named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Exhibitions
Hosts art exhibitions showcasing creative work by participants in AANYC’s arts programming.
Social Events
Organizes regular social gatherings including holiday parties, picnics, museum visits, theater outings, and recreational activities such as bowling, roller skating, and art walks to foster community among autistic adults.
Special Interest Groups
Hosts affinity-based groups including a Women's Group, BIPOC Listening Party, and pet meetups to support connection around shared identities and interests.
Volunteer Events
Coordinates community service opportunities in partnership with organizations like Only Make Believe to engage members in giving back.
Workshops
Offers creative and educational workshops in areas such as embroidery, sewing, painting, music composition, nutrition, and career development to support skill-building and self-expression.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Compile and share community resources for Autistic and neurodivergent individualsCurates and distributes practical resources for Autistic adults in NYC and beyond, covering topics such as independent living, public transit, housing, adult autism diagnosis, and mental health, to support self-determination and access to services.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Conduct advocacy and public education initiatives led by Autistic individualsEngages in advocacy work centered on Autistic self-determination and public awareness, including events that combat misinformation about autism, host Autistic speakers, and promote acceptance through community-led dialogue and public programming.
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Autism Awareness and Acceptance Initiatives 1 activity
- Host annual and recurring public events promoting Autistic pride and awarenessProduces large-scale public events including annual Autistic Pride Day celebrations in Brooklyn, participation in the NYC Disability Pride Parade, and virtual World Autism Acceptance Day events featuring Autistic speakers, live music, sensory accommodations, and resource tables to promote visibility, community, and public education.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Host in-person and online social, educational, and creative events for Autistic adultsOrganizes and hosts a wide range of recurring in-person and virtual events for Autistic and neurodivergent adults in the NYC tri-state area, including social gatherings, art classes, plant walks, Broadway outings, workshops (e.g., zine-making, embroidery, vision boards, comics), and cultural excursions. Events are designed to be accessible, accommodate sensory and communication needs, and foster community connection without reliance on speech.
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Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Operate online community platforms for Autistic adultsManages a community Discord server that enables Autistic and neurodivergent adults to communicate, play games, organize hangouts, and form interest-based groups, supporting ongoing connection between in-person events.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Provide educational programming on adult life skills and self-advocacyOffers workshops and educational events focused on employment, independent living, mental health, and self-advocacy for Autistic adults, including the PAUSE program and other skill-building sessions designed to support autonomy and personal development.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Support Autistic creative expression through publications and exhibitionsFacilitates creative programming including art exhibitions (e.g., Alternative Expression Exhibition), zine-making workshops for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ groups, and a blog platform that features original writing and artwork by Autistic creators, with past workshop materials made publicly available for non-commercial educational use.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$51K
Contributions & grants$50K97%
Program service revenue$7702%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$605
expenses
Total expenses$25K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$1K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$30K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$30K
1 years on record · 2024–2024
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Alice Walker — Board member
- