The Positivity Spectrum

What The Positivity Spectrum does

The Positivity Spectrum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on June 3, 2024, by Sarah Kovit Hanna, an autism parent and corporate lawyer, to address gaps in services for autistic children, autistic adults, and their caregivers in Northeast Ohio. The organization operates from Macedonia, Ohio, with a staff of 1-10 and serves a 13-county region covering Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Lorain, Ashtabula, Geauga, Trumbull, Portage, Medina, Stark, Wayne, and Mahoning counties. Its program portfolio spans five core service lines: Camp for Kids (sponsored aides for autistic children attending YMCA summer camps at 1:1 or 1:2 ratios, priced at $20 per aide-hour), Mission Inclusion (a free 30-minute K-5 school-based inclusion curriculum co-developed with Building Blocks Therapy), Sensory Saturdays (recurring sensory-safe events hosted at Sky Zone, USA Ninja Challenge, Pump It Up, and Fun 'n' Stuff), Diagnosis Without Delay (referral pathways to private evaluators to bypass multi-year diagnostic waitlists), and a Free Legal Clinic (no-cost IEP advocacy and Special Needs Trust planning staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students). The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform, relying instead on standard tools (Google Forms for intake, case management software for the legal clinic, and social media for community engagement).

The business model is donation-driven. Revenue streams include individual and corporate donations accepted via PayPal, Venmo, check by mail, and the Benevity corporate giving platform; event-based fundraising through Hearts for Inclusion ($10 per art heart) and the annual Quiet Carnival (sponsorships from $100 to $10,000, plus $20 vendor tables and raffle baskets); merchandise sales through a partnership with Sick City Tees; and program-specific unit giving (every $20 raised funds one hour of camp aide support, with $7,000 covering one full 10-week aide). The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, with awareness generated through Facebook, Instagram, and X presence, blog content, local media coverage (Spectrum News 1 Ohio, Uniquely You Magazine), email newsletters, and word-of-mouth within the autism community. Key partner ecosystem includes Akron Area YMCA, Greater Cleveland YMCA, Building Blocks Therapy, Sky Zone Boston Heights, USA Ninja Challenge, Pump It Up, Fun 'n' Stuff, Benevity, and Sick City Tees. The organization received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in January 2025 and is governed by a board that includes speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and special education attorneys.

Name

The Positivity Spectrum

Legal name

The Positivity Spectrum

Website

https://thepositivityspectrum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Positivity Spectrum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024 that delivers inclusive recreation, school-based inclusion education, diagnostic support, and free legal advocacy to autistic children, autistic adults, and caregivers across 13 counties in Northeast Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (6244), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Support & Positive Behavior Intervention Childcare (HSAAAIAF), Sensory Processing & Sensory-Friendly Childcare (HSAAAIAE), Inclusive Group Care & Peer Inclusion Facilitation (HSAAAIAN), Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services (EDAKAKAD)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Inclusive recreation programs
• Special education advocacy
• Sensory-friendly events
• Nonprofit disability services

Headquarters

HQ city

Macedonia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations are the primary revenue source. The organization accepts donations via PayPal, Venmo, check by mail, and corporate matching through the Benevity platform. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible.
2. Event-Based Fundraising: Revenue generated through community events including Hearts for Inclusion (art fundraiser with $10 per heart), sponsorship packages for the Quiet Carnival (ranging from $100 to $10,000), vendor table fees ($20), and raffle baskets.
3. Merchandise Sales: Partnership with Sick City Tees for merchandise sales. The organization sells branded merchandise including apparel through this e-commerce partnership.
4. Program Funding: Camp for Kids program operates on a funding model where families can receive TPS-sponsored aides (funded by donations), utilize school district ESY funding, or pay privately. Every $20 raised equals one hour of aide time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Positivity Spectrum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free programs supporting autistic children, autistic adults, and caregivers across Northeast Ohio. Its core offerings include Camp for Kids (sponsored aides enabling autistic children to attend inclusive YMCA summer camps), Mission Inclusion (a free K-5 school-based curriculum teaching autism inclusion), Sensory Saturdays (sensory-friendly events at partner venues), Diagnosis Without Delay (connections to private evaluators to bypass diagnostic waitlists), and a Free Legal Clinic (IEP advocacy and Special Needs Trusts). All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries.

