Arms Around ASD

What Arms Around ASD does

Arms Around ASD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at the Asheville Mall in Asheville, North Carolina, that provides support services to autistic individuals and their families. Founded in 2013 (with nonprofit status received in 2014 and first clients served in January 2015), the organization operates a community-based service model spanning six categories: Therapeutic & Supportive services (energy healing, reiki, guided meditation, somatic breathing, pet therapy), Medical & Dental (acupuncture, dental screenings, health screenings), Massage & Pampering (chair massage, bodywork, facials), Fitness & Movement (chair yoga, Zumba Gold, dance), Education & Skill Development (cooking, gardening, nature walks), and Creativity, Play & Socializing (art, gaming, music, improv). As of Spring 2025, the organization offers 45 unique services delivered to approximately 1,800 participants.

The operating model is volunteer-powered: all direct services are provided by 85+ volunteer practitioners, supported by just three paid administrative staff (Executive Director, Administrative Assistant, and Big Hug Boutique Manager). Services are offered on a donation-based model at approximately 10% of market value, with a stated policy of not turning anyone away for inability to pay; participants unable to donate monetarily may instead contribute through volunteering. The underlying technology is minimal—a Squarespace-built website with a Breely-powered online booking calendar for class registration—indicating that human community, rather than platform technology, is the primary value driver.

Revenue is generated through tax-deductible individual donations (credit card, PayPal, Venmo, plus a monthly giving program targeting 100 donors at $25/month to close a $30,000 annual shortfall), foundation and corporate grants with tiered sponsorships ($1,500+ down to $100+), service-based donations, and retail sales from the Big Hug Boutique—an upscale thrift and artisan boutique housed within the Asheville Mall location that also provides work-experience opportunities for autistic individuals. The organization has received the Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Seal of Transparency and Best of Asheville awards in 2024 and 2025 (Gold and Silver). Governance is provided by a Board of Directors (Rich Johnston as President, Melissa Gerhardt as Secretary, Jason Hadley as Treasurer) under Founder and Executive Director Michele Louzon, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external investment involvement.

Name

Arms Around ASD

Legal name

Arms Around ASD

Website

https://armsaroundasd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Arms Around ASD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Asheville, NC that delivers 45 volunteer-provided support services—including therapeutic, medical, fitness, educational, and creative offerings—to approximately 1,800 autistic individuals and their families on a donation-based model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism and disability support services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Sensory & Occupational Support (School-Based) (EDAKAKAH), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Community nonprofit programs
• Executive function coaching
• Neurodivergent affirming care
• Volunteer therapeutic services

Headquarters

HQ city

Asheville

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, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations through credit card (Square), PayPal, and Venmo. Monthly giving program where 100 donors at $25/month equals $30,000 annual revenue.
2. Big Hug Boutique Sales: Upscale thrift and art sales from the autism community at the Asheville Mall retail location. Consignors can sell handmade items.
3. Grant Funding: Foundation grants from sponsors at various levels ($1500+, $1000, $500, $250, $100+).
4. Service Donations: Services provided at 10% of market value as suggested donation. No one turned away for inability to pay. Clients unable to donate may volunteer instead.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arms Around ASD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers approximately 45 community-based services to autistic individuals and their families across six categories: Therapeutic & Supportive, Medical & Dental, Massage & Pampering, Fitness & Movement, Education & Skill Development, and Creativity, Play & Socializing. All services are provided by 85+ trained volunteers at no cost or at a suggested 10% of market value donation, with no one turned away for inability to pay. The organization also operates the Big Hug Boutique, a retail social enterprise at the Asheville Mall selling autism-community art and curated thrift items.

Product overview

Arms Around ASD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of autism support services in Asheville, NC. The organization operates as a volunteer-powered community center providing services across six main categories: Therapeutic & Supportive (energy healing, reiki, meditation, support groups), Medical & Dental (acupuncture, health screenings), Massage & Pampering (bodywork, facials), Fitness & Movement (yoga, dance, Zumba), Education & Skill Development (cooking, gardening), and Creativity Play & Socializing (art, gaming, music). Services are provided at low or no cost with no one turned away for inability to pay. The organization also operates the Big Hug Boutique, a retail space selling autism community art and curated thrift items, and provides an online booking calendar for service scheduling. As of Spring 2025, the organization offers 45 services through 85 volunteers serving approximately 1,800 participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Big Hug Boutique: An upscale thrift and art boutique featuring creations from the autism community. Located at the Asheville Mall. Clients can get work experience by volunteering in the boutique.

