What Autism Society of Maryland does

The Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM, EIN 52-1857712) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered at 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 308, Columbia, Maryland. It operates as an official affiliate of the Autism Society of America, serving individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and broader Maryland communities with advocacy, education, information, and direct support services — all delivered free of charge. Programmatic offerings include an online Resource Library, Special Education Resources (IEP/IFSP/504, accommodations, mediation, due process), Support & Social Groups (General Family Support Group, Moms' Night Out, Latino Parent Support Group), the Yoga Connections / Yoga Together program funded by The Hussman Foundation, the bilingual 'Among Friends with Autism / Entre Amigos con Autismo' playgroup in Anne Arundel County, the Autism Hiring Program, an emergency Food Pantry, a Webinar Library, and sensory-friendly community events such as the AUSOM Pool Party and Walk & 5K Run. Resources are published in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than transactional. Reported total funding stands at approximately $1.6 million, composed of $440,000 in federal support over two years (27.5%) and $1,160,000 from non-federal sources including private foundations, corporations, Combined Federal Campaign / United Way workplace giving, and individual donations. Revenue streams therefore fall into donations and grant_funding categories, with no fees charged to beneficiaries and only optional pay-what-you-can contributions at select events (e.g., Pool Party at suggested $5/person). Go-to-market is hybrid: organic social (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), a content-rich website (autismsocietymd.org), monthly email newsletters, and a mix of in-person and Zoom-delivered community events.

Operationally, AUSOM runs on a small staff (1–10 employees) supported by a Board of Directors and a network of strategic partners including the Howard County Public Schools System, Howard County Government, the Maryland State Department of Education, the United Way of Central Maryland, the Columbia Association, the Yoga Center of Columbia, Arundel Community Development Services, and Mission First Housing Group. The organization holds the 2024 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and is governed as an independent affiliate rather than a subsidiary of the Autism Society of America. Recent activity — a January 2025 grant from the Community Foundation of Howard County, the 2025 Starlight Elegance Gala, and the expansion of bilingual playgroups into Anne Arundel County — indicates incremental mission widening within Maryland rather than geographic or scale expansion.

Name

Autism Society of Maryland

Legal name

Autism Society of Maryland

Website

https://autismsocietymd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Autism Society of Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Autism Society of America, providing free advocacy, education, special-education resources, support groups, and community programs to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families throughout Maryland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK), Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Autism advocacy services
• Disability support programs
• Community education services
• Nonprofit family support
• Special needs resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, families, and community supporters
2. Federal Grants: Federally funded with $440,000 over two years (27.5% of total funding)
3. Non-Federal Funding: $1,160,000 (72.5%) financed by non-federal sources including foundations and community grants
4. Workplace Giving: Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and United Way workplace giving programs

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Autism Society of Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. It provides advocacy, education, and community assistance to autistic individuals and their families across the state. Programs and resources are offered free of charge and sustained through donations, grants, and community fundraising.

Product overview

The Autism Society of Maryland offers a comprehensive suite of support services and resources for individuals with autism and their families. The organization's services include an online Resource Library with information on autism, community assistance, and family navigation; Special Education Resources covering IEP processes and accommodations; Support & Social Groups including virtual and in-person yoga programs, family support groups, and bilingual playgroups; a Webinar Library of educational presentations; the Autism Hiring Program for employment support; and emergency assistance through a Food Pantry. These programs are designed to provide information, peer support, advocacy, and community connection throughout the lifespan of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Autism Society of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUSOM is an official affiliate of the Autism Society of America, receiving organizational guidance, resources, and national brand recognition as part of the larger autism advocacy network.
• Howard County Public Schools SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on special education resources, transitions, and school-based support for students with autism. HCPSS provides translated publications and joint advocacy efforts.
• Maryland State Department of EducationcoreOthersCollaboration on special education resources, state complaint procedures, mediation processes, and IEP documentation for Maryland families.
• Columbia AssociationminorOthersProvides lifeguards trained in Autism 101 for the annual AUSOM Pool Party sensory-friendly swimming event.
• Yoga Center of ColumbiaminorOthersHost venue for in-person Yoga Together classes made possible through Hussman Foundation grant funding.
• Mission First Housing GroupminorOthersJoint statement partner regarding Patuxent Commons affordable housing community for individuals with disabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Large national autism advocacy organization providing information, advocacy, and family services at scale; competes for donor dollars and visibility but operates a broader portfolio beyond Maryland.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including autism support, employment programs, and advocacy; substantially larger and more diversified than AUSOM but overlapping mission.
• The Arc: National disability advocacy and services organization with state/local chapters; broader than autism specifically but competes for similar disability advocacy funding and donor attention.

Direct peers

• Pathfinders for Autism: Maryland-based nonprofit offering resources, support, and advocacy for the autism community; directly competes with AUSOM for Maryland families, donors, and grant funding.
• Autism Society of America: National parent organization of which AUSOM is a state affiliate; provides overlapping advocacy, information, and support resources but at the national level, making it the most direct structural peer.
• Autism Society of California: Another state affiliate of Autism Society of America operating a similar model of advocacy, support groups, and special education resources, but serving California instead of Maryland.

Emerging players

• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): National nonprofit funding applied autism research and providing resources for families; thematic peer with overlapping family-support mission but more research-oriented focus.

Regional players

• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Maryland-based institution providing clinical, educational, and research services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities; complements AUSOM's community support with direct clinical services in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/autismsociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@autismsocietymd6532
• Facebookfacebook.com/autismsocietymd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autismsocietymd
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismsocietymd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Autism Society of Maryland