South Carolina Autism Society

What South Carolina Autism Society does

The Autism Society South Carolina (SCAS, formerly South Carolina Autism Society) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded around 1970 and headquartered at 806 12th Street, West Columbia, SC. SCAS delivers autism services across three state regions (Upstate, Pee Dee, Lowcountry) through a 11-50 employee organization, with case managers, parent mentors, and information specialists providing direct support to families affected by autism spectrum disorder. Core service programs include Case Management, the Parent School Partnership Program (mentoring families through the special education process for over 20 years), Information & Resources, state and federal Advocacy, Outreach/Speaker Requests, and Autism 101 Training workshops priced at $15 per two-day session. The organization targets four customer segments: families of individuals with autism (primary), autistic individuals themselves, schools and educators, and service providers/medical professionals.

Business model is donation-dependent and highly diversified across multiple revenue streams: charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations (primary funding), a self-operated e-commerce marketplace selling autism awareness merchandise ($1–$50 price range, including artwork from autistic artists via PayPal checkout), a statewide Autism Awareness specialty license plate program through the South Carolina DMV ($30 every two years), workshop fees, and percentage-of-sales restaurant fundraising partnerships with Panera Bread (19 SC locations), BJ's Brewhouse, Fatz Cafe (17+ SC locations), and Bi-Lo community bag donations. Annual events including Strides for Autism Walk, A Night Out with SCAS, Parade of Lights, Back to School Bash, and Giving Tuesday drive fundraising and community engagement.

Technology footprint is intentionally minimal: standard WordPress website with content pages, donation forms routed through third-party platforms Zeffy and Classy, social media presence on Facebook and X, and email newsletter distribution. There is no API, no mobile app, no AI/ML capability, and no proprietary technology platform — operations are human-delivered services rather than software. The organization is an affiliate of the Autism Society of America but operates as an independent entity with a volunteer Board of Directors; leadership transitioned in October 2024 with appointment of James A. Merklinger as Executive Director.

Name

South Carolina Autism Society

Legal name

Autism Society South Carolina

Website

https://scautism.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The South Carolina Autism Society (SCAS) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded c. 1970 in West Columbia, SC, providing case management, parent mentoring, advocacy, training, and information services to families and individuals affected by autism spectrum disorder across South Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

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

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 Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Case management nonprofit
• Parent school partnership
• Autism advocacy services
• Autism awareness training

Headquarters

HQ city

West 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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations and programs. Federal Tax ID: 23-7350663.
2. Marketplace Sales: SCAS operates an e-commerce marketplace selling autism awareness merchandise including jewelry, apparel, accessories, and artwork from autistic artists. Products range from $1 to $50.
3. Specialized License Plate Program: South Carolina DMV license plate sales generate revenue. Plates cost $30 every two years, with proceeds supporting advocacy, education, and referral services.
4. Training and Workshop Fees: Parent training workshops charged at $15 for two-day sessions covering autism awareness and effective strategies.
5. Restaurant Fundraising Partnerships: Partnerships with Panera Bread, BJ's Brewhouse, and Fatz Cafe generate donations through percentage-of-sales events and cookie campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SCAS delivers direct support services to families and individuals affected by autism across South Carolina, including case management, the Parent School Partnership Program with trained parent mentors, information and referral services, state and federal advocacy, and Autism 101 training workshops. The organization also operates a self-run e-commerce marketplace selling autism awareness merchandise and artwork by autistic artists, and sponsors an "Autism Awareness" specialty license plate through the SC DMV to fund advocacy and referral services.

