PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Special Olympics of Oregon has canceled statewide athletic events and laid off about half its staff as it struggles through a financial crisis.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the organization’s financial report for last year has not been finalized but it ended 2014, 2015 and 2016 with deficits.
The most recent annual report from 2016 shows its expenses exceeded revenue by $325,280.
CEO Britt Carlson Oase, who was hired in June, says the organization’s financial condition has worsened since the last report.
The organization has implemented a spending freeze and “suspended the summer, fall and winter games.”
Oase says she has reached out to “some of the pillars of the community” for support.
The organization operates athletic competitions for 14,000 athletes statewide and oversees 30 local volunteer organizations that offer sports training.
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)