What Els for Autism does

Els for Autism Foundation is a US public charity (EIN #26-3520396) founded in 2009 by professional golfer Ernie Els and his wife Liezl after their son Ben was diagnosed with autism. The organization delivers autism services across the lifespan, from early intervention for children as young as 15 months through adult day training, supported employment, and social enterprise programming for individuals up to age 76. Its operating hub is The Els Center of Excellence, a purpose-built campus in Jupiter, Florida designed under the proprietary ASPECTSS evidence-based design guidelines, comprising the Learning Academy charter school, therapy facilities, the Stoops Family Adult Services Building (opened August 2023), the Big Easy Cafe, the Sea of Possibilities microbusiness, and a Specialized Autism-Friendly Recreation Complex under construction for spring 2027.

The core service portfolio is built around a transdisciplinary clinical model that integrates applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, and recreation therapy, complemented by research-validated programs such as the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports curriculum (golf, tennis, fitness, aquatics), the Spring into Action Together (SIAT) caregiver-implemented early education program, RUBI Autism Network parent training, and the Work Experience Program. Global reach is delivered through the GOALS (Global Outreach Autism Learning Services) telehealth platform and an Official Program Provider (OPP) network of trained instructors in over 30 countries, supported by three affiliate foundations in Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The organization also hosts international autism conferences and produces peer-reviewed research, including multisite studies of its golf program published in the International Journal of Developmental Disorders.

Els for Autism funds its operations through a diversified nonprofit revenue model: individual and corporate donations, foundation and government grants, the annual Golf Challenge amateur tournament series (which has raised over $37 million cumulatively), program and service fees (with insurance and Florida Gardiner Scholarship funding pathways), a structured capital campaign with naming tiers for the Recreation Complex, and revenue from on-campus social enterprises. Employer partnerships across hospitality, food service, healthcare, and golf (e.g., PGA National Resort & Spa, Oceana Coffee, Peter Piper Pizza, Joey D Golf, Westside Cleaners, Jupiter Medical Center) form a placement pipeline for the Work Experience Program. In 2023 the organization served 367 individuals and 544 caregivers in the United States, and the team has grown to over 50 staff members under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Marlene Sotelo, with Donald Allan Jr. (Executive Chair of Stanley Black & Decker) appointed Board Chair in February 2026.

Name

Els for Autism

Legal name

Els for Autism Foundation

Website

https://elsforautism.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Els for Autism is a nonprofit organization delivering autism services across the lifespan, from early intervention through adulthood, through The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida, the GOALS global telehealth program, the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports curriculum, and social enterprises that employ autistic adults, serving families and professionals in more than 30 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK), Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services (EDAKAKAD), Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK)

Keywords

• Autism services
• Early intervention programs
• Adult disability services
• Vocational training autism
• Inclusive recreation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Jupiter

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Els for Autism is a US public charity (EIN #26-3520396) that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. The organization has received significant pledges including a $5 million commitment from Stanley Black & Decker for the Recreation Complex.
2. Golf Challenge Fundraising Events: The annual Golf Challenge Series is the largest fundraising activity, having raised over $37 million since inception. Held at top-rated golf courses across the US and Canada, with regional events culminating in a Grand Finale.
3. Program and Service Fees: Fees for various programs and services including early intervention, therapy services, adult services, and recreation services at The Els Center of Excellence. Insurance and funding options are available to families.
4. Naming Opportunities and Capital Campaign: Capital campaign for the Specialized Autism Friendly Recreation Complex with naming opportunities ranging from $250 (commemorative bricks) to $100,000 (Trellis Patron) and auditorium seat naming at $1,000-$5,000.
5. Social Enterprise Revenue: Revenue from social enterprises including the Big Easy Cafe by Ernie Els and Sea of Possibilities microbusiness, which train and employ individuals with autism.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Els for Autism Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing lifespan autism services including early intervention and education, therapy (ABA, speech, occupational, music), adult day training and supported employment, and the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Program (golf, tennis, fitness, aquatics). Services are delivered on The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida, via telehealth through the GOALS program globally, and through an Official Program Provider network across more than 30 countries.

