Autism Speaks Inc
Autism Speaks Inc. is a public charity based in Washington, DC. It supports research, services, advocacy and other work intended to improve quality of life for autistic people and their families throughout the lifespan.
Autism Speaks Inc at a glance
In short: Autism Speaks Inc gave $961K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), top state California. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $961,459
- -71.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- -32.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $45,784
- -57.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $29,672,783
- -16.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 21, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (31% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Autism Speaks Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 50 F Street Nw 360, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (646) 385-8500
Website: https://autismspeaks.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Autism Speaks Inc
Autism Speaks: Predoctoral Fellowship Grant
Autism Speaks Inc
Amount
US $80,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Autistic Scientist Predoctoral Fellowship Grant
Autism Speaks Inc
Amount
US $74,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Service Provider Grants: Local Impact Grants
Autism Speaks Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Autism Speaks Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University ($238K). Together the top 10 received $736K.
Grant Size Distribution
155 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 155 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states, led by California (31%), Ohio (16%), New Jersey (10%), New York (8%) and Arizona (7%). The organization’s research grant search describes science awards as available worldwide and services and support awards as available in the United States and Canada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Autism Speaks Inc open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 21 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $31K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $961K (2025) to $4.7M (2023). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $961K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University Redfwood City, CA | Science Grant | $238,365 |
| Rutgers the State University of NJ Piscataway, NJ | Science Grant | $99,999 |
| The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus, OH | Science Grant | $91,716 |
| Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Phoenix, AZ | Science Grant | $62,846 |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | Science Grant | $57,517 |
| University of Nebraska Board of Regents Omaha, NE | Science Grant | $47,673 |
| The Scripps Research La Jolla, CA | Science Grant | $37,000 |
| Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, OH | Science Grant | $35,708 |
| Seattle Children's Hospital Seattle, WA | Science Grant | $34,700 |
| Prisma Health-Upstate Greenville, SC | Science Grant | $30,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,672,783 | $28,799,237 | $34,172,414 | $961,459 | 21 | $900,106 |
| 2024 | $35,344,611 | $34,985,535 | $40,745,638 | $3,314,013 | 31 | $1,304,005 |
| 2023 | $41,380,468 | $36,262,685 | $42,911,083 | $4,725,104 | 36 | $636,469 |
| 2022 | $47,834,408 | $46,771,653 | $44,122,642 | $3,100,590 | 36 | $5,958 |
| 2021 | $48,207,079 | $42,083,296 | $41,166,504 | $2,270,504 | 31 | $26,981 |
| 2020 | $46,226,879 | $53,701,450 | $48,144,682 | $2,696,642 | 20 | $398,856 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Autism Speaks’ mission is to create an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. Its stated priorities include access to reliable information and services; research and innovation to improve quality of life; advocacy and collaboration with service providers; solutions for adult quality-of-life needs, including transition, employment, housing, health and wellness; and diversity, equity, access and inclusion.
Its research priorities for 2024–2026 include understanding aging and autism, improving wellbeing for autistic people and families facing severe or challenging behaviors and special health care needs, and advancing service delivery across the lifespan. The organization says it emphasizes implementation science and collaboration with the autistic community in research.
The grants listed in the 2025 filing include science grants and a services and supports grant. Grantee organizations describe a range of missions: the University of Rochester says it provides higher education, research and charitable patient care; Prisma Health-Upstate says its mission is to inspire health and serve with compassion; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta says it aims to make children better today and healthier tomorrow; and Baylor College of Medicine says it advances human health through patient care, research, education and community services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Autism Speaks reported 21 grants totaling $961,459. Grant amounts ranged from $5,708 to $238,365, with a median of $30,000. The largest awards included $238,365 to the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University for a science grant, $99,999 to Rutgers University for a science grant, and $91,716 to the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for a science grant. Other listed awards included $62,846 to Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center for a science grant, $57,517 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a science grant, and $30,000 to Tarrant County College District for a services and supports grant.
The organization’s website describes a predoctoral fellowship for autistic scientists, with a 2026–2027 solicitation offering $40,000 per year for two years. The published cycle called for a letter of intent, recommendations and a full application; its stated deadlines of August 4, September 8 and September 23, 2026 have passed. For science grants, the organization’s filing says grantees must submit a fully executed agreement, ethics approval and a research timeline before the first payment, and financial and progress reports during the award. Services and supports grantees must submit a fully executed agreement and program timeline, followed by financial and narrative reports at the end of the grant term.
The Local Impact Grant program has supported community programs offering social and educational experiences. Program information describes awards of up to $5,000 for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and an emphasis on deliverables that benefit the broader autism community. The program information also says the community grants program was being reimagined, with an updated program expected to be shared in 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian L. Harper as chair; Adrian M. Jones, Jamie T. Richardson and Jacquelyn Nance as vice chairmen; and Curtis Arledge as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed include Judy Benardete, Tom Bernard, Scott R. Carpenter, Jennifer Caserta and Laurie Chern.
Autism Speaks Inc is led by Keith Wargo, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 11 of 39 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Keith Wargo
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$109K (2022) → $415K (2025)
Brian L. Harper
Chair
Director → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Sitcovsky
Senior Director Policy & Govt Affairs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$187K (2025)
Dean Hartley
Senior Director Genetic Disc. & Trans. Sci.
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$198K (2025)
Adam Frazier
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aidan Kehoe
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry R. Feirstein
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Vitali
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Herbert Pardes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Caserta
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin J. Murray
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Higgins
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott R. Carpenter
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Shore
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven P. Stanbrook
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Savitz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Jones
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Bernard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darren Goode
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Seidel
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Subriana Pierce
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William O'Connor
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Frazier
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Benardete
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Chern
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Schwenkel
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Giles
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Shih
Chief Science Officer
Senior Vice President Public Health & Inclusion → Chief Science Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$246K (2020) → $309K (2025)
Jennifer S. Podoll
Senior Vice President & Const. Engagement
Senior Vice President & Constituent Engagement → Senior Vice President & Const. Engagement, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$204K (2020) → $163K (2025)
Lynn S. Happel
Senior Vice President, It & Data Support
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $227K (2025)
Joseph Vanyo
Chief Operating Officer
COO → Chief Operating Officer, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$255K (2021) → $347K (2025)
Kelli Seely
Chief Marketing Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$208K (2023) → $320K (2025)
Jacqlyn Nedvin
Vice President, People & Culture
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$225K (2024) → $219K (2025)
Ryan Silver
Vice President, Finance & Facilities
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$200K (2024) → $200K (2025)
Bryan Klopack
Chief Growth Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$265K (2025)
Adrian M. Jones
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Curtis Arledge
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelyn Nance
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie T. Richardson
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Stuart Spielman (2020–2024) — Senior Vice President & Advocacy
- Former: Claudine Larocque (2023–2024) — Vice President, Individual & Foundation Relations
- Former: Angela Geiger (2020–2023) — Former CEO & President
- Former: Donna S. Murray (2020–2023) — Vice President & Head Cl. Prgm
- Former: Melanie Akins (2020–2023) — Vice President & Corp. Initiatives
- Former: Bob Schwenkel (2023) — Director
- Former: Billy Mann (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chuck Saftler (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dan Schulman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Joseph T. Coyle MD (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lisa Gerbasi (2020–2022) — Strategic Initiatives & Innova
- Former: Lisa Yang (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dan Tarman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Anne Marie Forbes (2020) — Chief Field Ofr
- Former: Brian Kelly (2020) — Chair
- Former: Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger (2020) — Director
- Former: Henson Orser (2020) — Director
- Former: Jane Hadley (2020) — Vice President & Controller
- Former: Karen Robinson (2020) — CFO
- Former: Thomas Frazier (2020) — Chief Science Officer
- Former: Tommy Hilfiger (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $415K, to Keith Wargo (President/CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Autism Speaks Inc
How much does Autism Speaks Inc give each year?
Autism Speaks Inc gave $961K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.3M across 31 grants.
What is Autism Speaks Inc's typical grant size?
Autism Speaks Inc's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $45,784, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Autism Speaks Inc that year got $31K on average.
Where does Autism Speaks Inc give grants?
Autism Speaks Inc's top state is California, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Ohio (16%) and New Jersey (10%).
Does Autism Speaks Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Autism Speaks Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Science Grant" (20 grants).
Who are Autism Speaks Inc's largest grantees?
Autism Speaks Inc's largest 2025 grantees include The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University ($238,365), Rutgers the State University of NJ ($99,999) and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital ($91,716), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Autism Speaks Inc?
Autism Speaks Inc reported $29.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $28.8M.
What does Autism Speaks Inc fund?
Autism Speaks’ mission is to create an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Autism Speaks Inc?
Autism Speaks Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check autismspeaks.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Autism Speaks Inc's EIN?
Autism Speaks Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2329938. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 5, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 5, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 5, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Autism Speaks Inc funds
Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Autism Speaks Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Autism Speaks Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/autism-speaks-inc-morg_c32a0c364c324361bb93331654a8074d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_202329938_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Autism Speaks Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/autism-speaks-inc-morg_c32a0c364c324361bb93331654a8074d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Autism Speaks Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Autism Speaks Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?