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Autism Science Foundation

EIN 26-4522309 · Scarsdale, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OTO SUPPORT AUTISM RESEARCH BY PROVIDING FUNDING AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO SCIENTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS CONDUCTING, FACILITATING, PUBLICIZING AND DISSEMINATING AUTISM RESEARCH. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT AUTISM TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND SERVES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY AUTISM.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
14.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$222,533, chief science officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 109% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $1.1 million spent. IN 2024, THE AUTISM SCIENCE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS MISSION TO FUND HIGH IMPACT AUTISM RESEARCH BY FUNDING 16 NEW GRANTS TO STUDY THE CAUSES OF AUTISM AND DEVELOP AUTISM TREATMENTS. THIS INCLUDED DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF PROFOUND AUTISM PILOT GRANTS. WE ALSO RECRUITED THE FIRST 25 FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR NEXT GEN SIBS PROJECT, WHICH STUDIES AUTISM RECURRENCE RISK IN THE CHILDREN OF UNAFFECTED SIBLINGS. OUR STAKEHOLDER EDUCATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDED OUR 11TH ANNUAL DAY OF LEARNING, WHICH BROUGHT FAMILIES AND SCIENTISTS TOGETHER TO DISCUSS AUTISM CLINICAL TRIAL READINESS. WE ALSO DEVELOPED AND HOSTED A NEW SPECIAL INTEREST WEBCAST SERIES FOCUSED ON MANAGING SEVERE, INTENSE AND CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS IN PEOPLE WITH AUTISM. WE CONTINUED HOSTING OUR WEEKLY PODCAST WHICH TRANSLATES AUTISM SCIENCE INTO CLEAR, ACTIONABLE INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES. WE LAUNCHED A NEW, NATIONAL ONLINE SIBLINGS SUPPORT GROUP OFFERING PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING TO THIS UNDERSERVED GROUP. WE WORKED HARD TO ENSURE THAT THE AUTISM CARES ACT (WHICH PROVIDES FUNDS TO NIH FOR AUTISM RESEARCH) WAS REAUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS AND THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE LAW SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED PROFOUND AUTISM RESEARCH. WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR A NEW "PROFOUND AUTISM" TRACK AT THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR AUTISM RESEARCH AND WE EXPANDED THE ALLIANCE FOR GENETIC ETIOLOGIES IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS AND AUTISM (AGENDA), WHICH WE RUN, TO NOW INCLUDE 448 PATIENT ADVOCACY GROUPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 June 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 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.