autismup

Name

autismup

Legal name

AutismUp

Website

https://autismup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Child and Youth Services (62411)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Special education programs
• Family navigation services
• Employment transition services
• Community autism programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged to families for participation in enrichment classes and programs. AutismUp accepts both Self-Direction (OPWDD funding) and Private Pay options. Class costs range from approximately $400 to $1,365 per term depending on the program.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events including the annual Spring Gala (Soar Together), Paddle Tournament, and the $31,000 for the 1 in 31 campaign. The organization also accepts stock donations and Donor-Advised Fund contributions.
3. Micro-Business Revenue: Revenue from Kite & Key subsidiary operations including PercUp Provisions café and ScoopUp Creamery ice cream truck, which sell food/beverages and retail goods while providing employment training for participants.
4. Community Training Services: Fees for autism awareness training sessions provided to businesses, schools, healthcare providers, first responders, and other organizations on topics including disability awareness, sensory-friendly environments, and IEP support.
5. Scholarship Program: Richard and Nancy Dorschel Family Foundation Scholarship Program provides scholarships toward one class per semester for eligible families, funded through foundation grants and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AutismUp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers structured enrichment classes, life-skills training, and support services to individuals with autism across three life-stage academies (Early Academy ages 3-12, Jr. Academy ages 13-17, Full Life Academy 18+). Offerings span nine class categories (Creative Arts, Culinary Arts, Mind & Body, Lifelong Learning, Social Skills, Sports & Fitness, STEM & Gaming, Virtual Classes, Learning Labs) plus Family Navigation, ACCES-VR Pre-Employment Transition Services, Community Training, and Advocacy. Two social enterprise micro-businesses (PercUp Provisions café and ScoopUp Creamery mobile ice cream truck) operated under Kite & Key, LLC provide real-world employment training for adult participants.

Product overview

AutismUp is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of autism support services organized into three life-stage programs: Early Academy (ages 3-12), Jr. Academy (ages 13-17), and Full Life Academy (18+). Within these academies, participants access diverse class categories including Creative Arts, Culinary Arts, Mind & Body Awareness, Lifelong Learning, Social Skills & Opportunities, Sports & Fitness, STEM & Gaming, Virtual Classes, and Learning Labs. The organization also operates two social enterprises under its subsidiary Kite & Key, LLC: PercUp Provisions (a café and learning lab) and ScoopUp Creamery (a mobile ice cream truck), both providing real-world job training opportunities. Additional services include Family Navigation, ACCES-VR employment services, Community Training, and Advocacy initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kite & Key, LLC: A visionary subsidiary of AutismUp created to expand Community-Organized Learning Labs that offer individuals with autism hands-on opportunities to apply life and job skills in real-world settings.
• PercUp Provisions
• ScoopUp Creamery

