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Virginia Institute of Autism Incorporated

EIN 54-1815297 · Charlottesvle, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF AUTISM IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF AUTISM THROUGH INNOVATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND ADULT SERVICES.

Income
$30.6 million
Spending
$23.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
443
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$209,497, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 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 (5)
  1. $16.0 million spent. VIA'S JAMES C. HORMEL SCHOOL OFFERS YEAR-ROUND, STATE-OF-THE-ART, EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATIONAL AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS FOR STUDENTS AGES 2 TO 22 YEARS OLD WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AND RELATED DISORDERS. THE SCHOOL'S FACULTY CONSISTS OF LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS, AND OTHER HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM TO CREATE A HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED, COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE EDUCATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT. THE SCHOOL IS LICENSED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ACCREDITED BY THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SPECIALIZED EDUCATION FACILITIES AND THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES (CARF). VIA'S JAMES C. HORMEL SCHOOL OFFERS YEAR-ROUND, STATE-OF-THE-ART, EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATIONAL AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS FOR STUDENTS AGES 2 TO 22 YEARS OLD WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AND RELATED DISORDERS. THE SCHOOL'S FACULTY CONSISTS OF LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS, AND OTHER HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM TO CREATE A HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED, COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE EDUCATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT. THE SCHOOL IS LICENSED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ACCREDITED BY THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SPECIALIZED EDUCATION FACILITIES AND THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES (CARF).
  2. $2.5 million spent. THE OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES CONTEMPORARY, EVIDENCE-BASED, BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUUM OF NEEDS EXHIBITED BY CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGES 18 MONTHS TO 21 YEARS OLD WITH ASD AND RELATED DISORDERS. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS. DEPENDING UPON CLIENT NEEDS, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY IS PROVIDED IN THE HOME, COMMUNITY, AND/OR CLINIC. OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL SERVICES INCLUDE: JUMP START PARENT TRAINING FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED FAMILIES, EARLY INTENSIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION, INTENSIVE SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTION, AND INTENSIVE HOME-BASED INTERVENTION. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND INTELLECTUAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AND ACCREDITED BY CARF. THE OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES CONTEMPORARY, EVIDENCE-BASED, BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUUM OF NEEDS EXHIBITED BY CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGES 18 MONTHS TO 21 YEARS OLD WITH ASD AND RELATED DISORDERS. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS. DEPENDING UPON CLIENT NEEDS, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY IS PROVIDED IN THE HOME, COMMUNITY, AND/OR CLINIC. OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL SERVICES INCLUDE: JUMP START PARENT TRAINING FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED FAMILIES, EARLY INTENSIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION, INTENSIVE SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTION, AND INTENSIVE HOME-BASED INTERVENTION. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND INTELLECTUAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AND ACCREDITED BY CARF.
  3. $2.6 million spent. VIA'S ADULT SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES ADULTS AGES 22 AND OLDER WITH ASD A VARIETY OF LIFE-LONG CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS. THE ACADEMY DAY PROGRAM OFFERS A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES SELF-CHOICE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. ADULT CLIENTS CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM DEVELOP INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, GAIN AND MAINTAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, AND LIVE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. ADULT SERVICES ALSO PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL CONSULTATION FOR ADULTS WITH CONTINUING BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES. THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AND ACCREDITED BY CARF.
  4. $650,457 spent. VIABLE VENTURES IS A SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CREATE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD BY ESTABLISHING SMALL BUSINESSES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE SKILLS, INTERESTS, AND ABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PERSONALIZED JOB TRAINING AND ONGOING OCCUPATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD SO THAT THEY CAN EXPERIENCE THE DIGNITY OF EARNING A PAYCHECK. VIABLE VENTURES' FIRST ENTERPRISE IS A CANDLE-MAKING BUSINESS THAT CRAFTS AND MARKETS CANDLES FOR LOCAL RETAIL AND ONLINE SALES. HARRY'S HOUSE IS A CONTRACTED SERVICE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FAMILY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN THE HOME OF AN ADULT MALE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
  5. VIABLE VENTURES IS A SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CREATE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD BY ESTABLISHING SMALL BUSINESSES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE SKILLS, INTERESTS, AND ABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PERSONALIZED JOB TRAINING AND ONGOING OCCUPATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD SO THAT THEY CAN EXPERIENCE THE DIGNITY OF EARNING A PAYCHECK. VIABLE VENTURES' FIRST ENTERPRISE IS A CANDLE-MAKING BUSINESS THAT CRAFTS AND MARKETS CANDLES FOR LOCAL RETAIL AND ONLINE SALES. HARRY'S HOUSE IS A CONTRACTED SERVICE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FAMILY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN THE HOME OF AN ADULT MALE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 March 2001.

    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.