Autism Society of Ohio

What Autism Society of Ohio does

Autism Society of Ohio (ASO) is a private nonprofit organization headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, and the statewide affiliate of the Autism Society of America, the oldest and largest grassroots autism organization in the United States. Note: the input data shows conflicting founding information — firmographics lists 2016, while company_history indicates the parent Autism Society of America was founded in 1965 with ASO's own incorporation date unspecified. ASO operates as a coalition of six regional affiliates (Central Ohio, Greater Akron, Dayton, Greater Cleveland, Mahoning Valley, and Northwest Ohio) that collectively cover 100% of Ohio's 88 counties, with ASO providing direct programmatic support to 35+ counties without an affiliate presence. The organization serves more than 15,000 Ohio families and individuals affected by autism through free information and referral services, virtual and in-person support groups, inclusive family events, advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Hill, and small programming grants of up to $750 for grassroots initiatives in underserved areas.

ASO's technology footprint is intentionally minimal: a WordPress-based website (autismohio.org), Constant Contact for monthly newsletters, and Zoom or similar platforms for virtual support groups and webinars. There is no proprietary software product, no mobile app, no API, and no AI component. The platform architecture is essentially a digital communication layer over a human-services delivery model executed through the regional affiliates.

ASO's revenue model is donation-driven. Streams include individual and corporate donations, third-party Facebook and Instagram fundraisers, the Autism Awareness License Plate program (a $35 annual fee with a $25 tax-deductible portion remitted to ASO via the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles), Printful-based online merchandise sales, and modest programming grants. Membership is free, most programs are offered at no cost or on a subsidized basis, and the organization is governed by a Board of Directors and supported heavily by volunteers. There is no venture funding, no equity structure, and no disclosed financial statements in the source data; ASO is sustained by its coalition structure, its national brand affiliation, and grassroots donor participation across Ohio.

Name

Autism Society of Ohio

Legal name

Autism Society of Ohio

Website

https://autismohio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Autism Society of Ohio is a Worthington-based nonprofit and statewide affiliate of the Autism Society of America, operating a coalition of six regional affiliates that deliver free information-and-referral, family support, and advocacy services to more than 15,000 Ohio families affected by autism.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Autism advocacy services
• Information referral support
• Disability family programs
• Nonprofit coalition support
• Community support groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus (Central Ohio Affiliate)

