The Autism Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Autism Project (TAP) is a comprehensive coordinated system of services and resources for meeting the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and providing related services to their families and those who work with them in the Rhode Island area.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- -0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 86%
- Employees
- 92
- Volunteers
- 77
- Highest pay
- $2.0 million, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 105% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 37 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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)
- $1.1 million spent. TAP employs Family Support Specialists (FSS) who work to help family members navigate the system of care in Rhode Island. Activities include one-to-one mentorship meetings which provide program information and resources, assistance with insurance issues, coaching on educational concerns and advocacy, and the provision of a safe place to seek help and discuss concerns. A unique program is TAP's Grandparent Support Group, which meets monthly and averages 8 attendees. TAP provides training for parents, professionals, and caregivers in both English and Spanish and makes support calls on such topics as Toilet Training, Why ask Why? (Positive Behavior Supports), Visual Support and Understanding ASD, and the Parent Training Series (5-week parent coaching model).TAP's Family Support Specialists (FSS) also work with agencies, organizations, and families through on-site trainings to teach participants to recognize developmental milestones, to support concerns families may have, and to provide the tools necessary to empower families to make informed decisions and access care. TAP's FSS staff trained approximately 300 parents during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025. FSS staff also spent over 1,000 hours consulting in school districts and early childhood education facilities.
- $400,223 spent. TAP provides multiple training services related to ASD, social/emotional learning, and social skills programming to various professionals in Rhode Island. Through cutting-edge training and workshops, consultations provided in public and private classrooms, and regional/national speaking engagements, TAP educates professionals, educators, related support staff, itinerants, early intervention and day care providers, Head Start staff, community members, and anyone working to support people with ASD at school, at home, and within the community. TAP introduces information and strategies for educating students with ASD, social/emotional challenges, and related communication disorders. TAP's Training Department educated city personnel, schools, businesses, support agencies, community organizations, and Public Safety personnel through webinars, virtual and on-site trainings and videos to teach participants to recognize evidence-based and autism-informed strategies to best engage with members of the autistic community . TAP's team trained 3,321 participants during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.
- $239,876 spent. TAP connects people with a spectrum of needs to the tools, resources, and education available to help them lead independent and fulfilling lives. TAP provides direct services within social skill group programs and a two-week summer camp, "Camp WANNAGOAGAIN!", for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). TAP also serves 250 individuals with an ASD through a 26-week program for groups during the school year and an additional 5-week session, as well as TAP's aforementioned summer camp. TAP offers events throughout the year for families in collaboration with the Rhode Island Center for Autism Research and Treatment (RICART).
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.