Autism Home Base

What Autism Home Base does

Autism Home Base (legally Autism Home Base Durham Inc.) is a registered Canadian charity (#81352 5797RR0001) founded in 2012 that operates a community hub for autistic adults (aged 18 and over) and their families in Durham Region, Ontario. The organization delivers recreational, social, life-skills, and caregiver-support programs through two owned physical facilities in Bowmanville—the 3,500 sq ft main drop-in centre (The Hub) at 132 Church Street and the teaching-kitchen and sensory facility (The Studio) at 23 Scugog Street—supplemented by programming at municipal venues across Bowmanville, Ajax, Newcastle, Whitby, and Oshawa. The organization operates without core government funding and maintains a research partnership with Trent University that has produced multiple program-evaluation reports validating its impact on member well-being and social connection.

The service portfolio spans weekly drop-in programming, a 12-week cooking series (Autism Cooks), sports and active recreation (swimming, boxing, bowling), arts programs (Improv, Arts Connects, Bingo & Karaoke), life-skills curricula (PEERS, Living Well, Money Works, Get Organized), a fully-staffed Summer Palooza ($360 for 8 weeks), Community Respite Mornings ($120 for 12 weeks), and a highly-individualized Possibilities program. Family membership is priced at $150 for the first year and $100 for annual renewal, and the organization also generates enterprise revenue through LEAP (Lived Experience Autism Perspective) workshops at $300 per session ($150 for non-profits) and Zen Den sensory-space rentals starting at $800 per day.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining membership subscriptions, program fees, individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, signature fundraising events (Polar Bear Swim, Angels Walk/Run, Charity Golf Tournament), and volunteer-based bingo operations at partner gaming halls. The organization serves approximately 200+ member participants annually and operates with a lean staff of 9 employees plus a volunteer Board of Directors under CEO Judy Hanson. Distribution is delivered in-person across Durham Region venues and through a MindBody-powered member portal, with no proprietary technology platform of significance.

Name

Autism Home Base

Legal name

Autism Home Base Durham Inc.

Website

https://autismhomebase.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Autism Home Base is a registered Canadian charity providing recreational, social, life-skills, and caregiver-support programs for autistic adults (18+) and their families in Durham Region, Ontario. It operates two physical community facilities and runs LEAP training workshops for businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowmanville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Family membership fees provide recurring annual revenue. First year membership is $150, renews annually at $100 per family.
2. Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals and corporate sponsors. Organization receives no core government funding and depends on donations for sustainability.
3. Event Revenue: Registration fees from annual events including Polar Bear Swim ($40 per participant) and Charity Golf Tournament ($250 per player, $900 per foursome, $1500 for hole sponsorship with foursome).
4. Program Fees: Fees for signature programs including Summer Palooza ($360 for 8-week program) and Community Respite Mornings ($120 for 12-week programs).
5. LEAP Workshops: Lived Experience Autism Perspective training workshops for businesses and organizations - $300 per workshop ($150 for non-profits).
6. Bingo Operations: Revenue generated through bingo volunteer operations at Red Barn Bingo Hall in Oshawa and Delta Bingo Gaming in Pickering, which delivers programs to member families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Autism Home Base operates two physical community facilities in Bowmanville, Ontario — The Hub (3,500 sq ft drop-in and program space) and The Studio (teaching kitchen and low-sensory facility) — and delivers a coordinated suite of social, recreational, life-skills, and caregiver programs for autistic adults (18+) and their families across Durham Region. Programs include drop-in access, weekly sports and arts programs, multi-week cooking and life-learning courses, seasonal summer programs, paid respite mornings, and the LEAP (Lived Experience Autism Perspective) workplace training workshops. Membership is structured at $150 first year and $100 annual renewal per family.

Product overview

Autism Home Base is a community organization offering a coordinated suite of programs and facilities for Autistic adults (18+) and their families in Durham Region, Ontario. The core offerings center on two physical spaces: The Hub (3,500 sq ft gathering space in Bowmanville) and The Studio (teaching kitchen and low-sensory facility). These facilities support a comprehensive membership program ($150 first year, $100 annual renewal) that provides access to diverse programming including arts, sports, cooking, life skills, and social activities. Key programs include Drop-In, Sports & Active (Gym & Swim, Boxing, Bowling), Arts Expressions (Improv, Arts Connects, Bingo & Karaoke), Autism Cooks (12-week cooking classes), Life Learning (PEERS, Living Well), Summer Palooza (8-week summer program), Community Respite Mornings, and Possibilities (individualized social program). Additional services include Zen Den Rental for sensory-friendly event spaces and LEAP Workshops for service providers. The organization also hosts signature events including Polar Bear Swim, World Autism Day, Angels Walk/Run, and Charity Golf Tournament.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEAP (Lived Experience Autism Perspective): A 90-minute interactive workshop developed in collaboration with autistic self-advocates to support teams in understanding and serving the neurodivergent community. Offered as in-person, virtual, or e-learning options for $300 (or $150 for non-profits).
• Zen Den

