activities, enabling full participation for people with disabilities.
- YMCA at ACRC (Austin, MN) Invest in staff training and adaptive equipment for inclusive sports and recreation programs.
