To view a PDF version of this report, click here.

A Letter to the Autism Community

Dear Friends,

As we transition from last year into next, we are reminded both of the strength and resilience of the autism community, and the challenging realities that many continue to face. The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) has always been committed to supporting and advocating for autistic community, but this year, the stakes feel higher. The risks and uncertainties posed by changes in policies, funding, and the erosion of critical services have placed an immense burden on our community.

While we continue to see progress in many areas, we also recognize the dangers that lie ahead. The threats to healthcare, education, and social services are very real, and they impact not only those who directly rely on these services, but also the families, caregivers, and professionals who stand with them—who love them. As these shifts unfold, it becomes even more crucial for us to unite and remain vigilant in our advocacy efforts and in providing essential supports.

This past year, we have fought and innovated to preserve the rights and resources of individuals of autistic community but we face an ongoing struggle. These challenges remind us that the work we do is far from over, and that now, more than ever, we cannot lose sight of the vision we have long shared for the safety, prosperity, and joy that every member of our community deserves.

In addition to advocacy, we must also turn inward, to the strength and support we provide for one another within our community. There is power in coming together to offer care, understanding, and connection. When external systems falter or lurch, it is our community care that cannot. This year, we have witnessed the profound impact of shared spaces for support—whether through peer groups, family networks, trainings, or online communities—and the comfort that comes from knowing we are not alone. Turning inward does not mean we step away from advocacy—it simply means we acknowledge that the most enduring support often comes from those who truly understand. We draw strength from one another, and it is through this care and solidarity that we continue to build, even in times of great uncertainty. Each time we come together, we reaffirm the idea that community care is not just a resource, but a lifeline.

We are reminded daily of the courage and determination that define this community, and we will never stop being inspired by real connection. Your involvement, your voice, your donations, and your unwavering commitment are what make our collective strength possible. As we move into another year, we do so with determination, knowing that our shared efforts—whether in advocacy or in care—can always make a difference.

With gratitude and resolve,

Ellie and The Autism Society of Minnesota

By the Numbers

Our Mission

The mission of the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is to create connections, empowering everyone in the autism community with the resources needed to live fully. AuSM seeks to enhance the lives of all who are part of the Minnesota autism community, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

A Year of Living Our Values

In 2024, AuSM continued to build on its mission by deepening connections, fostering collaboration, and empowering individuals and families across Minnesota’s autism community. From innovative programs to impactful advocacy efforts, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to creating meaningful change. Through the lens of our core values—advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building—this section highlights the stories and accomplishments that demonstrate the heart of our work and the progress we’ve achieved together.

Advocate

 

Greetings from the AuSM Policy Committee! We have so much to celebrate from the 2024 legislative session. This year our Policy Team, in collaboration with community partners, made history by passing legislation that recommends Ableism and Disability Justice training for teachers. This marks the first time the word “Ableism” appears in Minnesota statute and only the second time it has been included in state law nationwide. In an era where legislative language often defines individuals by diagnosis and need level, officially acknowledging systemic disability discrimination is a significant step toward dismantling ableism.

Read the rest of the letter from the AuSM Policy Committee here.

 

Educate

AuSM Expands Workshop Offerings, Reaching More People in 2024

In 2024, AuSM made a significant leap forward in its mission to provide essential educational resources to the autism community. Since 2020, AuSM has moved nearly all workshops and classes to a virtual format, and in 2024 we increased the number of workshops offered in order to reach more participants throughout Minnesota.

Read more about AuSM Workshops here.

Highlights

Support

Enhancing Accessibility: AuSM’s Commitment to Inclusion

Over the past two years, AuSM has made significant strides in improving accessibility across our events, online spaces, and office environment. As a disability organization, we know that it is essential to model inclusivity and accessibility in a truly meaningful way. Too often, organizations view accommodations as a simple checklist instead of a way to build spaces that welcome individuals, no matter their needs. By removing barriers, AuSM not only creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities but also enriches our entire community.

Read more about AuSM’s accessibility improvements here.

