Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (PLAN of MA & RI) makes a $100,000 commitment to Special Olympics Massachusetts to provide resources and promote inclusion.

Special Olympics Massachusetts and Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN of MA & RI) announce a first of its kind Exclusive Partnership. Special Olympics athletes and their families will get access to PLAN of MA & RI educational webinars and resources to help with future financial planning. In addition, PLAN f MA & RI will provide training to Special Olympics staff members to better speak with families about the importance of sound personal financial management.

PLAN of MA & RI will support Special Olympics Massachusetts through a $100,000 sponsorship of sports and training events. They will also support inspiring digital storytelling, featuring Special Olympics athletes and their families.

The organizations highlighted their shared mission of advocacy and support through resources that help individuals with intellectual disabilities live better and more complete lives. Both PLAN of MA & RI and Special Olympics have been serving a shared community for generations - PLAN of MA & RI is celebrating their 50^th anniversary in 2021 and Special Olympics was founded in 1968.

The partnership will support Special Olympics athletes in all counties of Massachusetts. In 2021, the funding will support a renewed focus on community-based programming, allowing the athletes, their families, and their neighbors experience inclusion through the power of sports.

''We are always looking for new partners that will not only support the mission of Special Olympics and will also be seen as a true resource to our community,'� remarked Special Olympics President & CEO, Mary Beth McMahon, who continued, ''We have found a perfect fit with PLAN of MA & RI, our brand new Exclusive Special Needs Trust partner. I am sure our athletes and their families will view this new partnership and the financial and other information as a true asset.'�

''PLAN of MA & RI has enjoyed a positive relationship with Special Olympics of Massachusetts through its Polar Plunge event in recent years. As we became more familiar with their mission in action, we are confident this is a very worthwhile investment in the future programming provided by Special Olympics Massachusetts,'� said Joan McGrath Coulter, Executive Director of PLAN of MA & RI. ''We look forward to a successful partnership in which our respective missions will grow and thrive for the benefit of the people we serve.'�

About Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (PLAN of MA & RI):

PLAN of MA & RI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with origins dating back to the 1960s, when a group of parents of children with various physical, mental and behavioral challenges assembled to plan for the future. Incorporated in 1971, we are recognized today as experts in operating Special Needs Pooled Trusts and have 750 beneficiaries and $60M in assets under management.

PLAN of MA & RI proudly serves people with disabilities - lifelong or related to illness, injury, or age - helping to preserve assets, to protect access to public benefits, and to live well. PLAN of MA & RI is a professional trustee providing quality trustee/fiduciary services to individuals and their families through sound and thoughtful trust administration and compassionate, caring social service support. Licensed social workers assess the beneficiary's living situation, needs and current benefits and make recommendations and referrals to services that improve the person's quality of life.

About Special Olympics Massachusetts:

Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programming for over 14,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state in over 450 sporting competitions each year. Through the power of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.  http://www.specialolympicsma.org.