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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: April 2025 Expires: April 2027

Autism Society of America

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
19
(800) 328-8476
6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305
Rockville, MD, 20852
https://www.autismsociety.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Autism Society of America does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

ASA does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in promotions for the sale of consumer goods which indicated that the organization would benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:

  • The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase that would benefit the organization.

Autism Society of America meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
'to help all affected by autism maximize their quality of life, independence and self-sufficiency through measurable outcomes. '

Year, State Incorporated:
1965, DC

Autism Society of America (ASA) reports that it operates as a support service to empower affiliates to be as effective and impactful as possible within their service areas. The organization seeks to help improve affiliate communications and transparency, deliver toolkits and templates, provide a platform for resource sharing, and provide onboarding support. ASA's national programs offer support to individuals and families affected by autism with information and referral services provided through its National Helpline and Autism Source, a national database which aligns people with support and services in their local communities. The organization also provides education and training about autism and promotes acceptance of individuals affected by autism in their communities. Key efforts in this area are the annual National Conference, outreach materials, programs and toolkits for affiliates as well as development of corporate connections to broaden its efforts at education and acceptance. ASA's advocacy efforts inform public policy at the federal, state, and local levels in collaboration with the greater disability and health communities. The organization reports that it advocates for multi-disciplined approaches to autism research and for the inclusion, participation, and self-determination in all aspects of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. ASA's newly formed Justice Center seeks to advance the civil rights of all Autistic individuals and support positive interaction with the justice system.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Autism Society of America's program expenses were:

National programs: $3,948,363

Education and acceptance: $1,002,900

Affiliate services: $666,233

Advocacy: $634,735

Total Program Expenses: $6,252,231

Chief Executive
Christopher Banks, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$409,749

Chair of the Board
Tracey Staley

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Vice President of HR and Communications, Chromalox, Inc.

Board Size
23

Paid Staff Size
34

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

ASA incurred joint costs of $137,549 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $68,775 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $68,774 was allocated to program expenses.

Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,677,333, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Autism Society of America's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $5,346,545
In-kind contributions $1,116,105
Bequests $214,683
Investment gain, net $207,715
Fee for service and other income $12,864
Annual and regional conferences $2,962
Total Income $6,900,874

Programs: 84% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 6%

Total Income $6,900,874
Total expenses: $7,414,549
  Program expenses $6,252,231
  Fundraising expenses $709,505
  Administrative expenses $452,813
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-513,675
Beginning Net Assets $1,535,253
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,148,579
Total Liabilities $4,034,412
Total Assets $5,182,991

Note 1: For the year ended December 31, 2023, ASA reported in-kind contributoions in the form of technology ($810,000), radio advertising ($198,000), golf tournament supplies ($80,963), legal services ($15,498), and stock donation ($11,644).

Note 2: In the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" represents change in value of split interest agreements.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance