Autism Speaks
Funds autism research and provides resources and advocacy for autistic people and their families.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 13, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is Autism Speaks a good charity?
Autism Speaks holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 92%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $36.3M in revenue, up 276% from $9.7M in 2019, and $42.9M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
Finances
From Autism Speaks's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as Autism Speaks Inc).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $36.3M | $42.9M | $37.8M | $1.6M | 990 PDF |
| 2022 | $46.8M | $44.1M | $44.4M | $1.6M | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $42.1M | $41.2M | $41.7M | $1.4M | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $53.7M | $48.1M | $40.8M | $2.3M | 990 PDF |
| 2019 | $9.7M | $8.9M | $35.2M | $562K | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2025 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2025 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in disability rights do
Disability-rights organizations combine direct advocacy, litigation, policy work, and individual case management. The strongest both pursue impact litigation on ADA enforcement and accessible-design lawsuits AND provide direct services like benefits navigation and assistive-technology support. Funding supports attorneys, advocates, policy staff, and disability-community organizers — many of whom are themselves people with disabilities (the "nothing about us without us" principle).
How to judge charities in this area
Look for organizations led by people with disabilities, not just serving them — leadership representation correlates with effective programs. Examine litigation wins, ADA enforcement actions, and policy changes secured. Charity Navigator's accountability and transparency scores are useful, and the National Disability Rights Network maintains a directory of state-level protection and advocacy organizations.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Make accessibility a priority in your own work, business, and community
- + Donate monthly to support ongoing litigation and policy work
- + Vote for candidates with strong disability-rights records
- + Advocate for accessibility in your workplace and public spaces
- + Hire people with disabilities — employment is the single biggest economic gap
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Autism Speaks:
Frequently asked
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