Knowautism Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE AUTISM AWARENESS AND TO HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS AFFECTED BY AUTISM BY PROVIDING EDUCATION AND RESOURCES.
- Income
- $514,418
- Spending
- $247,107
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 49.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 20
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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 49.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 52% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $109,750 spent. TUITION & THERAPY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING FROM $1,000 TO $10,000 TO HELP EASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THERAPEUTIC TREATMENTS AND INTERVENTION FOR AUTISM. TO BE ELIGIBLE, THE CHILD MUST BE BETWEEN 12 MONTHS AND 18 YEARS OF AGE AND MUST HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. THESE AWARDS MAY BE USED FOR BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY, SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS, SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
- $50,078 spent. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM - THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH PROGRAMMING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY TO FURTHER OUR MISSION.THE SPECIAL INTEREST FUND WAS ESTABLISHED TO HELP CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ACCESS ADAPTIVE AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT DO NOT FALL UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF TRADITIONAL AUTISM TREATMENTS OR INTERVENTIONS. AWARDS RANGE FROM $500 TO $2,000 PER CHILD. ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS INCLUDE SPECIALIZED CAMPS, MUSIC THERAPY, ART THERAPY, YOGA THERAPY, THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING, ADAPTIVE SWIM LESSONS, AND SIMILAR PROGRAMMING. THIS FUND MAY ALSO BE USED TO COVER FEES FOR THE SERVICES OF AUTISM/DISABILITY ADVOCATES (UP TO $1,000).ART PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROVIDING CHILDREN AN OUTLET TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. WE PROVIDE ART KITS TO OUR GRANT RECIPIENTS, STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, TO CHILDREN INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN OUR ART FESTIVAL. THE SUBMISSIONS ARE FEATURED IN OUR ANNUAL AS I AM ART FESTIVAL. AUTISM DIAGNOSTIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES TO HELP SUBSIDIZE THE COST OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 MONTHS AND 14 YEARS OF AGE.
- $12,806 spent. THE EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS AFFECTED BY AUTISM TO HELP THEM WITH FOOD AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES WHEN THEY ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS.
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
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 December 2024.
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 June 2014.
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.