JT Fortin Foundation

What JT Fortin Foundation does

JT Fortin Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation headquartered in Windham, New Hampshire, that supports individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder across the six New England states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine). Founded in 2016 by George and Jen Fortin after their son Jack's autism diagnosis, the foundation operates four core programs: (1) Swim Scholarships delivered through a partnership with Swim Angelfish (400+ lessons to date), (2) Autism Training for educators and first responders (80+ teachers and 2 dozen first responders trained), (3) Special Education Donations providing equipment, assistive technology, and sensory items to schools (10 schools served), and (4) Jack's Family Grant Fund offering grants up to $750 to qualifying families annually.

The foundation's technology stack is intentionally minimal: a Squarespace-hosted website (jtfortinfoundation.org) serves as the primary digital presence, a PayPal-hosted donation button handles online contributions, and an email newsletter captures supporter signups. There is no proprietary platform, no mobile application, no API, and no disclosed third-party software integrations. Operations are run by 1-10 employees/staff plus volunteers, with George Fortin identified as the primary contact for events.

The business model is purely donation-driven with no commercial revenue. Funds are raised through direct donation appeals via the website, a recurring calendar of community events (Light Up the Night for Autism Gala, Do You Know Jack Golf Tournament, 5K for Autism Awareness, Jack's Family Christmas), and an email newsletter. Since 2016 the foundation states it has raised over $90,000 cumulatively and helped over 5,000 individuals. All programmatic funds flow through grants (capped at $750 per family), swim-lesson scholarships underwritten at $50 per lesson, and direct equipment donations to schools. The customer base is bifurcated into beneficiaries (autism families, schools, trainees) who receive services and donors (individuals and event participants) who fund them.

Name

JT Fortin Foundation

Legal name

JT Fortin Foundation

Website

https://jtfortinfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JT Fortin Foundation is a Windham, NH-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2016 by the Fortin family, that supports New England autism families through swim scholarships, autism training, school equipment donations, and grants up to $750.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Family grants
• Swim scholarships
• Autism awareness training
• Special education donations

Headquarters

HQ city

Windham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation operates exclusively through donations from individuals, organizations, and fundraising events. All funds raised go directly to supporting autism programs including swim scholarships, training, grants, and special education donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

JT Fortin Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation that funds and delivers programs for the autism community in New England. Its core offerings include Jack's Family Grant Fund (direct financial grants of up to $750 to autism families for services and equipment), a Swim Scholarship Program delivered through the Swim Angelfish partnership, an Autism Training Program for teachers and first responders, and Special Education Donations of equipment, devices, and sensory items to schools. Activities are financed entirely through donations raised via the website's PayPal portal, an email newsletter, and annual fundraising events.

Product overview

JT Fortin Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs for the autism community, centered around four core offerings: the Swim Scholarship Program (providing swim lessons through Swim Angelfish partnership), Autism Training Program (training for educators and first responders), Special Education Donations (equipment and assistive technology for schools), and Jack's Family Grant Fund (direct financial assistance up to $750 for qualifying families in New England). These programs are complemented by an online Donation Portal for supporters. The foundation operates primarily in New England and has raised over $90,000, helped over 5,000 children, and provided over 400 swim lessons since 2016.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jack's Family Grant Fund: Grant program providing up to $750 to autism families in New England for services including swim lessons, therapies, equipment, and summer camps.

Products and services

• Jack's Family Grant Fund Financial assistance program providing grants of up to $750 to autism families in New England for services and items that directly improve the life of a family member with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Applications are accepted April 1 through May 31 annually, with grants awarded by early July.
• Swim Scholarship Program Scholarship program that provides private swim lessons for children with autism, physical difficulties, and sensory challenges through a partnership with Swim Angelfish (Swim Whisperers Swim School). Over 400 swim lessons have been provided to children through this program.
• Autism Training Program Provides autism awareness and sensitivity training for teachers and first responders, benefiting over 80 teachers, 2 dozen first responders, and thousands of students and community members across New England.
• Special Education Donations Direct donation program that provides equipment, devices, assistive technology, adaptive learning devices, and sensory items to school special education departments serving students with autism and other special needs. Has equipped 10 schools and thousands of children across New England.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 individuals with autism helped since 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Swim AngelfishcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Swim Angelfish (also known as Swim Whisperers Swim School) provides private swim lessons for children with autism, physical difficulties, and sensory challenges. The JT Fortin Foundation established a scholarship program enabling children with autism to receive swim lessons at Swim Angelfish facilities. Each $50 donation funds one swim lesson for a child with autism.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Swim Angelfish: Specialty swim school providing private lessons for children with autism and sensory challenges. Listed as JT Fortin's core GTM partner; highly comparable as a swim-based autism service provider with whom JT Fortin directly co-delivers scholarships.
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism: Family-founded autism nonprofit providing direct financial grants, services, and programs to autism families. Closely mirrors JT Fortin's family-driven model, direct family grants, and community-based fundraising approach.
• Organization for Autism Research: Autism-focused nonprofit that funds research and provides applied programs for individuals and families affected by ASD. Comparable in mission and grantmaking function though more research-oriented than JT Fortin's direct-services focus.

Regional players

• Autism Research Institute: Established autism-focused nonprofit funding research and disseminating applied interventions for individuals with ASD. Comparable as an autism-serving grantmaking nonprofit, though operating nationally rather than regionally.
• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC): Regional autism nonprofit providing direct services, school programs, and family resources in the Phoenix area. Comparable as a regional, multi-program autism nonprofit though concentrated in Arizona rather than New England.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Society of America: Oldest and one of the largest autism advocacy organizations in the US with national chapter network providing grants, resources, and family services. Overlaps with JT Fortin's mission and family-support orientation at much greater scale.
• Autism Speaks: Large national autism advocacy and research organization. Directly comparable as an autism-focused nonprofit providing grants, family services, and awareness programs, but operates at vastly greater national scale and budget.
• National Autism Association: National autism advocacy and family-support nonprofit offering resources, safety programs, and direct family assistance. Comparable as a larger autism-serving organization with overlapping family-services mission.

Emerging players

• Kerri Parker Foundation: Smaller family-driven autism nonprofit focused on financial assistance and family support. Mirrors JT Fortin's family-founded origin, direct family grant model, and grassroots fundraising approach at similar small scale.
• ACEing Autism: Nonprofit providing autism-focused athletic programs, including swim lessons and tennis, for individuals with ASD. Comparable to JT Fortin's Swim Scholarship Program as a partner-based, activity-driven service model for autism families.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jtf_foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 JT Fortin Foundation