About
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment (USOPE) is a permanent investment fund dedicated to empowering America’s athletes—today and for generations to come. As a 501(c)(3) supporting organization of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) USOPE exists solely to support the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic movement.
Empowering Athletes, Sustaining Sports
The idea of a lasting endowment for American sport took root nearly six decades ago, when William E. Simon and F. Don Miller began pursuing a bold vision: that U.S. athletes would one day benefit from a permanent, independent source of funding.
Their efforts led to a pivotal moment in 1984. By securing the surplus of the Los Angeles Olympic Games and designing the structure of a separate charitable vehicle, the foundation was laid for the Endowment. On July 2, 1984, the legal entity was incorporated.
Since establishing its grant-program in 1986, USOPE has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to the USOPC and its member organizations—ensuring that the dreams of American athletes are backed by long-term financial commitment.
Strategy Behind Sustainable Support
Our investment philosophy reflects the same principles that define our athletes — discipline, endurance, and focus on long-term success. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment maintains a well-diversified portfolio designed to manage risk while maximizing sustainable growth.
We take a long-term approach, seeking returns that outpace inflation and reinvesting gains beyond our approved annual distributions. This strategy ensures that the Endowment remains strong and adaptable — ready to support Team USA through every challenge and opportunity ahead.
With careful attention to liquidity and risk management, we safeguard the flexibility to provide meaningful support whenever it’s needed most.
Financial Stewardship, Dedicated to Transparency
Supporting American sport requires more than passion—it demands accountability and trust. As a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) supporting organization, we share our audited financial statements and IRS Form 990s publicly, providing athletes, sport organizations, and donors with full confidence in the integrity and performance of the Endowment.
Annual distributions are thoughtfully determined as a percentage of the Endowment’s average net assets, ensuring consistent, reliable support for the USOPC and its member sport organizations while preserving the long-term strength of the Endowment.
In addition, we serve as an investment partner for member sport organizations that pool their assets with us. By offering fee-free management, administrative transparency, and flexible access to funds, we help ensure that resources are available when and where they are needed most.
Celebrating Champions of Sport
The Endowment is not only about preserving resources—it’s about celebrating people. Each year we honour outstanding contributors to U.S. sport via our awards program:
-
The George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award – for sustained contributions and leadership in Olympic & Paralympic sport.
-
The William E. Simon Award – for living the ideals of the Olympic Creed and advancing sport’s ideals over a sustained period.
-
The General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award – for legacy-driven service that advances the USOPC, Olympians and Paralympians.
- The William J Hybl Award honors individuals whose exemplary and prolonged service has made a significant positive impact on the United States Paralympic movement.
Past recipients include iconic athletes, influential sport leaders and visionary advocates—demonstrating how the spirit of Olympic and Paralympic sport thrives beyond the podium.
Keep the Flame Burning
Every great victory begins with a moment of belief — belief in potential, in perseverance, and in the enduring power of the human spirit. When you give to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment, you become part of that legacy.
Your support strengthens the foundation that sustains Team USA far beyond any single competition. It fuels the dreams of the next generation, builds equity in access to sport, and preserves the excellence that defines our nation on the global stage.
Tomorrow’s Victories Begin Today
What began as a visionary plan to preserve the financial success of the 1984 Los Angeles Games has become a cornerstone of long-term support for Team USA — ensuring that our nation’s finest competitors have the resources they need to reach their full potential.
Every decision, every investment, and every partnership we build is guided by a single purpose: to sustain excellence and expand opportunity for generations of athletes to come.
As we look ahead, our promise remains clear — to protect and grow the legacy entrusted to us so the flame of American athletic achievement never fades. Through responsible investment and unwavering dedication, we ensure that tomorrow’s victories begin today.
