BBB Wise Giving Report for
Autism Society of America

BBB Wise Giving Report issued April 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires April 2013


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Autism Society of America
Address: 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 350
  Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-657-0881
Web Address: www.autism-society.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 43, District of Columbia
Affiliates: 151 chapters

Stated Purpose: "to improve the lives of all affected by autism."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

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Programs

              

ASA’s 151 chapters nationwide serve as incubators for local programs such as camps, respite care, and social skills events. ASA launched research initiatives to look into early diagnosis and early intervention, the environmental triggers of autism, environmental factors that exacerbate health conditions, and also a coordinated treatment guided research initiative. The organization operates information and referral services via its 1-800-3Autism toll free number and it also manages an online referral database called AutismSource. During annual and regional conferences, ASA brings together experts to address the challenges individuals with autism and their families face. To gain support from the federal government in addressing the needs of individuals with autism and their families, ASA holds meetings and briefings with members of Congress and their staffs. ASA also presents awards and scholarships to scholars in the autism field and students with autism. Some ($262,536 or 7%) of ASA's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, ASA's program expenses were:

  
Education 2,683,250
Advocacy 691,631
Public awareness 345,819
Total Program Expenses: $3,720,700
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Lee Grossman, President and CEO
Compensation*:
$236,881

Chair of the Board: Dr. James Ball
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: CEO of JB Autism Consulting

Board Size: 14

Paid Staff Size: 18

*2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.
Fund raising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,726,710, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
ASA incurred joint costs of $491,251 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $262,536 was allocated to program expenses and $228,715 was allocated to fund raising expenses.
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Tax Status

              

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on ASA's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 3,726,710
Annual and regional conference 493,409
Investment income 277,111
Merchandise sales, net 129,054
Total Income $4,626,284


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 76%  Fund Raising: 14%  Administrative: 10% 

Total income   $4,626,284
  Program expenses $3,720,700
  Fund raising expenses 660,130
  Administrative expenses 500,800
 
Total expenses   $4,881,630
Expenses in Excess of Income   (255,346)
Beginning net assets   1,127,194
Ending net assets   871,848
Total liabilities   1,159,081
Total assets   $2,030,929


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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