Autism Strong Foundation
Autism Strong Foundation is a public charity based in Charlotte, North Carolina, formed in 2016. It provides financial support, community resources, and inclusive programming for autistic people and their families, with an emphasis on access to therapies and other supports.
Autism Strong Foundation at a glance
In short: Autism Strong Foundation gave $432K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $431,950
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- Average grant
- $17,278
- Median grant
- $12,630
- Total assets
- $923,564
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Autism Strong Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applicants can use the foundation’s program application process. Eligibility and requirements vary by program; Landon’s Hope and the Jacob Rodriguez scholarship require an autism diagnosis, while N.E.E.D. Funding accepts an autism diagnosis or a referral to diagnosis. Financial aid is limited to one grant per child per calendar year.
- Review Cycle
- Landon’s Hope Scholarship is listed with a deadline of October 31, 2026.
- Deadline
- Landon’s Hope Scholarship is listed with a deadline of October 31, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9935D Rea Road 253, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: (937) 620-4185
Website: https://autismstrong.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Autism Strong Foundation
Autism Strong CampStrong Grant
Autism Strong Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Autism Strong N.E.E.D. Funding Grant
Autism Strong Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Jacob Rodriguez College Scholarship
Autism Strong Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Autism Strong Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Autism Society of NC ($83K). Together the top 10 received $299K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 27 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area includes these North Carolina counties: Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Rowan, Stanley, Durham, Orange, Wake, Chatham, Franklin, Buncombe, and Henderson; and these South Carolina counties: York, Lancaster, Chester, and Chesterfield.
In 2024, 65% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 12% to recipients in South Carolina. Other recipient states listed were Arizona (8%), Florida (6%), and Wisconsin (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
Cities
How Autism Strong Foundation gives
- Giving grew 6722% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2021) to $432K (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $432K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Autism Society of NC Raleigh, NC | Support for autism programs | $83,200 |
| Connect N Care Charlotte, NC | Support for autism programs | $40,338 |
| Chrysalis Autism Center Rock Hill, SC | Support for autism programs | $35,843 |
| Ignited Minds Scottsdale, AZ | Support for autism programs | $33,288 |
| Compleat Kidz Pediatric Gastonia, NC | Support for autism programs | $19,100 |
| Carolina Center for ABA Durham, NC | Support for autism programs | $18,550 |
| Mosaic Pediatric Therapy Charlotte, NC | Support for autism programs | $18,150 |
| Beyond Behaviors Hudson, WI | Support for autism programs | $17,650 |
| Carolina Therapeutics Fort Mill, SC | Support for autism programs | $16,600 |
| The Cyzner Institute Charlotte, NC | Support for autism programs | $16,205 |
Ready to take the next step with Autism Strong Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $923,564 | $1,144,037 | $1,230,630 | $431,950 | 25 |
| 2023 | $1,011,601 | $1,161,483 | $1,002,593 | — | — |
| 2022 | $890,950 | $909,201 | $677,554 | $45,000 | 1 |
| 2021 | $437,994 | $462,736 | $107,529 | $6,332 | 1 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its mission is to provide financial support, community resources, and inclusive programming to empower people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families, promote access to therapeutic services, increase autism awareness, and foster acceptance and inclusion.
Its programs include Landon’s Hope Scholarship for therapy services; N.E.E.D. Funding for immediate needs such as starting therapy, obtaining an autism diagnosis, education advocacy, and past-due therapy balances; an Emergency Fund Grant for urgent family needs; the Jacob Rodriguez College Scholarship for autistic students pursuing higher education or vocational training; CampStrong support for camp experiences; and Angels 4 Autism holiday assistance. The foundation says financial aid is limited to one grant per child per calendar year. For Angels 4 Autism, families may apply or be nominated by a friend, school, or trusted source.
The foundation’s 2024 organizational grants supported autism programs. Among its grantees, Chrysalis Autism Center says its mission is to help young children with autism develop skills for family, community, and educational connections. Camp Blue Skies Foundation says it offers residential camps for adults with developmental disabilities, focused on recreation, socialization, and life-skills education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $431,950. Grants ranged from $5,800 to $83,200, with a median of $12,630. The largest grants included Autism Society of NC ($83,200), Connect N Care ($40,338), Chrysalis Autism Center ($35,843), Ignited Minds ($33,288), and Compleat Kidz Pediatric ($19,100). The stated purpose for each of these grants was support for autism programs.
For individuals and families, Landon’s Hope Scholarship applications open each September for six weeks; awardees are notified in December, and awards apply to the following calendar year. The next opening is expected in late 2026. The Jacob Rodriguez College Scholarship is listed as open. The N.E.E.D. Funding program requires residence in the service area and an autism diagnosis or referral to diagnosis. Landon’s Hope and the Jacob Rodriguez scholarship require residence in the service area and an autism diagnosis.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stephanie Melish Neuman as Executive Director; Jon Little as Treasurer; John Neuman as Vice President; Christina Wilson as Secretary; and Rudy Thoms as President. It also lists LauRen Merola Strager, Dallas Strager, Rebecca Thoms, and Mark Tripp as directors.
Autism Strong Foundation is led by Stephanie Melish Neuman, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephanie Melish Neuman
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$47K (2022) → $116K (2024)
Rudy Thoms
President
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca JO Thoms
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dallas Strager
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
LauRen Merola Strager
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Tripp
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Neuman
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Little
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Wilson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Daniel R Thoms (2021–2023) — President
- Former: Dean Buttrey (2021–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $116K, to Stephanie Melish Neuman (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Autism Strong Foundation
How much does Autism Strong Foundation give each year?
Autism Strong Foundation gave $432K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is Autism Strong Foundation's typical grant size?
Autism Strong Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $12,630, and its average grant was $17,278, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Autism Strong Foundation give grants?
Autism Strong Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were South Carolina (12%) and Arizona (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (7 grants), Huntersville, NC (2 grants) and Mooresville, NC (2 grants).
Does Autism Strong Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Autism Strong Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for autism programs" (25 grants).
Who are Autism Strong Foundation's largest grantees?
Autism Strong Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Autism Society of NC ($83,200), Connect N Care ($40,338) and Chrysalis Autism Center ($35,843), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Autism Strong Foundation?
Autism Strong Foundation reported $924K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does Autism Strong Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to provide financial support, community resources, and inclusive programming to empower people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families, promote access to therapeutic services, increase autism awareness, and foster acceptance and inclusion. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Autism Strong Foundation?
Applicants can use the foundation’s program application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Autism Strong Foundation's EIN?
Autism Strong Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3459371. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Autism Strong Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Autism Strong Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Autism Strong Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/autism-strong-foundation-morg_41921f140db043a3910c40131b07f87b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_813459371_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Autism Strong Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/autism-strong-foundation-morg_41921f140db043a3910c40131b07f87b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Strong Foundation'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.
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