THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF OREGON

What THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF OREGON does

The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Oregon state affiliate of the national Autism Society, headquartered in Portland, Oregon with a mailing address in Marylhurst. Founded in 1984 (firmographic data cites 1980), ASO delivers a portfolio of free community services to autistic individuals and their families across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Core offerings include a statewide network of in-person and virtual support groups organized across 9 regional chapters, a searchable resource directory of autism-serving professionals, educational guides (Sensory Booklet, ASO Cookbook, Glossary, Service Animals Guide), bilingual video and webinar content, financial aid and scholarship referrals, and two signature respite programs—"Take a Break on ASO" (launched 2007, serving 3,800+ parents/guardians cumulatively) and "Take a Breather on ASO" (providing up to $100/year to autistic adults age 16+).

ASO operates a community-led go-to-market motion with no commercial sales force; all services are free to beneficiaries. The organization employs 9 staff and is funded entirely through individual donations, corporate event sponsorships (notably Walmart Platinum and Parr Cabinet Gold for 10 and 14 consecutive years respectively), affiliate-referral income from Amazon Smile and Fred Meyer Community Rewards, and proceeds from community fundraising events including Autism Walks (Portland, LaGrande, Astoria) and an Annual Golf Tournament. Approximately 80% of funds raised are deployed directly into Oregon and SW Washington programs.

There is no proprietary technology product. Service delivery is enabled through the ASO website, Zoom-based virtual meetings, and in-person community events, with strategic partners (FACT Oregon, Synergy Autism Center, The Connection Club, Oregon Family Support Network, Bridging Communities, DSP Connections) extending reach across special education navigation, clinical co-facilitation, and regional programming.

Name

THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF OREGON

Legal name

Autism Society of Oregon

Website

https://autismsocietyoregon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Autism Society of Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Oregon state affiliate of the Autism Society, providing free support groups, a resource directory, financial aid referrals, educational resources, and respite programs ("Take a Break" and "Take a Breather") to autistic individuals and families across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Nonprofit Autism Support

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Community support groups
• Respite care programs
• Disability advocacy resources
• Nonprofit family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the autism community in Oregon and SW Washington. Donations can be one-time or recurring.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors for events such as Autism Walks and the Annual Golf Tournament. Platinum sponsor Walmart has been a sponsor for 10 years; Parr Cabinet Design Center has been a Gold sponsor for 14 years.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from community events including Autism Walks (Portland, LaGrande, Astoria), Annual Golf Tournament, and other fundraising activities. All funds raised stay in Oregon and SW Washington.
4. Amazon Smile and Fred Meyer Community Rewards: ASO receives a portion of purchases when supporters designate ASO as their charity through Amazon Smile or Fred Meyer Community Rewards programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) provides free support groups, a statewide resource directory, financial aid and scholarship referrals, respite care programs (Take a Break on ASO and Take a Breather on ASO), educational materials, diagnosis guidance, and community events for autistic individuals and their families in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The organization operates as the state affiliate of the Autism Society with 9 regional chapters delivering in-person and virtual services.

Product overview

The Autism Society of Oregon is a non-profit organization providing a comprehensive suite of support services, information resources, and community programs for individuals and families affected by autism. The organization operates as a service-focused entity rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include: support groups (virtual and in-person) organized by region across Oregon for children, teens, adults, and parents; a Resource Directory of professionals and businesses serving the autistic population; financial aid and scholarship information; and specialized programs such as 'Take a Break on ASO' (respite for parents) and 'Take a Breather on ASO' (support for autistic adults). Additional services include educational video resources, diagnosis guidance for children and adults, an event calendar, autism walks, and an annual golf tournament fundraiser. The organization does not offer software products, APIs, or AI/ML-powered technology solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Take a Break on ASO A free respite care program for parents, foster parents, and legal guardians of autistic individuals in Oregon and SW Washington, providing a $25 restaurant gift certificate, 2 movie tickets or a $20 streaming gift card, and up to 4 hours of respite care (a $72 value).
• Take a Breather on ASO A program providing up to $100 per year to autistic adults (age 16+) in Oregon and SW Washington to facilitate a break of their choice, including movie tickets, museums, restaurants, hobby materials, sensory items, gym memberships, books, art supplies, athletic events, and short vacations.
• Support Groups A network of in-person and virtual support groups for children, teens, and adults who are autistic or have autistic loved ones, organized by region across Oregon in 9 regional chapters and statewide virtual meetings.
• Resource Directory A searchable directory of hundreds of businesses and professionals serving the autistic population in Oregon and SW Washington, including counselors, therapists, doctors, attorneys, and service providers, categorized by county and type.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships Information and referral service for college scholarships, iPad funding, weighted blankets, and grants from external organizations including ACT Today, ASDF, Schwallie Family Scholarship, and others.
• Autism Walks Annual community fundraising and awareness events including the Portland Autism Walk, Color the Blues (LaGrande), and Color the Coast (Astoria), celebrating people on the autism spectrum.
• Annual Golf Tournament An annual fundraising golf tournament held at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club supporting ASO programs statewide.
• ASO-Sponsored Support and Social Groups Specialized virtual and in-person support groups including Friendship Group for Autistic Kids, Supported Teen & Young Adult Club, Women & Non-Binary Friendship Groups, Intersectional Identity Group, Support and Discussion Groups for Autistic Adults, Autistic Professional Support Group, and Parents groups.
• Diagnosis Information Resources Guides explaining the difference between educational and medical autism evaluations, the process for obtaining diagnoses for children and adults, and insurance coverage information.
• Adult Diagnosis Support Resources for adults seeking autism evaluation through private practitioners, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or Developmental Disability Services, including what to expect from the diagnostic process.
• Guides and Tips Educational materials including a Sensory Booklet, ASO Cookbook, Service Animals Resource Guide, and Glossary of commonly used autism-related terms and acronyms, available in English and Spanish.
• Event Calendar A comprehensive calendar of events including support groups, social activities, workshops, and fundraisers across Oregon, with options to subscribe via Google Calendar, iCalendar, or Outlook.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,800 families served through Take a Break program since 2007