Product overview

Els for Autism is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of autism services organized as interconnected programs rather than a unified software platform. The core service portfolio includes Early Intervention & Education Services, Adult Services (with vocational training, employment programs, and social enterprises like the Big Easy Cafe and Sea of Possibilities microbusiness), Therapy Services, and Recreation Services anchored by the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Program (golf, tennis, fitness, aquatics). Global reach is enabled through the GOALS (Global Outreach Autism Learning Services) program. The organization operates The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida, which houses The Learning Academy charter school, therapy facilities, and vocational training spaces including the Stoops Family Adult Services Building. Major programs include the Work Experience Program, SIAT early intervention, TEAMS professional training, RUBI Parent Training, and the Ernie Els Golf Challenge fundraising event. A Specialized Autism-Friendly Recreation Complex is under development for a 2027 opening.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf: Research-based golf program designed to make recreation accessible for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities
• Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports
• U Can Employ
• Sea of Possibilities
• Big Easy Cafe
• The Learning Academy
• GOALS

Products and services

• Early Intervention and Education Services Early intervention programs for children from 15 months old with autism spectrum disorder that maximize developmental potential in cognitive, social, and communication skills through evidence-based interventions including Spring into Action Together (SIAT) and RUBI Parent Training.
• Therapy Services Transdisciplinary therapeutic interventions including ABA-based services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and music therapy tailored for individuals with autism, delivered by a clinical team at the Jupiter, Florida campus.
• Adult Services Lifespan services for adults with autism aged 22+ including Adult Day Training, the Work Experience Program, supported employment, the CONNECT Mentor Program, Independent Living Skills (SALSA), and Community Access Programs to address the post-school services cliff.
• Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Program Research-based recreation program covering golf, tennis, fitness, and aquatics designed to make recreation accessible for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, developing social, communication, and motor skills; addresses water safety because drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism.
• Global Outreach Autism Learning Services (GOALS) Virtual and in-person consultation, training, and care coordination services provided to families and professionals worldwide, supporting evidence-based autism practices globally via telehealth.
• The Learning Academy (Charter School)

Quantifiable outcome

• 367 individuals (ages 15 months to 76 years) and 544 caregivers served in 2023 in the US
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ernie ElsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGA Tour golfer and World of Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els founded the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009 with his wife Liezl after their son Ben was diagnosed with autism. He remains the public face of the organization and creator of the Ernie Els #GameON Autism programs.
• Mount Sinai / Seaver Els InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMount Sinai of New York and Els for Autism Foundation joined forces to establish the Seaver Els Institute at The Els Center of Excellence, bringing together personalized education, clinical research, and science.
• Arcis GolfcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerArcis Golf, the second largest owner-operator of private, resort, and daily fee golf courses, partnered with Els for Autism for fundraising and awareness during Autism Awareness Month, with nationwide fundraising initiatives across their portfolio.
• Keiser UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKeiser University partnered with Els for Autism to provide golf students with best practices for effectively teaching autistic learners.
• Lighthouse Learning and Development Centre (Toronto, Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEls for Autism is working with Lighthouse Learning to help their team replicate the Adult Day Training and Work Experience Programs and begin utilizing the U Can Employ Job Coach Manual.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• May Institute: Nonprofit operating autism-specific schools, adult services, and ABA therapy programs across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable to The Learning Academy and Stoops Family Adult Services Building as a multi-state operator of autism-specific educational and adult programs.
• National Autism Association: Nonprofit focused on safety, advocacy, and education for individuals with autism. Comparable mission overlap on safety-focused programming (e.g., the aquatics drowning-prevention component of #GameON Autism Sports) and family/caregiver support.
• NEXT for AUTISM: Nonprofit organization funding and operating innovative autism programs and services nationally. Directly comparable to Els for Autism as a private nonprofit funder/operator of autism education, research, and adult services, with shared donor-base dynamics. NEXT for AUTISM is also listed as a recent investor/funder in the source data.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): Nonprofit that funds applied autism research and disseminates findings to families and professionals. Comparable to the Seaver Els Institute and research publications arm of Els for Autism, with similar peer-reviewed output and parent/professional educational resources.
• Touchpoint Autism Services: Nonprofit providing direct autism services including ABA therapy, adult services, and family support in the Midwest. Comparable direct-service, lifespan-focused operating model at a smaller regional scale.
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism: Celebrity-founded (NFL quarterback Doug Flutie) nonprofit funding autism services, education, and advocacy. Closely comparable in mission, donor model, and lifespan support focus, though smaller and more grant-giving than direct-service operating.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability services including autism therapy, early intervention, and employment supports. Comparable lifespan services model and employer partnership ecosystem, but at a much broader disability scope (not autism-specific).
• Autism Speaks: The largest autism advocacy and science nonprofit in the U.S., funding research and services across the autism spectrum. Comparable as a broad incumbent funder in the autism services and research space, but operating at much larger scale with a national rather than campus-based service model.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: One of the largest U.S. nonprofits providing behavioral healthcare, including autism-specific schools, residential, and adult services. Comparable broader portfolio of lifespan autism services, though operated at significantly larger scale across many states.

Emerging players

• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): One of the largest U.S. providers of ABA therapy and related autism services, with clinics nationwide. Comparable in early intervention and therapy services, but operates on a for-profit, clinic-based model rather than nonprofit campus model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elsforautism
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@elsforautism
• Facebookfacebook.com/elsforautism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/els-for-autism
• Instagraminstagram.com/els_for_autism

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Els for Autism