Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

What Autism Foundation of Oklahoma does

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, operating with a staff of 1–10 under EIN 27-2940151. Its mission is to serve Oklahomans with autism across the lifespan through a multi-program portfolio that combines direct service, training, advocacy, and a small product line. Core offerings include the AFO Sensory Kit (a $65 curated kit of noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, picture communication cards in English and Spanish, fidget items, and other self-regulation tools, with over 1,000 distributed nationwide to healthcare providers, law enforcement, educators, and individuals), employer-facing training programs (LEAD: Neurodiversity in the Workplace and Partners in Success — both SHRM-credit-eligible and free to participants), the Autism-Friendly Business Certification (credentialing 10 Oklahoma venues), statewide social programming for neurodivergent adults in OKC and Tulsa, childcare provider training (2,000+ providers trained), first-responder and healthcare-provider training, safety initiatives (Project: Safe Stop, Blue Envelope Program, Statewide Autism Crisis Resource Guide), the Inclusive Job Board at AutismJobBoard.org, and the award-winning Surviving the Spectrum documentary produced entirely by neurodivergent creators.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit structure. The largest streams are tax-deductible individual donations and foundation grants, including a $25,000 grant from the Gaylord Family Foundation in February 2026 for Oklahoma County expansion, federal funding via U.S. Department of Education grant H421E230012 supporting Partners in Success, and research support from the Potts Family Foundation for Know & Grow Oklahoma. A permanent endowment at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is matched by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, effectively doubling donor impact. Ancillary commercial revenue comes from AFO Sensory Kit unit sales ($65 per kit with bulk institutional pricing), ticketed social events ($10 per person for events like the AFO Riversport Social), and ad hoc program fees. Programs are distributed directly through the AFO website, third-party platforms (Eventbrite, Zoom, OSDE Connect Canvas LMS), in-person events across Oklahoma cities, and institutional channels reaching national buyers for sensory kits.

AFO holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, a Charity Navigator 4-Star rating, GreatNonprofits Top-Rated status, and Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits membership, and operates under a community-led go-to-market model anchored by self-advocate voices, statewide advocacy days at the Oklahoma State Capitol, and the Unmasking Autism AFO podcast. Its customer base spans four primary segments: individuals with autism and their families, neurodivergent adults, Oklahoma employers and businesses, and healthcare/first-responder/educator institutions, supported by a secondary base of individual donors, family foundations, and corporate sponsors.

Name

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

Legal name

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

Website

https://autismfoundationok.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 in Oklahoma City that delivers lifespan autism services across Oklahoma — including the AFO Sensory Kit product, employer neurodiversity training (LEAD, Partners in Success), business certification, social events for neurodivergent adults, and statewide training for childcare providers, healthcare workers, and first responders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Disability advocacy programs
• Neurodiversity workplace training
• Sensory support products
• Nonprofit education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on tax-deductible donations from individuals and families. Donations are accepted online through its website and via the Oklahoma City Community Foundation's endowment fund, which is matched by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.
2. Sensory Kit Sales: AFO sells its Sensory Kit for $65.00 per unit through its online shop, with bulk-ordering options for schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, businesses, and public agencies. Each purchase supports AFO's mission.
3. Social Event Fees: AFO charges a $10.00 fee for social events such as the AFO Riversport Social, which includes white water rafting and lunch at Riversport in OKC.
4. Endowment Fund: A permanent endowment fund established at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation supports AFO's mission in perpetuity, with donations matched by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: AFO receives grant funding from organizations such as the Gaylord Family Foundation ($25,000 grant in 2026 to expand services in Oklahoma County) to fund specific programmatic expansions, staffing, partnerships, and material development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers lifespan autism support services across Oklahoma, including sensory kit products, employer neurodiversity training (LEAD, Partners in Success), autism-friendly business certification, healthcare and first responder training, parent/caregiver education, community social events, advocacy at the state capitol, safety programs (Project: Safe Stop, Blue Envelope), and a statewide crisis resource guide. Its funding comes primarily from donations, grants, endowment income, kit sales, and event fees.

Product overview

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services designed to serve individuals with autism across their lifespan. The organization operates as a multi-program nonprofit with distinct offerings including: sensory support products (AFO Sensory Kit, Free Vehicle Safety Resources), employment and workplace programs (LEAD: Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Partners in Success, Autism-Friendly Business Certification, Inclusive Job Board), social and community events (Neurodivergent Adults of OKC, Neurodivergent Individuals of Tulsa, AFO Riversport Social, Mix 'n Mingle), training and education (Child Care Provider Training, Parent/Caregiver Classes, Training for Healthcare Providers, Training for First Responders), safety programs (Project: Safe Stop, Safety Nights, Blue Envelope Program, Statewide Autism Crisis Resource Guide), advocacy events (Autism Advocacy Day), conferences (Inclusive Communication Conference), media productions (Surviving the Spectrum documentary, Unmasking Autism AFO podcast), and awareness campaigns (COVID-19 Pandemic Resources, Suicide Awareness and Prevention). The organization also conducts research partnerships and provides various educational resources through its website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEAD (Learn Earn Advance Develop): Neurodiversity training program for inclusive employers, teaching benefits of hiring individuals with autism and I/DD, how to attract and interview neurodiverse candidates, and foster inclusive work environments.
• Surviving the Spectrum
• Partners in Success
• Autism-Friendly Business Certification
• AFO Sensory Kits