Products and services

• Angels Walk/Run (Annual Event) Annual Autisms Angels family walk/run event that has raised over $337,000 to date for local charities including Autism Home Base.
• Family Membership Annual family membership offering voting privileges at annual members meetings, monthly newsletter access, drop-in centre access, and participation in free weekly, monthly, and seasonal programs for autistic adults (18+) and their family members.
• The Hub 3,500 square foot community gathering space in Bowmanville featuring a self-serve kitchen, large program space, interactive gaming wall, exergaming equipment, 15-foot projector screen, low-sensory Zen Den, video and board games, and a cozy fireplace. Open weekdays for drop-in.
• The Studio Two-floor raised bungalow in Bowmanville with teaching kitchens, laundry facilities, and low-sensory gathering areas. Main floor has accessible prep and cooking areas; underground area has a coffee bar, low sensory gathering space, and multi-seat Zen Den.
• Summer Palooza 8-week paid summer program grouping participants by interests and independence level for a full day of activities one day per week. Fully staffed, transfer of care program for participants with support needs.
• Community Respite Mornings 12-week paid programs offering 2 hours each weekday with themed mornings including Music, Art, and Multi-sport options for members to get active and share new experiences with paid support workers or family caregivers.
• Autism Cooks 12-week cooking programs for autistic adults and their family caregivers including Bake & Take, Breakfast Club, Simple to Spectacular Meals, Healthy Bites, Cooking With Friends, Chop It Like It's Hot, and Supper Club.
• LEAP Workshops (Lived Experience Autism Perspective) 90-minute interactive training workshops developed with autistic self-advocates to help businesses, service providers, employers, and first responders better understand and serve the neurodivergent community. Offered in-person or virtually.
• Zen Den Rental Sensory-friendly space rental for conferences or community events, featuring quiet, safe environments for autistic and neurodivergent participants. Per day rentals start at $800 with multi-day rates, indoor or outdoor tent styles, delivery, setup and pack up included.
• Life Learning Programs 12-week programs offered seasonally on demand including PEERS (friendship and social skills), Living Well (negative thinking patterns), Success in the Workplace, Money Works, Get Organized, and Knowledge Exchange Symposium.
• Possibilities Program Highly individualized social program supporting autistic adults to explore community, discover new interests, enhance independence, and find friendships beyond their circle of family support.
• Polar Bear Swim (Annual Event) Annual community fundraising event held in Clarington with a $40 per participant registration fee. Last year raised over $37,000 with 285+ supporters participating.
• Charity Golf Tournament (Annual Event) Annual fundraising golf tournament with individual player ($250), foursome ($900), and hole sponsorship + foursome ($1,500) tiers. Includes breakfast, 18 holes with shotgun start, beverage cart, food stations, and dinner.
• Caregiver Support & Mentorship Programs Programs including Pickleball Pals, Global Chefs pilot, Batch Cooking (monthly), and Care 2 Share virtual mentorship program pairing experienced senior parent mentors with younger caregivers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 member participants engaged in programs annually
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 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 major and core.

• Autism Alliance CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational autism alliance organization; Autism Home Base is a proud member providing voice for autism community.
• Community Living OntariomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial organization supporting community inclusion; partner organization.
• Trent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that has conducted program evaluations and research reports including Caregivers 55+ Social & Wellness Practices Report (2022), Peer Pairing Program Evaluation Report (2020), and Community Programs Impact Report (2018).
• Unity for AutismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutism-focused organization partnership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Autism Ontario: Provincial autism advocacy and member-services organization serving autistic individuals and families across Ontario. Directly comparable as a member-driven Ontario autism support nonprofit offering programs, resources, and community connection.
• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario-based autism services organization offering residential, community, and recreational supports across the lifespan. Comparable as a large-scale Ontario autism nonprofit providing community-based programming to autistic adults.
• Geneva Centre for Autism: Toronto-based autism services organization offering programs for autistic children, youth, and adults. Comparable as a community-based autism nonprofit delivering social, recreational, and life-skills programming.
• SAAAC Autism Centre: Toronto-based autism center serving a diverse community with programs across the lifespan. Comparable as a community-driven autism nonprofit focused on social and cultural programming for autistic individuals and families.
• Sinneave Family Foundation: Canadian foundation focused on improving post-18 transitions and quality of life for autistic youth and adults. Comparable as a Canadian autism-focused organization addressing the same adult-transition and community-inclusion space.
• Community Living Ontario: Provincial federation supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Ontario. Listed as an Autism Home Base partner; comparable as a community-based Ontario disability services nonprofit.
• Autism Alliance Canada: National autism alliance of which Autism Home Base is a member organization. Comparable as a Canadian autism umbrella/community organization representing the autism community nationally.

Regional players

• Pacific Autism Family Network: British Columbia-based autism services network providing programs and resources to autistic individuals and families across the lifespan. Comparable as a regional Canadian autism organization with similar lifespan programming focus, but serving a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks Canada: Canadian arm of a major North American autism advocacy and services organization. Comparable as a broad autism-focused nonprofit with overlapping community-connection and advocacy missions, but operating at significantly larger scale.
• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Toronto-based children's rehabilitation hospital with autism programming and research. Comparable as a major Canadian autism services provider, though primarily serving children rather than the adult population Autism Home Base focuses on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/autismhomebase
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2_4474p9h1TgASY8euI2oA
• Facebookfacebook.com/autismhomebase
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/home-base-durham
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismhomebase

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 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 Autism Home Base