The following is an excerpt from 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Named Winner of 2021 Amazon Web Services Image Grant for Nonprofits, published by Yahoo!.
Today, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2021 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Imagine Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. The grant will support the 2022 USA Games efforts to develop an interactive fan engagement mobile app that will serve to unite athletes, coaches, families, and honored guests throughout the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games—all powered by a cutting-edge serverless container infrastructure leveraging AWS Fargate and other critical services.
Now in its fourth year, the AWS Imagine Grant program provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities.
This dynamic, React-based app will allow stakeholders to (1) create custom games schedules, (2) live stream the Opening and Closing ceremonies, competitions, and awards presentations, (3) view transportation schedules and guided options to and from any venue, (4) engage with in-venue augmented reality experiences (such as wayfinding), (5) enable virtual ticketing, (6) receive push notifications for general games info, weather alerts, competition delays, etc., and (7) interact with sponsor opportunities via experiential marketing. Reflecting athlete input gathered during a deep research phase, the app will also feature a signature experience that allows users to send virtual “cheers” to celebrate the accomplishments of athletes throughout the Games, further elevating the message of inclusion, goodwill, and positivity that have made this organization a beacon of hope for so many.
