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Association for Autism and Neurodiversity Inc

EIN 04-3376227 · Watertown, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AANE HELPS AUTISTIC AND SIMILARLY NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE BUILD MEANINGFUL, CONNECTED LIVES. AANE PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS WITH EDUCATION, COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT IN AN INCLUSIVE ATMOSPHERE OF VALIDATION AND RESPECT.

Income
$7.0 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 34%
Employees
165
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$167,711, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $3.2 million spent. GROUP SERVICESAANE'S SUPPORT GROUPS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, ALONG WITH DISCUSSION FORUMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT AND SHARE COMMON EXPERIENCES AND INTERESTS AND LEARN ABOUT VALUABLE RESOURCES. ALL DISCUSSION FORUMS ARE FREE. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY GROUP WITH A FEE.
  2. $2.2 million spent. INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICESAANE OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AUTISTIC TEENS AND ADULTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM THROUGH EDUCATION, INFORMATION, AND CONNECTION. THROUGH OUR INFORMATION & RESOURCE (I&R) SERVICES, AANE CONNECTS AUTISTIC ADULTS, FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS WITH NEEDED INFORMATION AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES. AANE OFFERS PARENT COACHING FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THEIR PARENTING JOURNEY, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL COACHING (LIFEMAP) FOR AUTISTIC TEENS AND ADULTS TO ACCESS SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES, ACQUIRE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR EMPLOYMENT, PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, AND MORE. AANE ALSO HAS A CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (LIFENET) FOR AUTISTIC ADULTS PROVIDING CARING SUPPORT ACROSS A FULL RANGE OF DAILY LIVING NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN.
  3. $28,179 spent. TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAANE HOSTS TWO ANNUAL SYMPOSIUMS FOR AUTISTIC ADULTS, FAMILY MEMBERS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND ADULTS, AND PROFESSIONALS. AANE'S ANNUAL SYMPOSIUMS SHOWCASE THE VOICES, STORIES AND PERSPECTIVES OF AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS, AND HIGHLIGHT CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH AND TREATMENT INNOVATIONS. AANE'S TRAINING AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FACILITATES IN-PERSON AND ONLINE TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE GLOBE SUCH AS EDUCATORS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND EMPLOYERS. AANE CUSTOMIZES EACH TRAINING TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION AND TRAINS ON TOPICS SUCH AS NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING CARE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE PRACTICES.AANE HOSTS FREE WORKSHOPS INCLUDING AUTISM BASICS, WHICH HELPS AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEEPEN THEIR SELF-UNDERSTANDING AND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CHILD OR FAMILY MEMBER. ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS COVER ESSENTIAL TOPICS SUCH AS STRATEGIES FOR EVERYDAY LIVING, NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT, AND SELF-ADVOCACY. MANY WORKSHOPS ARE INTERACTIVE, FEATURING EXPERT SPEAKERS, LIVED EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICAL ADVICE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.