Products and services

• Early Academy (Ages 3-12) Early childhood programs for children with autism ages 3-12 that build confidence in group settings, social connections, and foundational skills through structured activities and guided play across multiple class categories.
• Jr. Academy (Ages 13-17) Teen programs for adolescents with autism ages 13-17 focusing on social readiness, independence, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills through collaborative activities and group projects.
• Full Life Academy (18+) Adult programs for individuals with autism ages 18+ supporting independence, work readiness, life skills, social, problem-solving, and health-awareness skills, including ACCES-VR Pre-Employment Transition Services.
• PercUp Provisions Café and micro-business within the Golisano Autism Center offering coffee, beverages, grab-and-go food, and AutismUp merchandise while providing real-world employment training for Full Life Academy participants in food service, customer relations, and hospitality.
• ScoopUp Creamery Mobile ice cream truck serving community events throughout Rochester, providing real-world job experience for young adults with autism in customer service, hospitality, and teamwork while generating revenue and community awareness.
• Kite & Key, LLC Visionary subsidiary of AutismUp operating Community-Organized Learning Labs (COLLABS) offering hands-on opportunities to apply life and job skills in real-world settings through initiatives like ScoopUp Creamery and PercUp Provisions.
• Family Navigation Services Personalized support and guidance services from navigators who are parents of children with autism, helping families navigate services and resources in the Greater Rochester area.
• ACCES-VR Services Pre-Employment Transition Services and adult employment programs including job readiness training, career exploration, and work-based learning experiences for individuals with autism.
• Community Training Expert-led training sessions for parents, caregivers, educators, businesses, healthcare providers, and first responders on autism awareness, behavioral strategies, sensory-friendly environments, and inclusive practices.
• Advocacy Services Housing initiative and advocacy efforts including the Build Up ROC Comprehensive Housing Analysis to identify barriers and expand accessible housing options for individuals with autism.
• Creative Arts Classes Music, art, and creative expression programs that foster imagination, strengthen relationships, and inspire confidence for individuals with autism.
• Culinary Arts Classes Cooking and baking programs that build independence, confidence, social connection, and practical kitchen skills for individuals with autism.
• Mind & Body Awareness Classes Programs including yoga, mindfulness, and sensory activities that strengthen the connection between body and mind for individuals with autism.
• Lifelong Learning Classes Skills for independence programs focusing on organization, decision-making, self-advocacy, and problem-solving for individuals with autism.
• Social Skills & Opportunities Classes Structured classes and peer-led activities that build communication and relationship skills for meaningful social connections for individuals with autism.
• Sports & Fitness Classes Active play and exercise programs that build coordination, body awareness, teamwork, and overall physical well-being for individuals with autism.
• STEM & Gaming Classes STEM and gaming programs that encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence through hands-on activities and strategic gameplay for individuals with autism.
• Virtual Classes Online learning programs that develop problem-solving, social readiness, and relationship-building skills in a flexible virtual environment for individuals with autism.
• Learning Labs Workplace skills development programs that focus on social readiness, collaboration, and professional habits in real-world settings for individuals with autism.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 4,000+ families annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Nazareth UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025Nazareth University hosts AutismUp's annual iCan Bike camp where 40 individuals learn to ride bicycles. The university also provides facilities for Anime Art classes. Partnership enables specialized programming in university setting.
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for AutismsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 August 2025Foundation hosting the annual Flutie 5K for Autism. When participants select AutismUp as their charity of choice during registration, funds support autism services in the community.
• Monroe County Library SystemsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Collaborative partnership to host Carl the Collector's Community Birthday Party for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, combining library resources with AutismUp programming.
• WXXIsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Local public media partner collaborating with AutismUp, Monroe County Library, and Parents Helping Parents on the Carl the Collector community birthday party event.
• Parents Helping Parents of Monroe CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Nonprofit parent organization partnering with AutismUp on community events for families of children with developmental disabilities.
• Golisano Autism Center (Al Sigl Community of Agencies, CP Rochester)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2019Al Sigl, AutismUp, and CP Rochester co-founded the Golisano Autism Center with mission to provide comprehensive and coordinated autism services. The Center officially opened September 12, 2019. AutismUp is the largest tenant and Founding Partner of the 30,500-square-foot facility. The $9 million capital campaign was supported by Tom Golisano's $2.5 million challenge gift and $500,000 from the Golisano Foundation.
• CP RochestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner of Golisano Autism Center alongside Al Sigl and AutismUp. CP Rochester provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities and collaborates on autism programming.
• Al Sigl Community of AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner of Golisano Autism Center alongside CP Rochester and AutismUp. Al Sigl serves as backbone organization coordinating the center's operations and partner agencies.
• UR Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (Levine Autism Clinic)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutismUp is proud to provide navigation services to URMC's Levine Autism Center. The clinic offers multidisciplinary evaluation and specialty healthcare to children with developmental disabilities.
• Dr. Bryan HarrisonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed clinical psychologist providing autism diagnostic evaluations. Board member of AutismUp. Completed fellowship in Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at URMC providing therapy to caregivers and conducting autism evaluations.
• First Place, AZsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHighly respected organization with proven track record of housing analyses nationwide, engaged by AutismUp to conduct the Build Up ROC Comprehensive Housing Analysis for Rochester.
• David's RefugesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization partnering with AutismUp to host Caregiver Day events designed exclusively for caregivers, offering relaxation, self-care, and mental health support.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: National organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, with a federation of ~600 state and local chapters. Comparable to AutismUp in lifespan services, family navigation, employment support, and advocacy; broader I/DD scope rather than autism-specific, but operates similar local chapter support models.
• Autism Speaks: Largest national autism advocacy and services organization in the U.S., funding research, advocacy, and direct support programs. Comparable to AutismUp as a peer in the autism support/advocacy ecosystem, though Autism Speaks operates at national scale and emphasizes research and policy, while AutismUp is regionally focused on direct lifespan service delivery.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability and autism services including early intervention, employment support, and community-based programs across 70+ affiliates. Comparable to AutismUp as a multi-service lifespan disability support provider; broader disability scope and larger scale, with similar reliance on local affiliates and government contracts.
• Autism Society of America: National grassroots autism advocacy and support organization with a network of ~75 local affiliates delivering programs, support groups, and resource navigation. Directly comparable to AutismUp's mission of community-based support, family navigation, and lifespan programming; operates a federation model versus AutismUp's centralized Rochester delivery.

Regional players

• Person Centered Services: Upstate New York nonprofit providing person-centered services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including home and community-based services, self-direction, and employment supports. Comparable to AutismUp in lifespan disability services and self-direction funding acceptance; broader I/DD focus versus autism-specific, and operates in adjacent NY counties.
• Ability Partners: Greater Rochester area nonprofit providing services for individuals with disabilities including day programs, employment services, and community-based supports. Listed as a Build Up ROC co-sponsor alongside AutismUp; comparable as a regional disability-services peer competing for philanthropic dollars and referrals in the same Rochester market.
• AHRC New York: New York-based nonprofit providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism, offering day programs, employment services, residential support, and clinical services statewide. Comparable to AutismUp as a NY-state I/DD provider with employment and lifespan programming; larger geographic footprint and broader service mix, including residential care not offered by AutismUp.

Direct peers

• CP Rochester: Rochester-based nonprofit providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities and co-founding partner of the Golisano Autism Center alongside AutismUp. Directly comparable as a same-geography peer offering autism-related programs, employment services, and lifespan support; partner rather than competitor, but operates overlapping program types in the same facility.
• National Autism Association: National autism advocacy organization focused on safety, lifespan support, and family resources for individuals with autism. Comparable to AutismUp as a mission-aligned peer in family navigation, advocacy, and lifespan support; operates at national scale with mostly informational and advocacy services, while AutismUp delivers direct in-person programming.
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism: National autism-focused foundation supporting individuals and families affected by autism through grants, direct programs, and partnerships with regional service providers. Direct peer in mission and grantmaking; already partners with AutismUp through the Flutie 5K for Autism fundraising event, demonstrating operational comparability in funding community-based autism programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/autismup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AutismUp
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutismUp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autismup
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismuproc
• TikToktiktok.com/@autismuproc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 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 autismup