Autism Society Central Virginia

What Autism Society Central Virginia does

Autism Society Central Virginia (ASCV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, that supports individuals with autism and their families across the Central Virginia region. The organization delivers more than 60 unique social, recreational, support, and educational programs across age tiers (preschool, elementary, teen, adult), supplemented by summer camps, support groups, scholarships and financial assistance (over $26,500 awarded in 2022), a Resource Directory, Information and Referral services, and the annual Life in the Community Conference focused on transition to adulthood. ASCV also operates the Autism Friendly Communities (AFC) program, a paid B2B training and designation offering for healthcare providers, first responders, and local businesses seeking to create more inclusive environments.

The underlying technology stack is deliberately lightweight: ASCV runs no proprietary AI or ML systems and instead uses Mindbody, a third-party registration platform, exposed to participants through a white-labeled ASCV mobile app available on iOS and Android. Program delivery is human-led and in-person, executed through partnerships with 100+ local organizations across recreation, fitness, arts, civic, and healthcare verticals. Customer acquisition is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth, volunteer leadership (Junior Board, Board of Directors, Self-Advocate Council), referrals from partner organizations, events, and earned media.

ASCV's revenue model is multi-stream and characteristic of a mid-sized regional nonprofit: individual donations and corporate sponsorships; annual membership fees providing discounts on programs and member-only events; program and camp fees (offset by scholarships); special event proceeds from the 5K & Family Fun Day, RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion, and the A Toast to the Autism Community Gala; federal and institutional grants (including a reported $150,000 BJA Kevin and Avonte Program Grant); and fee-based AFC training contracts for businesses and government entities. Major fundraising outcomes in recent years include approximately $300,000 from the 2023 Gala, $180,000 from the 2024 5K, and over $232,000 from the 2024 RVA Duck Race, with CoStar serving as presenting sponsor of the Duck Race in both 2023 and 2024.

Name

Autism Society Central Virginia

Legal name

Autism Society of Central Virginia

Website

https://ascv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Autism Society Central Virginia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that delivers 60+ social, recreational, educational, and support programs for individuals with autism and their families across Central Virginia, funded via donations, events, membership fees, grants, and paid Autism Friendly Communities business training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

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 Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Community recreation programs
• Sensory-friendly programming
• Autism advocacy services
• Disability support nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Allen

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events including the annual 5K & Family Fun Day and RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership program offering benefits including members-only events and discounts on fee-based programs.
3. Program Fees: Fees for various programs including summer camps, classes, and social activities. Financial assistance and scholarships available for families facing financial challenges.
4. Special Events Revenue: Revenue from events including the annual Gala, Duck Race, and 5K events.
5. Autism Friendly Communities Program: Fee-based training program for businesses seeking AFC designation, with pricing based on organization size and scope.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ASCV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers social, recreational, educational, and support programming for individuals with autism and their families across Central Virginia. Offerings span age cohorts from preschool through adult, including support groups, summer camps, and the Autism Friendly Communities (AFC) business and first-responder training program, with program discovery and registration enabled through an ASCV-branded mobile app and the Mindbody platform.

Product overview

The Autism Society of Central Virginia operates as a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of autism support services rather than a traditional software product. The core offerings include the ASCV Mobile App (powered by Mindbody) for program registration, age-differentiated programs for Preschool, Elementary, Teen, and Adult participants, Support Groups, and Summer Camps. The organization also provides the Autism Friendly Communities (AFC) training program for businesses and first responders. Major annual events include the ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day and RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion. Additional services include a Resource Directory, Information & Referral Services, Scholarships & Financial Assistance, the Life in the Community Conference, Law Enforcement Safety Seminar, Wings for Autism airport program, and iCan Swim adaptive swimming lessons. In 2025, the organization welcomed more than 11,200 participants across over 60 unique programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Autism Friendly Communities (AFC) Business Program A community-facing training program that partners with local businesses to educate staff and make community spaces more accessible for individuals with autism.
• Autism Friendly Communities (AFC) — Healthcare Healthcare-focused arm of the AFC training program designed to improve how healthcare providers serve and interact with individuals with autism.
• Autism Friendly Communities (AFC) — First Responders Branch of the AFC program that delivers community inclusion training to law enforcement and emergency service personnel responding to situations involving individuals with autism.
• Law Enforcement Safety Seminar Autism-focused safety training seminar for law enforcement officers, designed to improve interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum.
• Wings for Autism Travel-readiness program that lets individuals with autism and their families rehearse the air-travel experience in a supportive environment.
• iCan Swim Program Swimming instructional program for individuals with autism, delivered through ASCV's network of instructors and partners.
• Summer Camps Recurring summer camp programs for individuals with autism offering structured recreation in autism-informed settings.
• Programs for Preschool Age Children Social, recreational, and educational programs designed for preschool-age children with autism.
• Programs for Elementary Age Children Social, recreational, and educational programs designed for elementary-age children with autism.
• Programs for Teens Social, recreational, and educational programs designed for teenagers with autism.
• Programs for Adults Social, recreational, and educational programs designed for adults with autism.
• Support Groups Facilitated peer support groups for families and individuals affected by autism, delivered through ASCV.
• Information and Referral Services Resource navigation service that connects families and individuals affected by autism to relevant community resources and services.
• Resource Directory Searchable online directory of autism-related service providers, supports, and resources in the Central Virginia region.
• Scholarships and Financial Assistance Scholarship and financial assistance program for families seeking ASCV programming and services.
• Life in the Community Conference Annual conference organized by ASCV offering paid registration, content, and community programming around life with autism in the community.
• ASCV 5K and Family Fun Day Annual 5K fundraising and community event paired with a Family Fun Day, with paid registration for participants.
• RVA Duck Race and Festival of Inclusion Annual duck-race community fundraising event paired with a Festival of Inclusion.
• ASCV Mobile App ASCV mobile application published on the iOS App Store and Google Play that connects users to ASCV information, tools, and program registration.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KidMed Pediatric Urgent CarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023First for-profit business to receive ASCV's Autism Friendly Communities designation. All four KidMed locations underwent staff training and facility upgrades to create sensory-friendly environments with dedicated rooms, sensory kits, and specialized care protocols.
• Beyond BoundariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCV partners with Beyond Boundaries to provide experiential outdoor activities including rock climbing, pontoon boat rides, scavenger hunts, fishing trips, campouts, and Spring Break Camp. Beyond Boundaries received ASCV's 2022 Mission Partner Award for their consistent program hosting.
• River City Inclusive GymcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCIG partners with ASCV to host fitness classes for adults with autism. ASCV members participate in fitness routines and programs at RCIG facilities.
• iCan ShinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCV hosted the first ever iCan Swim Program in Richmond in collaboration with iCan Shine and NOVA of Virginia Aquatics. The 5-day program helps individuals with disabilities learn water safety skills.
• Richmond City Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCV co-hosted the first Law Enforcement Safety Seminar for teens and adults with autism with the Richmond City Police Department. Event included hands-on learning, traffic stop practice, and Q&A sessions.
• Richmond International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Wings for Autism airport rehearsal program allowing families to experience the full process of air travel in a supportive environment. Included Delta Air Lines, TSA, and Delaware North.
• Collegiate SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership through The John Maloney Project, pairing neurotypical students with buddies with autism for weekly open gym. Over 30 pairs participate each spring and fall. Collegiate School received ASCV's 2023 Mission Partner Award.
• Lewis Ginter Botanical GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCV hosts annual outings and member events at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for the autism community.
• Jacob's ChancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCV partners with Jacob's Chance for athletics, enrichment, and community programs including Pickleball series. Kate Mardigian of Jacob's Chance received ASCV's 2023 Mission Exemplifier Award.
• Special Olympics VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for FitAbility Club programs providing fitness activities for individuals with autism.
• Delta Air LinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wings for Autism airport program at Richmond International Airport.
• CoStarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2023 and 2024 RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion.
• TrueTimber BackyardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Spring Break Camp and other outdoor programs.
• Art on WheelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for teen and adult art programs including mosaics, paper crafts, and embroidery sessions.
• Bridge 9 TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for improv workshops for ASCV participants.
• Apex Jiu JitsuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for FitAbility Club martial arts and fitness programming.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Largest national autism advocacy and services organization. Competes for the same donor and grant dollars as ASCV while offering broader research, advocacy, and resource navigation services to families across the autism spectrum.
• National Autism Association: National autism advocacy nonprofit focused on safety, acceptance, and support. Comparable as a member- and donor-supported nonprofit serving autistic individuals and families with educational and support resources.
• Easterseals: National disability services nonprofit providing autism and developmental disability programs. Operates local affiliates with similar service portfolios (camps, recreation, family support) and competes in overlapping geographic donor markets.
• Autism Society of America: National parent affiliate organization founded in 1965. ASCV is a local chapter of this larger federation, making it the most direct institutional peer with overlapping mission, branding, and program philosophy serving the autism community.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): National nonprofit focused on autism research and applied programs. Comparable in nonprofit structure and autism community service orientation, with overlapping grant and donor pools though differentiated by research emphasis.

Regional players

• Autism Society of Greater Virginia: Another Virginia-based regional Autism Society affiliate providing services to a different geographic area. Highly comparable in mission and service model but does not directly compete in ASCV's Central Virginia territory.

Direct peers

• Autism Society of Northern Virginia: Sibling affiliate of the national Autism Society serving the Northern Virginia region. Most directly comparable peer as a regional autism society affiliate with similar program models, donor base structure, and community-led service delivery approach.
• Special Olympics Virginia: Virginia affiliate of Special Olympics providing fitness and athletic programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Direct peer in adaptive recreation programming, currently partnering with ASCV on FitAbility Club initiatives.
• Jacob's Chance: Virginia-based nonprofit providing athletics, enrichment, and community programs for individuals with disabilities. Direct operational peer that partners with ASCV and offers overlapping inclusive recreation and social programming.

Others

• Virginia Board for People with Disabilities: Virginia state agency on disability policy, advocacy, and resource navigation. Adjacent peer in the autism ecosystem that ASCV coordinates with on advocacy, IEP/Medicaid waiver navigation, and transition-to-adulthood resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@autismsocietycentralva
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutismSocietyCentralVA
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismsocietycentralva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-autism-society-of-central-virginia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Autism Society Central Virginia