A Match Made in Montana: How One Gift Is Helping a Local Special Olympics Team Get Back on Track

When the Missoula Diamondbacks realized they wouldn’t be able to attend the 2024 State Summer Games due in part to financial challenges, it was a tough moment for the athletes, coaches, and families who train and compete year-round in anticipation of the three-day event. State Summer Games is a chance to see their friends from around the state, to show off the hard work and dedication they have put in all year, and to celebrate being a part of an inclusive community. But thanks to a generous match donation from longtime Special Olympics Montana supporters Jim and Julie Foley of Missoula, the Diamondbacks found themselves back on the path to competition and more importantly, sustainability.

In early 2025, the team faced a $20,000 gap in its budget; the amount needed to get back on track in its yearly budget and cover travel, hotel rooms, meals, and other expenses for up to 80 athletes attending the State Games. The pandemic had taken a toll on the Diamondbacks’ momentum and the broader community support they relied on, but their spirit remained strong. Jim and Julie, whose deep ties to Special Olympics Montana stretch back more than a decade, stepped in with a powerful challenge: If the Diamondbacks could raise $10,000 on their own, the couple would match it.

They did.

Through Polar Plunges, raffle ticket sales, and creative community fundraisers, the Diamondbacks worked hard to meet the match. The result was not just earning the funds, but a renewed sense of pride and ownership.

“We are fortunate to be able to give such a gift, but we are doing so because we strongly believe Special Olympics matters more than ever,” said Julie. “The athletes show good sportsmanship, uplift each other, and model the kind of character we need more of in the world.”

Both Julie and Jim have siblings with special needs and have been involved in Special Olympics since their youth. They each played major roles in the 2015 and 2017 State Summer Games held in Missoula. Jim as the co-director of a 45-person management team, and Julie as a hands-on volunteer in multiple areas. That experience, and the lasting friendships they formed with athletes and families, shaped their commitment to supporting Special Olympics for the long haul.

Creating Healthy Teams: Why Matching Matters

Karen Davis, a local program coordinator in Helena, shared with us what it takes to build and sustain a strong local program.

“To be financially healthy, teams have to be consistent and creative,” she explained. “Our biggest fundraising opportunity each year is the truck raffle, and we ask each of our athletes to sell four books of tickets, and we go out into the community every month to sell more. It’s a team effort.”

Karen recently handed out team jackets to new athletes and Unified Partners. The gift was not a freebie, but a reward for their fundraising efforts. “They were so proud,” she said. “They earned those jackets. And that’s why I love the idea of a donor match. It’s not a handout; it means we’re still working, contributing. It means more.”

This model of giving—where donors help elevate rather than replace grassroots efforts—has become a gold standard for Special Olympics Montana. Matching gifts not only double the financial impact but also give athletes and families “skin in the game.” It’s a partnership, not just a donation.

How You Can Help

As part of this renewed focus on team sustainability, Special Olympics Montana is launching a new initiative: Match a Local Team. This newsletter will allow you to see all the local programs across the state and explore opportunities to support them through matching donations and other avenues.

These gifts can help cover costs for uniforms, equipment, travel, and more. For businesses and individuals who can’t give financially, there are countless other ways to help, from hosting raffle ticket outlets to making in-kind donations to volunteering at practices, events, and fundraisers.

“If you’re on the fence,” Karen says, “just attend one event. Watch the athletes. See how they support one another, how much joy and determination they bring. It’s magical. And it’s contagious.”

Teams across Montana are more than just sports programs. They offer leadership training, fitness clubs, community dinners, and lifelong friendships. They are places where athletes find purpose, gain confidence, and show the rest of us what it means to lead with heart.

As Jim puts it, “In many ways, these athletes teach us more about life than we could ever teach them. It’s humbling, and it’s inspiring.”

Want to Match a Team or Learn More?

The map below shows a list of teams in your area. Your donation can be applied to a specific team or used in SOMT’s Team Grant Account, which allows teams with the greatest need to apply for funding when they need it most.