Products and services

• Executive Function Coaching Practical support for task management, life skills, and routine building for autistic individuals and their families.
• Self-Care Therapies Complementary therapies including reiki, massage, dry needling, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and foot rubs provided by volunteer practitioners.
• Mindfulness & Support Groups Social groups, coaching, and safe spaces for connection, including support groups for autistic adults, parents, late-diagnosed individuals, and queer/autistic communities.
• Creative & Employment Opportunities Art sales, stop-motion animation workshops, and work experience opportunities in the Big Hug Boutique for autistic individuals.
• Therapeutic & Supportive Services Comprehensive therapeutic offerings including energy healing, reiki, guided meditation, somatic breathing, sound healing, pet therapy, supportive counseling, and specialized support groups for various neurodivergent populations.
• Medical & Dental Services Healthcare services including acupuncture, dental screenings, and health screenings provided by licensed volunteer practitioners.
• Massage & Pampering Services Bodywork services including chair massage, full massage and bodywork, facials, foot rubs, and infrared chakra mat sessions for nervous system regulation.
• Fitness & Movement Services Physical wellness activities including chair yoga, Zumba Gold, dance classes, gentle stretching, and movement sessions designed for all abilities.
• Education & Skill Development Services Skill-building programs including cooking classes, nature walks, gardening groups, and functional skills development for autistic individuals.
• Creativity, Play & Socializing Services Creative and social activities including art classes, crafting club, music and karaoke, video game days, improv classes, D&D gaming, book club, and snack attack sessions.
• Big Hug Boutique A retail boutique at the Asheville Mall selling curated thrift items and arts and crafts created by the autism community, providing work experience opportunities for clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1800 participants served as of Spring 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Vinnies ItalianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Italian restaurant partner supporting the Asheville autism community through donations or promotional support.
• I Can Make ThatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCraft and creation business partner offering programming or supplies for autism community activities.
• Asheville Drag BrunchcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2026 sponsor at $1500+ level. Event partner for community events and fundraising.
• West Village MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal market partner supporting community initiatives.
• Highland Tallow CominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor supporting autism community programs.
• New Belgium BrewingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2026 sponsor supporting community events and programming at the Asheville location.
• YearpinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCeramic pin creator; merchandise sold at Big Hug Boutique for $8 each.
• Montana's SmokesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner supporting community initiatives.
• Asheville MallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary landlord and hosting partner. AAASD operates from Suite L-40 at the Asheville Mall. Mall provides visibility and community access.
• If You Had WingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit founded by Lindsay Holcombe in April 2020 during COVID. Selects a different nonprofit each month to receive all proceeds. Chose AAASD as July (Disability Pride month) 2026 recipient. Sells birdhouses to raise funds for featured nonprofits.
• Audubon SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Bird Watching / Nature Walk programming; guides lead outdoor educational activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Nationwide disability services network providing autism therapy, early intervention, and employment supports across hundreds of local affiliates. Comparable mission but vastly larger scale, paid clinical staff, and broader disability scope than AAASD's autism-focused model.
• Autism Society of America: National autism advocacy and support organization with 70+ chapters delivering community-based programs, support groups, and resources. Operates in AAASD's category but as a federated national network rather than a single-location community hub.
• National Autism Association: National nonprofit focused on autism safety, wandering prevention, and family support. Mission overlap with AAASD's family/caregiver support and community-services model, though operating nationally through education and advocacy rather than brick-and-mortar service delivery.
• Els for Autism Foundation: Foundation providing autism programs across the lifespan — therapy, education, recreation, and community services — through a dedicated center, comparable in service-mix breadth to AAASD but with paid clinical staff and a foundation/funded operating model.
• Catalight: Parent organization of autism service providers (formerly Easterseals Northern California and Cardinal Services) operating clinical autism services and research at scale. Comparable end-user population and family services but clinical/clinical-research orientation versus AAASD's volunteer-led community wellness model.
• The Arc: National advocacy and direct-services organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with local chapters providing community programs and family supports. Overlapping populations (autism/IDD) and comparable grassroots chapter model, but broader IDD remit and larger institutional footprint.

Direct peers

• Asperger/Autism Network (AANE): Community-based nonprofit serving autistic individuals and families in New England with support groups, education, and direct services. Highly comparable model to AAASD: regional, volunteer-involved, multi-service nonprofit rather than a national advocacy body.
• Autism Society of North Carolina: State-level nonprofit providing support groups, resources, and direct services to autistic individuals and families across North Carolina. Closest direct peer to AAASD given shared geography and mission, with broader regional reach but comparable grassroots, community-based service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/armsaroundasd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Arms Around ASD