Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Autistic Self-Reliance Support Network

EIN 92-1479317 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak21 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 50 cents.

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

What it says it does

Independence Through Interdependence formerly known as Autistic Self-Reliance Support Network or ASR provides education assistance community building research and advocacy for autistic people and their loved ones. 2024 initiatives included launching a partially-owned for-profit social enterprise completing Phase 1 of the Mobility Autonomy Program suicide prevention activities through the Positive Outcomes Project and an ongoing advocacy campaign to flip the power dynamic in autism research and funding to prioritize autistic perspectives.

Income
$435,416
Spending
$435,416
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$82,152, cofounder and co-executive director

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

Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 100% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 50 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 4 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
  1. $243,675 spent. Established ITI Assistive Technologies Inc. subsequently renamed ITI Lab in 2025 a partially-owned for-profit social enterprise developing assistive technology for neurodivergent adults. This initiative supports ASR ITIs mission to provide free direct services to autistic adults. During this tax year ASR ITI received $7,500 from GiveBackHack Columbus to support this venture. Through a resource sharing agreement with ITI Assistive Technologies Inc ASR created 3 neuroinclusive full-time positions with health insurance benefits. These positions were leased to ITI Assistive Technologies Inc for $237746.36 during its tax exempt purpose-aligned research grant from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to develop AI-powered supports for autistic and ADHD adults. This strategic partnership advances ASR ITIs sustainable service model while directly creating employment opportunities for the population we serve and allowing us to advance nonprofit activities at an accelerated rate.
  2. $27,067 spent. Completed Phase 1 of the Mobility Autonomy Program MAP which addresses transportation access and communication challenges for autistic adults. During this tax year we conducted 20 expert interviews and collected 100 survey responses from autistic adults regarding their mobility and communication support needs. This research established the foundation for future phases and helped identify critical barriers to independence. The program was supported by grants from the Holy Trinity Endowment Committee $1,500 Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council $5,000 and The Columbus Foundation $15,000. Findings from Phase 1 will inform the development of practical solutions in Phases 2-4 with a comprehensive implementation plan now established to improve transportation access and autonomy for our community.
  3. $5,000 spent. Launched the Positive Outcomes Project POP focused on increasing evidence-based measures of positive wellbeing for autistic adults. During this tax year we established a formal relationship with the Autism and Suicide Prevention Working Group to address critical mental health concerns in the autistic community. We developed and submitted grant proposals to fund a national meeting dedicated to autism and suicide prevention strategies. Additionally we received a $2,500 grant from Insperity to sponsor a sensory-supportive event in Washington D.C. providing autistic adults with accommodations and resources to promote wellbeing in public settings. These foundational efforts will advance our mission to improve quality of life metrics and create measurable positive outcomes for autistic adults.

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 April 2023.

    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.