Product overview

The Positivity Spectrum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a portfolio of programs and services for autistic children, autistic adults, and their families. The core offerings include: Camp for Kids (summer camp aide sponsorship), Mission Inclusion (school-based curriculum), Sensory Events/Sensory Saturdays (inclusive recreational events), Diagnosis Without Delay (diagnostic service connections), and a Free Legal Clinic (IEP advocacy and Special Needs Trust planning). Additional offerings include community fundraisers like Hearts for Inclusion and the annual Quiet Carnival. These programs work together to provide practical support across the autism journey—from diagnosis and school inclusion to recreational activities and long-term legal planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Camp for Kids Program providing sponsored aides for qualified autistic children at local summer camps (Akron Area YMCA and Greater Cleveland YMCA) to support executive function and social skills in a fully inclusive camp experience with 1:1 or 1:2 aide ratios.
• Mission Inclusion FREE 30-minute school-based curriculum for grades K-5 that teaches children about autism and neurodiversity through interactive activities; participants earn Inclusion Agent badges. Delivered in partnership with Building Blocks Therapy.
• Sensory Saturdays Sensory-safe events offering inclusive spaces for autistic children to have fun and socialize, held at partner venues including Sky Zone, USA Ninja Challenge, and Pump It Up locations.
• Diagnosis Without Delay Program connecting families to private evaluators and diagnostic services to bypass multi-year waitlists and expedite autism diagnosis for children.
• The Positivity Spectrum Legal Clinic Free legal clinic providing IEP advocacy, special education case representation, and Special Needs Trust planning to autism families in Northeast Ohio, staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students.
• Hearts for Inclusion Community art fundraiser where participants purchase hearts that become part of a collaborative art installation; funds support TPS programs for autistic children and adults.
• The Positivity Spectrum Quiet Carnival Sensory-sensitive carnival event with inflatables, carnival games, vendors, raffle baskets, and food trucks designed for autistic children, autistic adults, and caregivers.
• The Positivity Spectrum Store Online merchandise store operated in partnership with Sick City Tees, selling branded apparel and items.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of autism research funding goes toward finding causes; only 6% supports services for autistic individuals
• +2 more outcomes

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.

• Building Blocks TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Collaborative partner in Mission Inclusion school-based program. Building Blocks Therapy contributes autism expertise to curriculum development and program delivery. Jointly creating and offering the free Inclusion Agent curriculum.
• Akron Area YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Primary partnership for Camp for Kids program. TPS provides sponsored aides to accompany autistic children at YMCA summer camps. Partnership enables 1:1 or 1:2 aide ratios in fully inclusive camp settings. Pilot program launched summer 2024.
• Greater Cleveland YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Partnership expanded Camp for Kids to Greater Cleveland area. Provides inclusive summer camp environment where TPS-sponsored aides support autistic children alongside neurotypical peers.
• Sky Zone Boston HeightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Sensory Saturdays, providing sensory-friendly hours twice monthly. Partnership creates inclusive recreation opportunities for autistic children in a trampoline park environment designed for sensory regulation and social interaction.
• USA Ninja ChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for sensory-friendly events through Sensory Saturdays. Ninja gym provides an environment for motor skill development, coordination improvement, and sensory regulation in a supportive, inclusive setting.
• Pump It UpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for sensory-friendly events. Provides safe, controlled inflatable play environment for autistic children with sensory-friendly accommodations and inclusive programming.
• Fun 'n' StuffminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal entertainment venue partner for sensory-safe events serving the Northeast Ohio autism community.
• BenevityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate giving platform enabling The Positivity Spectrum to accept corporate donations and matching contributions. Allows employers to direct workplace giving and volunteer grants to TPS.
• Sick City TeesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerchandise partner producing and selling branded TPS apparel and merchandise. E-commerce partnership generates revenue through merchandise sales.
• YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA provides inclusive summer camp infrastructure. TPS provides funded aides and program coordination. Partnership enables autistic children to attend camp with neurotypical peers with appropriate support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Largest U.S. autism advocacy and research nonprofit with national reach. Overlaps with TPS mission of supporting autistic individuals and families, but operates at scale TPS cannot match and focuses more heavily on research.
• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability and autism services, including camp programs, therapeutic services, and advocacy. Overlaps with TPS on Camp for Kids-style inclusive recreation and broader family services, but at significantly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Autism Society of America: National autism advocacy organization with local affiliates across the U.S. Directly comparable advocacy and family-support mission, with established brand, donor base, and policy influence that far exceeds a startup nonprofit.

Direct peers

• KultureCity: National nonprofit specializing in sensory inclusion and accessibility at venues, events, and sports arenas. Directly comparable on the Sensory Saturdays model of partnering with entertainment venues to host sensory-friendly experiences.
• The Autism Community in Action (TACA): National nonprofit providing support, education, and resources for autism families, with a strong focus on navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and treatment. Comparable on Diagnosis Without Delay and Legal Clinic-style family support and education programming.
• AbilityPath: Nonprofit providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, including autism. Comparable integrated model spanning programs, advocacy, and family services.
• Autism Society of Greater Cleveland: Regional chapter of the Autism Society serving Northeast Ohio with family support, advocacy, and community programming. Closest geographic peer and competes for the same donor and volunteer base in the 13-county region TPS operates in.
• Milestones Autism Resources: Cleveland-based nonprofit serving autism families across Northeast Ohio with resources, support groups, and provider directories. Directly comparable geographic footprint and mission to The Positivity Spectrum, with overlapping family and school audiences.

Emerging players

• Different Needz Foundation: Smaller nonprofit focused on grants and adaptive equipment for children with special needs, including autism. Comparable in mission focus on autism family support and equipment/resource access, though smaller scale and different delivery model.

Others

• Building Blocks Therapy: Northeast Ohio therapy provider specializing in pediatric autism services and co-developer of TPS's Mission Inclusion curriculum. Strong comparable on geographic footprint, clinical expertise, and audience overlap, though structured as a for-profit therapy practice rather than a nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sarahkovithanna
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/104206354
• Instagraminstagram.com/thepositivityspectrum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 The Positivity Spectrum