Forum for autism

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.

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

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

• Autism support services
• Disability advocacy
• Family support services
• Special education support
• Autism awareness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers7 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Veruschka FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2017Joint 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. MorgancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate 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 IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmploys autistic individuals including Viraj Bhatt who works in Bengaluru. Featured as success story for employment of adults with autism.
• Yellow Chilli RestaurantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant 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.
• CISCOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmploys an individual with ASD who shared work experience. Example of corporate inclusion in technology sector.
• Hinduja HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted FFA panel discussion on stem cell treatment effectiveness for autism. Also approved survey for tracking ASD children post-diagnosis.
• Runners AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated with FFA to organize 'Run for Autism' at Chikoowadi Playground, Borivali to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day.
• Kshitij, Anchorage, Arpan, Sols Arc, Together FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizations that FFA engages with to ensure opportunities for young adults beyond schooling years, creating job placement ecosystem.
• United Way of MumbaiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonations can be made payable to 'United Way of Mumbai' as one option for supporting FFA's work with autistic children.
• HDFC BankminorOthersBank 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/Forum4Autism
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFXmfYakJcB-4oSVBDcPFKw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forum-for-autism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Forum for autism