Products and services

• AFO Sensory Kit
• AFO Riversport Social
• LEAD: Neurodiversity in the Workplace
• Partners in Success
• Autism-Friendly Business Certification
• Parent/Caregiver Classes
• Child Care Provider Training
• Training for Healthcare Providers
• Training for First Responders & Law Enforcement
• Project: Safe Stop
• Blue Envelope Program
• Statewide Autism Crisis Resource Guide
• Autism Advocacy Day
• Inclusive Communication Conference
• Surviving the Spectrum (Documentary)
• Inclusive Job Board (AutismJobBoard.org)
• Autism-Friendly Business Training Program
• Mix 'n Mingle

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 childcare providers trained in autism-informed care
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Plan Your Way OKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlan Your Way OK is AFO's key partner in the Partners in Success employer workshop program. The partnership combines AFO's neurodiversity expertise with Plan Your Way OK's transition and employment knowledge to help businesses build successful alliances with Oklahoma schools for training and hiring students with disabilities.
• Oklahoma District Attorney's CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFO developed the Statewide Autism Crisis Resource Guide in partnership with the Oklahoma District Attorney's Council. This comprehensive guide serves autistic children, youth, adults, and their families across Oklahoma during mental health crises, and is also used by law enforcement and first responders.
• Parent PromiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFO collaborated with Parent Promise as one of fifteen Community Contractors in the Know & Grow Oklahoma initiative led by the Potts Family Foundation, gathering community information from around the state.
• Children's Behavioral Health Partnership of TulsaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with AFO on the 2022 Oklahoma Childcare and Autism Needs Assessment, helping inform the statewide understanding of service gaps for children with autism.
• Down Syndrome Association of OklahomamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFO co-hosts the annual Inclusive Communication Conference with the Down Syndrome Association of Oklahoma and Beyond the Spectrum, bringing together educators, parents, and caregivers for innovative communication strategies for individuals with disabilities.
• Beyond the SpectrummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFO co-hosts the annual Inclusive Communication Conference with Beyond the Spectrum and the Down Syndrome Association of Oklahoma, providing educators, parents, and caregivers with tools for supporting communication with students with disabilities.
• Oklahoma State Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFO partners with the Oklahoma State Department of Education on research and advocacy initiatives, including supporting parents in navigating IEPs and connecting with educational resources statewide.
• Oklahoma Chiefs AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFO's Blue Envelope Program, a communication support tool for law enforcement interactions with individuals who have communication, sensory, or cognitive challenges, is implemented in coordination with the Oklahoma Chiefs Association, with several Oklahoma cities and counties participating.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including autism support, employer training, and community inclusion programs. Comparable to AFO across employer inclusion (LEAD-style training) and community accessibility certifications.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): National nonprofit funding autism research and producing evidence-based resources for families, educators, and employers. Comparable to AFO's research-driven approach (Know & Grow Oklahoma, 2022 Childcare Needs Assessment).
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): National disability rights nonprofit run by and for autistic people, providing advocacy, policy work, and self-advocate-led resources. Comparable to AFO's self-advocate-centered programming (Surviving the Spectrum, LEAD self-advocate trainers) at national scale.
• Autism Society of America: National grassroots autism organization providing advocacy, education, and support services through a network of affiliates. Comparable on mission and multi-program nonprofit model, with chapter-based delivery analogous to AFO's statewide network.
• National Autism Association: National nonprofit focused on safety, education, and advocacy for the autism community, including resources for first responders and law enforcement. Directly comparable to AFO's Project: Safe Stop, Blue Envelope, and first responder training programs.
• Autism Speaks: The largest U.S. autism advocacy nonprofit, providing advocacy, research funding, and family services. Comparable to AFO as a multi-program nonprofit focused on autism support, though operating at vastly larger national scale rather than a single state.

Emerging players

• Sesame Workshop Autism See Amazing in All Children: Initiative providing autism inclusion resources for families, educators, and communities. Comparable to AFO's family/educator-facing educational content and community inclusion mission.
• Jasmine (Special Needs App / Planning Tool): Special-needs planning and resource tool serving autism families with curated provider directories and educational content — adjacent comparator to AFO's resource library and Inclusive Job Board.

Regional players

• Autism Society of Oklahoma: State-level autism advocacy and support organization serving Oklahoma families, directly comparable to AFO's regional nonprofit model and overlapping program areas (advocacy, parent education, and community events).

Direct peers

• Oklahoma Autism Network: Oklahoma-based autism services and training organization referenced as an AFO referral partner. Highly comparable on geography and overlapping services in education, transition, and family support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AutismFoundOK
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutismFoundationOK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autismfoundationok

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Autism Foundation of Oklahoma