The following organizations are noteworthy because they:

1. Focus on issues beneficial to autistics
2. Include adult autistics in their governance, or otherwise follow the philosophy of, "Nothing for us without us." (Most or all are organizations run by adult autistics.)

An Accidental Donor

"Contribute to My Cause" Solicitations
Many people, who normally are not seeking to donate, are asked to donate for one or another reason. By way of example, a co-worker may be involved in fundraisers. It may be more politic to express one's charitable sympathy by donating to a group offering meaningful support and promoting a positive image of the people the organization proports to help.

"I support your cause, but would rather support it through self-advocacy groups."

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Coerced Workplace Donations
Coerced workplace donations may be diverted to some of these organizations. (In some places, employees are pressured to engage in "community" donations, e.g., United Way). It is almost always possible to divert these personal funds to personally selected charities, either within or outside of the Employer's Sponsored Fund. If the donation is entirely outside of the Sponsored Fund (i.e, a direct donation), don't forget to describe your donation to the employer's fund manager. Note that support of autism organizations is generally regarded as mainstream.

Most of these donation alternatives apply to registered or tax-exempt organizations.

More on redirecting coerced employee donations below.

Several of these organisations are not registered tax-exempt organisations. If tax deductions or "official" status are important, please look into this by visiting their websites.

Organizations Focused on Providing Services to Autistics

Autism Network International (ANI)

ANI is not a registered charity (i.e., not a 501(c)(3) corporation), but rather an unincorporated volunteer organisation. Their most signifant activity is Autreat. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is acting as a fiscal agent and can accept donations as a 501(c)(3) corporation (registered charity) on behalf of ANI. Donations for Autreat are used for general funding of Autreat and for scholarships and subsidies for people attending Autreat based on financial need. Donations are accepted at:

Autism Network International
c/o Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

(paypal link)

Cheques should be drafted to ASAN; not ANI. If tax-exempt status is not a consideration, cheques can of course be drafted to and sent directly to ANI.
Be sure to indicate that the intent of the donation is for supporting ANI.

DISCLOSURE: The author volunteers with ANI.

(US) National Organizations Related to Autism from neurodiversity.com

Kathleen Seidel has done her usual amazing job of collecting resources.

International and Regional Organizations Related to Autism from neurodiversity.com

- scroll to "Regional Support"

GRASP - The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership  

GRASP is led by Michael John Carley, and is primarily focused on publicity related to autism self-advocacy.

Organizations Focused on Community or Government Advocacy

ASAN - The Autistic Self Advocacy Network  

ASAN is an entirely volunteer-run organization. As of 5-07, None of their board members, officers, support staff, mentors, or other personnel are paid a salary. ASAN was started by Ari Ne'eman. As of 5-07, they filed for 501(c)(3) status and have received a tax ID number. (The IRS ultimately renders a determination, but the present filed status means that they can provisionally accept tax-exempt donations.)

Donations are accepted at:

Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

(paypal link)

(TAAP entry removed due to email abuse.)

Organizations Focused on Individual Advocacy and Support

auties.org - self-advocacy in a simplified form.

(As of 5-07, auties.org was not registered for tax-deductable status purposes.)

Organizations Focused on Providing Internet-Based Services or Information

A number of websites have become self-supporting through syndicated ads, and example being WPC.

This website...

I don't accept contributions. Instead, please see "Seattle Community Network" immediately below.

Seattle Community Network  

This is not an Autistic organization, but does offer free webspace for any organization that requests it. This website (at least one instance of it) is hosted by SCN. They have hosted a number of personal and organizational websites. One I can think of is the East Timor Independence website, which helped secure independence for an entire country. They actively promote "democracy through information" (SCN's motto, "Democratic Technology for All"), meaning information, and distribution of information should be free. SCNA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

  www.neurodiversity.com

Neurodiversity is a project of (I believe) Kathleen Seidel, who has an amazing array of useful information. Her information ranges from a history of early autism research to current reference.

www.autistics.org

autistics.org is a web project which I believe is run by Laura Tisoncik. She takes direct donations via paypal (linked from their www.autistics.org home page), and are looking for web and MySQL volunteers.

Aspies for Freedom (AFF) - assertive self-advocacy

Organizations Focused on Providing Services to Autistics

People employed by large organizations are often coerced into making donations. (Generally these are through paycheck deduction, but the employee can elect one-time donations as well.) Such donations may be diverted to the charity of the employee's choice.

Non-Autistic Groups

There are non-autistic agencies that essentially benefit us. Many social service agencies that offer personal counseling would fit into that category. Common examples are social service agencies associated with religious or ethnic groups, the Jewish Federation being an example.

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Approved and Unapproved Charities

Such designated donations (unless already assigned a member agency number) are called "directed donations" or "write in organizations". United Way of National Capital Area includes the following choices on their donor form:

• (no option selected - United Way general fund)
• United Way Community Services Fund - apparently designates types of funding, e.g. regional or by generic goals. (These look a little like the descriptions of mutual funds, but of course for philanthropic purposes.)
• Designated "your favorite United Way agency"
• "a nonprofit organization not affiliated with United Way"
  Organization Name __________

The last item indicates two things:

1. Specific charitable deductions, not on their Official List may be designated; and
2. The recipient must be a "nonprofit" organization.

It isn't clear whether the recipient must be a qualified tax exempt organization under the tax law, or whether any non-profit organization qualifies. Regardless, this allows you to direct coerced donations essentially to a qualified charity of your choice.

(Without further information, presume that the recipient must be a qualified tax exempt organization.)

The point is that you can direct your funds (minus the United Way operating funds) to go to whom you want them to go to.

This also suggests that some of our advocacy organizations can "sign up" for local United Way status. If possible, the agency should list themselves in concise manner, such as, "Richard Nixon Fund - autism advocacy". There are a number of people who scan these lists for potential donees.

If Your Local Donation Fund Blocks "Write-In" Donations

Simply make the donation directly. Then request that your company's Campaign Manager include your donation in the campaign's totals (because the local Fund blocks "directed donations"!) The Campaign Manager will likely include your donation because it represents an increase in the results for that Campaign Manager. This also sends a strong message to the local Fund about blocking "directed donations".

First posted 1 May 07. Last revised 31 Dec 11.

Questions - see FAQs.