Named customers2 records

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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DSP ConnectionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor for the Take a Breather on ASO program for 2026, providing financial support for the program offering up to $100 per autistic adult per year for breaks.
• FACT OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for free navigation help in navigating the special education system. FACT Oregon provides guidance to families seeking educational services for autistic children.
• The Connection ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community events and programs including Fun with Legos, Game Nights, Dinner and a Movie, Art at the Park, and A Day at OMSI events throughout Oregon.
• Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsorship of support groups and family programs including Family Connections Support Group, Fatherhood Unfiltered, and various parent support groups.
• Bridging CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for events in Southern Oregon including All Together Playgroup in Medford and All-Ability Gaming Socials in Ashland.
• DSP ConnectionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for sensory-friendly movies in Salem, providing support for accessible community events.
• WalmartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of Autism Walk in Portland for 10 consecutive years. Walmart donates based on number of employees who volunteer at ASO's Autism Walk.
• Parr Cabinet Design CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of ASO's Autism Walk for 14 years, being the longest-running sponsor.
• Blue Sprig, Centria Healthcare, Kids NW, Positive Behavior Supports CorpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsors of Autism Walk in Portland 2021.
• Northwest Community Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend sponsor of Autism Walk in Portland 2021.
• Empowered ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for sensory-friendly movies in Eugene.
• Oregon Parks ForeverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor covering parking fees at Tryon Creek Nature Center for registered attendees of guided nature walks.
• Synergy Autism CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-facilitation of online parent support group meetings, with Barbara Avila, MS, facilitating monthly ASO/Synergy Autism Support Group meetings for parents.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Central Oregon Autism Network: Regional autism nonprofit serving Central Oregon with support groups, resources, and events. Comparable in mission and operational model to ASO, but with a sub-state geographic focus that partially overlaps ASO's central Oregon reach.
• Disability Rights Oregon: Oregon's federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities including autism. Comparable in Oregon geography and overlap on disability-related advocacy, but operates on a legal-rights model rather than direct services.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Largest national autism advocacy and research nonprofit. Comparable in mission (autism resources, advocacy, family support) and competes with ASO for the same donor dollars, but operates at national rather than state scale.
• The Arc Oregon: Oregon state chapter of The Arc, focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism. Comparable in mission, Oregon footprint, advocacy focus, and family support services.
• Easterseals Oregon: Oregon affiliate of Easterseals, a national disability services nonprofit. Comparable in mission (disability services and family support), Oregon geography, and nonprofit donation-funded model, though broader than autism alone.
• Autism Society of America (national): The national parent organization of which ASO is a state affiliate. Provides national advocacy, resources, and a network of state chapters with overlapping mission in autism support, education, and advocacy.

Direct peers

• Autism Society of California: Another state-level Autism Society affiliate operating an analogous model of regional chapters, support groups, resource directories, and statewide events. The most direct structural comparable to ASO.
• Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN): Oregon statewide family support organization for families of children with behavioral, mental health, or developmental challenges. Directly comparable as a current co-sponsor of ASO's parent support groups.
• FACT Oregon: Oregon-based nonprofit providing special education navigation and family support for children with disabilities including autism. Directly comparable in mission and Oregon geography, and a current strategic partner of ASO.

Emerging players

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): National autistic-led nonprofit providing advocacy, policy work, and community resources for autistic people. Comparable in serving autistic adults and offering support/community resources, but with a self-advocacy rather than caregiver-centric orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/autismsocietyoregon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-autism-society-of-oregon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF OREGON