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

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 Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on individual donations, corporate donations, and third-party fundraising events to support programs and operational costs. Facebook and Instagram fundraisers are accepted through their verified Meta charity status.
2. Autism Awareness License Plates: Ohio residents can purchase Autism Awareness License Plates for $35, with $25 of the annual fee being a tax-deductible donation to ASO. Funds are directed back to local autism community needs statewide.
3. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online merchandise shop through Printful, where items help fund vital programs, services, and advocacy efforts for the autism community in Ohio.
4. Programming Grants: ASO offers programming grants of up to $750 to empower local initiatives in areas without affiliate coverage, enabling grassroots efforts and community-driven solutions.
5. Membership (Free): Information and services are open to anyone with an interest in autism at no cost. Complete the contact form to be included in communications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Autism Society of Ohio is a nonprofit coalition organization that delivers free information and referral services, family support programs (monthly support groups, Camp F.R.I.E.N.D., Social Connections), legislative advocacy, programming grants (up to $750), and inclusive community events for individuals with autism and their families across Ohio. Operations span a statewide coalition of six regional affiliates covering all 88 Ohio counties, supported by donations, fundraising, license plate proceeds, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Autism Society of Ohio is a nonprofit coalition organization that provides advocacy, information and referral services, programming grants, and community support for individuals with autism and their families across Ohio. The organization does not offer a technology product; instead, it provides human services including resource navigation, family support programs, volunteer coordination, fundraising support, an Autism Awareness License Plate program, and various community events. Services are delivered through a network of six regional affiliates covering all Ohio counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Information & Referral Services
• ASO Parent Connections Virtual Support Group
• Monthly In-Person Support Groups (Parents, Moms Night Out, Dads Night Out)
• Camp F.R.I.E.N.D.
• Social Connections Program
• Legislative Advocacy Program Advocacy work at the local, state, and federal levels including the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Hill, with active efforts on Medicaid protection and policy influence affecting the autism community.
• Programming Grants (up to $750) Financial assistance grants of up to $750 awarded by ASO to empower local autism initiatives and grassroots efforts in Ohio counties without affiliate coverage.
• Autism Awareness License Plate Program Specialty Ohio license plate available to Ohio residents at all BMV locations for a $35 annual fee, with $25 of the fee constituting a tax-deductible donation to ASO directed to advocacy, family support, and programming by ASO and local affiliates statewide.
• Autism Society of Ohio Merchandise Shop Online store of branded merchandise fulfilled via Printful, with proceeds funding ASO's programs, services, and advocacy efforts.
• Free Membership Program Free membership open to anyone with an interest in autism, providing access to ASO communications, newsletters, and information services at no cost.
• Step Into Autism Walks and Community Fundraising Events Community awareness and fundraising walks, inclusive family events, and webinars on topics such as planning for the future, organized by ASO and its regional affiliates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves more than 15,000 families across Ohio
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCALI is featured as a community partner on the ASO website. The organization focuses on autism and low incidence disabilities, providing resources, certification programs, and advocacy support. ASO collaborates with OCALI on initiatives like the ASD Strategies in Action Certification and ASD Basic Introduction for Families.
• Branches of Behavior, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranches of Behavior, LLC is ASO's partner for the ASO Parent Connections virtual support group. Megan Kavinsky, Mental Health Counselor at Branches of Behavior, LLC in Hilliard, Ohio, facilitates the monthly virtual parent and caregiver support group. This partnership provides mental health expertise to support families in the autism community.
• Autism Society of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASO is the statewide affiliate of the Autism Society of America, the oldest and largest grassroots autism organization nationally. This affiliation provides ASO with access to nationwide network resources, advocacy infrastructure, toll-free phone support, and a free online information and referral database serving over half a million people per year nationwide.
• Ohio County Boards of Developmental DisabilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with county boards across Ohio for family support and resource referral. County boards serve as local points of contact for individuals with developmental disabilities including autism, and ASO works with them to provide comprehensive support services.
• Special Olympics OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting athletic programs for individuals with autism including gymnastics, swimming, and bocce. Special Olympics provides opportunities for skill development, socialization, and competitive athletics for autistic individuals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: One of the largest national autism advocacy and research organizations in the U.S., offering family services, advocacy, and grantmaking. Broader scope and larger budget than ASO but comparable in the family-services and advocacy dimension.
• Autism Society of America: National parent organization of ASO, founded in 1965. It is the oldest and largest grassroots autism organization in the U.S., serving over half a million people annually through a similar information-and-referral and advocacy model at the national level.
• National Autism Association: National nonprofit focused on autism advocacy, family support, and safety initiatives. Comparable in mission to ASO but operates at the national level with a different funding model.

Direct peers

• Autism Society of California: California state affiliate of the Autism Society of America, operating under the same affiliate model as ASO with regional chapters, information-and-referral services, advocacy, and family support. Directly comparable in structure and mission to ASO.
• Autism Society of Texas: Texas state affiliate of the Autism Society of America offering statewide advocacy, family support, and information/referral services. Directly comparable organizational structure to ASO.
• Autism Society of Wisconsin: Wisconsin state affiliate of the Autism Society of America providing information and referral, advocacy, and family programming at the state level. Comparable structure and mission to ASO.
• Autism Society of Indiana: Indiana state affiliate of the Autism Society of America providing information and referral, family support, and advocacy across Indiana. Closely comparable structure and scale to ASO as a neighboring Midwest state affiliate.
• Autism Society of Florida: Florida state affiliate of the Autism Society of America providing advocacy, I&R, and family support programs through regional affiliates. Closely comparable to ASO in operating model and service breadth.

Emerging players

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): National disability rights and autism advocacy organization led by autistic individuals. Comparable to ASO in advocacy and information-sharing but differentiated by self-advocacy orientation and absence of family-support services.

Regional players

• Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI): Ohio-based organization providing autism resources, professional development, and certification programs. A direct strategic partner of ASO and a comparable regional player in Ohio's autism ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autism-society-of-ohio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Autism Society of Ohio