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Els for Autism Foundation

EIN 26-3520396 · Jupiter, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ELS FOR AUTISM GLOBAL MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM THROUGH LIFETIME SERVICES AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$14.5 million
Spending
$10.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
18.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
143
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$293,840, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $8.9 million spent. ELS FOR AUTISM FOUNDATION, INC. WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2009 BY LIEZL AND ERNIE ELS. THE ELS' SON, BEN, IS IMPACTED BY THE DISORDER WHICH AFFECTS 1 IN 31 CHILDREN IN THE U.S. THE WORLD-CLASS PRO GOLFER AND HIS WIFE HAVE DEVOTED THEIR EFFORTS TO A GAME-CHANGING, PHILANTHROPIC UNDERTAKING - THE ELS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE. THE CENTER IS A WORLD-CLASS, 26-ACRE CAMPUS THAT IS HOME TO TWO DISTINCT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: ELS FOR AUTISM FOUNDATION AND THE LEARNING ACADEMY, ATUITION-FREE, NONPROFIT, PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL SERVING STUDENTS AGES 3-21. THE FOUNDATION OFFERS INNOVATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN IN THREE PRIMARY IMPACT AREAS: ADULT SERVICES, RECREATION SERVICES AND EARLY INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION SERVICES. THE ELS FOR AUTISM FOUNDATION SERVES FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD, OFFERING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BOTH VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON AT THE ELS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN JUPITER, FLORIDA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.