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Autism Empowerment

EIN 45-2455219 · Vancouver, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Autism Empowerment is a nonprofit 501c3 organization devoted to enriching and empowering the lives of youth adults and families within autistic and neurodivergent communities. We promote a culture of Autism Acceptance and Empowerment and believe that each one of us has giftings and strengths to make the world a better place.

Income
$241,596
Spending
$294,392
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
0
Volunteers
130
Highest pay
$2,000, board member

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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $158,910 spent. Spectrum Life Magazine is a print and digital publication created by and for autistic neurodivergent and disability communities. Each issue delves into Advocacy Lifespan Recreation Education Health Wellness and Therapy over an average of 56 pages featuring 12-16 articles. Additional written audio and video content can be found on www.SpectrumLife. org and www.AutismEmpowerment. org. The quarterly print edition reaches 40,000 readers in the Northwest through 762 locations with national and international subscriptions available. All magazine editions are freely downloadable. Supplementary materials include blog posts extended interviews the Autism Empowerment Podcast educational videos a disability resource directory and other valuable resources for individuals of all abilities in neurodiverse and neurodivergent communities.
  2. $92,050 spent. Community Enrichment: This program includes community education enrichment and advocacy initiatives. It features the Autism Empowerment Neurodivergent Creators Collective specializing in storytelling filmmaking digital media and writing. The program aids autistic and neurodivergent individuals in developing skills for employment or entrepreneurship in various industries. Additionally it offers podcasts educational videos support groups advocacy efforts community events training sessions collaborations exhibitions consulting services coaching mentoring and community support through email and online groups. These services are accessible in Southwest Washington the Portland Oregon metro area and are expanding locally regionally and nationally online.
  3. $7,914 spent. Autism Services: This volunteer program focuses on offering service and emotional support to individuals and families in the autism neurodivergent and disabilities communities. The Autism Empowerment Cares volunteer projects offer participants meaningful chances to advocate for autism acceptance enrichment inspiration and empowerment. Additionally we operate a youth-led branch of Autism Services named Autism Serves: Helping Hands which offers leadership and volunteering chances to teenagers and young adults of all ability levels.

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 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 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 August 2011.

    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.