Highlights

 

Supporting Travelers with Autism: AuSM’s Role in the Navigating MSP Program

For over a decade, AuSM has proudly partnered with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to support the Navigating MSP program. This initiative, a collaboration with the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Fraser, offers travelers with autism and other disabilities an opportunity to take free practice runs through the airport. From the moment you enter the airport to the final steps of reaching your gate, the journey can be overwhelming for anyone. For individuals with autism, this experience can be even more daunting. By familiarizing participants with TSA security screening, exploring the terminal, and even boarding a plane to meet a pilot, the program helps reduce anxiety and create a more positive travel experience.

Read more about AuSM’s work in the Navigating MSP program here.

Collaborate

Empowering Multicultural Communities Through Collaboration: The Family-to-Family Grant

AuSM has long been committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive autism community. In 2024, through the Family-to-Family Grant funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Disability Services Division, we have continued to expand our reach by building meaningful partnerships with organizations serving Minnesota’s diverse cultural communities. These collaborations have allowed us to develop culturally responsive resources, establish support networks, and amplify the voices of families navigating autism in unique cultural contexts.

Read more about our multicultural partnerships here.

Highlights

 

NeurodivergArt: A Celebration of Collaboration and Creativity

In addition to AuSM’s partnerships with other organizations, it is also an essential part of our organization to collaborate with community members. In 2024, this commitment to collaboration was exemplified through our NeurodivergArt initiative, a program designed to showcase the talents of autistic artists while also supporting AuSM’s mission.

NeurodivergArt began as a call to visual artists on the autism spectrum to submit their work for consideration to be featured for sale on AuSM’s website. Selected pieces were made available for purchase as high-quality prints, with proceeds split equally between the artists and AuSM. This innovative program not only provided autistic artists with a platform to share their work with a broader audience but also served as a meaningful fundraiser to sustain our programs and advocacy efforts.

Read more about NeurodivergArt here.

Build Community

Highlights

Finding Connection Over Coffee: AuSM’s Coffee Club Builds Community

For many autistic and neurodiverse adults, finding spaces that feel comfortable, welcoming, and inclusive can be challenging. Socializing in traditional settings can often feel overwhelming or inaccessible. Recognizing this need, AuSM launched Coffee Club in 2023, a monthly gathering designed to provide a relaxed and supportive environment where autistic adults can connect, share experiences, and build community over a favorite beverage.

Read more about AuSM’s Coffee Club here.

Get Involved

Want to be a part of AuSM’s mission and empower everyone in the autism community with the resources needed to live fully? Here are actions you can take!

Donate: your gift sustains the work that helps the Minnesota autism community. Donations stay local, and every dollar counts.

Fundraise: take your impact further by hosting a fundraiser for AuSM.

Volunteer: Share your time with AuSM through volunteer opportunities connected to acceptance and fundraising events, special office projects, and more.

Advocate: Part of AuSM’s mission is ensuring that our laws and public policies support individuals and families living with autism. AuSM is committed to helping your voice be heard.

Become a Member: AuSM membership connects you to a common community that acts without judgment, nurtures potential, advances knowledge, and builds awareness.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter: Keep on top of everything AuSM is doing by subscribing to our twice monthly newsletter

Financial Statements

AuSM is dedicated to transparency, accountability, and financial health. All donations given to AuSM support programs and services for our local autism community. Each year, we report our annual financial activity (income and expenses) and year-end financial position (assets, liabilities, and net assets or equity) in the annual report.

Financial Activity

2024 REVENUE:
Programs: $1,925,500 = 84%
Fundraising: $374,600 = 16%
TOTAL: $2,300,000

2024 EXPENSES:
Programs: $1,943,400 = 80%
Fundraising and Management: $480,800 = 20%
TOTAL: $2,424,200

Financial Position

All figures are rounded to the nearest $100. All financial information provided at the time of the annual report is tentative, pending our routine annual audit. Minn. Stat. § 24.309.53(3) states that “A financial statement of a charitable organization which has received total revenue in excess of $750,000 for the 12 months of operation covered by the statement shall be accompanied by an audited financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that has been examined by an independent certified public accountant for the purpose of expressing an opinion.” We will file the IRS 990, the primary source of public information about any nonprofit’s financial activity, after our audit. When these records are finalized, they will be posted at https://ausm.org/about/financials/.

Thank You 2024 Premier Partners!