Product overview

The South Carolina Autism Society (SCAS) is a nonprofit organization that functions as a service provider rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of direct service programs including Case Management (offered across state regions), the Parent School Partnership Program (with trained Parent Mentors), Information & Resources, Advocacy at state/federal levels, Outreach and Training services, and Autism 101 Training workshops. The organization also operates a SCAS Marketplace selling autism awareness merchandise including jewelry, bracelets, keychains, pins, magnets, apparel, and artwork by autistic artists. Additionally, SCAS organizes fundraising events including the annual Strides for Autism Walk, Back to School Bash, and A Night Out with SCAS. The organization also sponsors an Autism Awareness License Plate through the SC DMV. SCAS does not offer a technology product with API, integrations, or AI capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Management Case management services provided across South Carolina regions, assessing needs, identifying resources, planning services, arranging and monitoring care, and providing crisis management for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families.
• Parent School Partnership Program A program designed to build collaboration between parents and school staff, with trained Parent Mentors serving families throughout South Carolina to help navigate the special education process.
• Information & Resources Providing information, resources, and referrals to families and individuals affected by autism across South Carolina.
• Advocacy Advocacy services at state and federal levels to pass legislation providing necessary services for autistic individuals, including responding to policy changes affecting IDEA and civil rights functions.
• Outreach/Speaker Request Outreach services and speaker requests for training on autism-related topics for businesses, schools, government, and churches.
• Autism 101 Training Virtual and in-person training for parents, caregivers, teachers, and community members covering autism awareness, IEP preparation, and effective strategies. Parent training workshops are charged at $15 for two-day sessions covering 9 hours total.
• SCAS Marketplace Online marketplace selling autism awareness merchandise including jewelry, bracelets, keychains, lapel pins, magnets, apparel, bags, lanyards, tumblers, and artwork by autistic artists. Products range from $1 (silicone bracelets) to $50 (artwork).
• Autism Awareness License Plate Specialty license plate sponsored through the South Carolina DMV, available for $30 every two years, with proceeds supporting advocacy, education, information, and referral services.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Fatz CafeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2019Restaurant fundraising partnership at multiple South Carolina locations (Aiken, Anderson, Boiling Springs, Camden, Cheraw, Rock Hill, Clinton, Easley, Florence, Columbia, Gaffney, Greenwood, Greer, Irmo, Lexington, Orangeburg, and Seneca). Percentage of total check donated to SCAS.
• BJ's BrewhouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 May 2019Restaurant fundraising event donating 20% of food and soft beverage sales to SCAS over four-day promotional periods at the Harbison Blvd location in Columbia, SC.
• Covelli Enterprises (Panera Bread)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2019Annual 'Pieces of Hope for Autism' cookie campaign where 100% of proceeds from specially designed puzzle piece cookies are donated to SCAS. Since 2010, Covelli Enterprises has donated over $2 million to autism organizations. The campaign runs during Autism Awareness Month (April) across 19 Panera cafes in South Carolina.
• Bi-Lo (Community Bag Program)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2019Community Bag Program at Bi-Lo location (2349 Augusta Rd, West Columbia, SC) where $1 per reusable community bag is donated to SCAS. Operated through MySEGCause.com platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: National organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism) operating through state chapters, delivering advocacy and family/caregiver support comparable to SCAS's advocacy and information/referral services.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including autism support, case management, and family services through a federation of state affiliates. Overlaps with SCAS in family-support service delivery and fundraising model.
• Autism Speaks: National autism advocacy and research organization with overlapping mission in advocacy, family services, and resource provision. Larger and broader in scope; SCAS's state-level service work partially overlaps with Autism Speaks' family services programs.

Direct peers

• National Autism Association: National autism nonprofit focused on family support, safety, advocacy, and education — mission-adjacent to SCAS with overlapping family-services and advocacy programs.
• Autism Society of Georgia: Another state affiliate of the Autism Society of America delivering information/referral, parent mentoring, advocacy, and community education programs — directly comparable nonprofit service model to SCAS.
• Organization for Autism Research: Autism-focused nonprofit producing applied research and resources for families, educators, and self-advocates — comparable mission of equipping the autism community with knowledge and support.
• Autism Society of America: National parent organization and affiliate network of which SCAS is an independent state affiliate. Operates the same mission of advocacy, information/referral, and community support, and shares brand assets and policy positions with SCAS.
• Autism Society of North Carolina: State-level affiliate offering case management, parent training, advocacy, and resource referral — virtually the same service mix as SCAS but operating in North Carolina. Directly comparable in scope, model, and revenue approach.
• Autism Society of Texas: Statewide autism nonprofit providing case management-style support, parent education, advocacy, and community events. Closest in scale and service mix to SCAS among larger state affiliates.
• Autism Society of California: Larger state affiliate providing information/referral, advocacy, parent education, and community programs across California — directly comparable service mix to SCAS, only at a larger scale and population base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SCAutismSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/scautism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-carolina-autism-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 South Carolina Autism Society