Forum for autism
Forum for Autism is a Mumbai-based nonprofit public trust (founded 2001) that provides advocacy, awareness, and a parent–professional support network for families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, funded primarily through donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Forum for autism does
Forum for Autism (FFA) is a Mumbai-based public trust and society registered in 2001 to support families and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Its core offering is not a product but a community-driven service platform: an established knowledge network of parents, doctors, therapists, and special educators that families can access for guidance, advocacy, and peer support. FFA also runs awareness campaigns (e.g., displays at CST railway station, Run for Autism, World Autism Awareness Day events), sponsors 14 children for schooling and therapy at a total cost of Rs. 28,500 per month, and convenes medical panels such as the Hinduja Hospital discussion on stem cell therapy. It does not build or sell any technology product; its website is a WordPress informational blog.
FFA's go-to-market is community-led, relying on organic social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube), earned media (The Hindu, Times of India, Hindustan Times, DNA India), events, and a small set of strategic corporate partnerships — notably with J.P. Morgan and SAP India for placing autistic adults in jobs, and with CISCO and Yellow Chilli as employer/training partners. The organization is led by President and founder Parul Kumtha, with a parent-trustee board and an advisory committee. Its operations are geographically concentrated in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Revenue is generated almost entirely through donations from individuals and organizations, accepted via cheque, CCAVENUE online gateway, NEFT through an HDFC Bank account, or via United Way of Mumbai. The minimum donation is Rs. 1,000. No funding rounds, grants, corporate CSR amounts, or audited financials are disclosed. Given 5 staff, donation-only inflows, and the scale of the sponsorship program, annual revenue is estimated at well under $1 million.
Forum for autism firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forum for autism
- Legal name
- Forum for Autism
- Website
- https://forumforautism.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Forum for Autism is a Mumbai-based nonprofit public trust (founded 2001) that provides advocacy, awareness, and a parent–professional support network for families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, funded primarily through donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forum for autism industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autism Advocacy and Family Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG)
Keywords
Where Forum for autism is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Forum for autism business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: FFA raises funds through donations from individuals and organizations. The minimum donation amount is Rs. 1000. Donations can be made via cheque or online through their secure payment gateway (CCAVENUE).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Donation-based support model |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Forum for autism product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forum for Autism is a public trust that serves as a parent body providing expert guidance, family support, and advocacy for families and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It maintains a knowledge network connecting parents and professionals, organizes awareness campaigns, runs events such as Felicitation programs, sponsors children's schooling and therapy, and facilitates employment for adults with autism through corporate partnerships.
Product overview
Forum for Autism is a non-profit public trust organization established in 2001 that serves as a parent body to support families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The organization does not offer a technology product; rather, it provides advocacy services, educational resources, expert guidance networks, family support programs, awareness campaigns, and community events. The website functions as an informational WordPress blog rather than a software product or platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Family Support and Expert Guidance Network
- Educational Sponsorship Program
- Employment Facilitation for Adults with Autism
- Advocacy for SSC Concessions
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully advocated for SSC concessions for children with autism (2007-2010)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Forum for autism
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Forum for autism technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Forum for autism partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Veruschka FoundationcoreJoint organization of 'Cook for Change Challenge' - a cooking competition for individuals with autism. Veruschka Foundation and FFA collaborated to showcase talent, with judges including Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The competition was aired on TV (ABP Majha).
- J.P. MorgancoreCorporate partner offering internships to Mumbai youngsters with autism. After training, interns have opportunity to get absorbed in the company. J.P. Morgan employee Mihir Kapse (who has autism) served as Chief Guest at FFA Felicitation 2018.
- SAP IndiacoreEmploys autistic individuals including Viraj Bhatt who works in Bengaluru. Featured as success story for employment of adults with autism.
- Yellow Chilli RestaurantsminorRestaurant chain providing internship and training opportunities to individuals with autism. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor offers short stints at TV shows and workshops, and has run Mumbai Marathon for FFA for 10 years.
- CISCOminorEmploys an individual with ASD who shared work experience. Example of corporate inclusion in technology sector.
- Hinduja HospitalcoreHosted FFA panel discussion on stem cell treatment effectiveness for autism. Also approved survey for tracking ASD children post-diagnosis.
- Runners AcademyminorCollaborated with FFA to organize 'Run for Autism' at Chikoowadi Playground, Borivali to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day.
- Kshitij, Anchorage, Arpan, Sols Arc, Together FoundationminorOrganizations that FFA engages with to ensure opportunities for young adults beyond schooling years, creating job placement ecosystem.
- United Way of MumbaiminorDonations can be made payable to 'United Way of Mumbai' as one option for supporting FFA's work with autistic children.
- HDFC BankminorBank account held at HDFC Branch Sandoz House, Worli, Mumbai for NEFT donations. Account: 0240 10000 99511, IFSC: HDFC0000240
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Forum for autism competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Action for Autism: Delhi-based national not-for-profit working on autism awareness, education, and advocacy in India. Direct peer in mission and beneficiary population, and explicitly cited in the FFA data as the source of India's autism prevalence statistic.
- Tamana: India-based nonprofit working on disability inclusion, special education, and skill development for persons with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Direct peer in serving autistic individuals and families in India with a broader service portfolio.
Regional players
- Arpan (NGO): Indian NGO focused on child safety, life skills, and inclusion, including work touching children with disabilities. Comparable in the Indian nonprofit/child-services space and named as one of FFA's partner organizations for adult transitions.
Broad incumbents
- National Autistic Society: One of the oldest and largest autism charities globally, offering information, services, and policy advocacy. Comparable to FFA in mission (family support, advocacy, awareness) but operates at national scale in the UK with far broader programs and funding.
- Autism Speaks: US-based large-scale autism advocacy and services organization with global awareness campaigns. Comparable to FFA in advocacy and awareness remit, but at vastly greater scale, brand recognition, and fundraising capacity.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forum for autism social profiles
Digital presenceForum for autism financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forum for autism leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Forum for autism funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forum for autism M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forum for autism
What does Forum for autism do?
Forum for Autism is a public trust that serves as a parent body providing expert guidance, family support, and advocacy for families and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It maintains a knowledge network connecting parents and professionals, organizes awareness campaigns, runs events such as Felicitation programs, sponsors children's schooling and therapy, and facilitates employment for adults with autism through corporate partnerships.
Is Forum for autism a public or private company?
Forum for autism is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Forum for autism founded?
Forum for autism was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Forum for autism based?
Forum for autism is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Forum for autism make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations.
Who are Forum for autism's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Action for Autism and Tamana. Arpan (NGO) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are National Autistic Society and Autism Speaks.
Does Forum for autism have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forum for autism.
What industry is Forum for autism in?
Forum for autism's product category is Autism Advocacy and Family Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAKAJ, Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked), with a secondary code of EDAKAKAL, Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.