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Autism Research Institute

EIN 95-2548452 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE AUTISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE IS TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF AUTISTIC PEOPLE THROUGH BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND FREE EDUCATION.

Income
$255,113
Spending
$632,454
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
85.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 85.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 148% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 89% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $362,509 spent. TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF AUTISTIC PEOPLE THROUGH BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND FREE EDUCATION. THIS INCLUDES: (1) CONDUCTING REASERCH, (2) ORGANIZING NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND ONLINE THINK TANKS, (3) SPONSORING NEAR-WEEKLY WEBINARS, (4) OFFERING, IN-JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CLEVELAND CLINIC, COMPLIMENTARY AMA PRA CATEGORY CREDIT TO PHYSICIANS, (5) SPONSORING A POPULAR WEBSITE, WWW.AUTISM.ORG, (6) PRODUCING INFORMATIVE VIDEOS, AND (7) PUBLISHING E-NEWSLETTERS, A QUARTERLY SCIENCE NEWSLETTER, AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY BOOKS, AND CURATING THE NATIONAL AUTISM HISTORY MUSEUM.
  2. $45,313 spent. ARI IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH REGARDING AUTISM. WE ARE GROUNDED IN OUR CORE MISSION, ESTABLISHED IN THE 1960S, TO SERVE INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO UNDERSTANDING, RECOGNITION, SERVICE, AND EMPLOYMENT; SCIENTISTS WHO ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING ANSWERS TO COMPLEX QUESTIONS; AND CLINICIANS WHO ARE WORKING IN THIS ARENA TO BEST CARE FOR THOSE WITH AUTISM. ARI'S PARTNERSHIPS IN THIS EFFORT CONTINUE TO INCLUDE FAMILIES, CLINICIANS, AND RESEARCHERS AROUND THE GLOBE. ARI FUNDS RESEARCH EFFORTS IN MULTIPLE COUNTRIES AND WORK WITH NUMEROUS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS TO SHARE THE LATEST KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AUTISM.
  3. $45,314 spent. ARI IS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGO), REGISTERED WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. ARI COLLABORATES WITH RESEARCHERS, ORGANIZES CONFERENCES ANF THINK TANKS, AND ACTIVELY CONSULTS WITH AUSTIM ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE. MANY OF OUR ARTICLES, VIDEOS, AND ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO VARIOUS LANGUAGES IN THE PAST YEARS. ARI PROVIDES OUTREACH SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS IN 77 COUNTRIES.

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 1968.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Arc Research Institute (Palo Alto, CA), EIN 87-1920284. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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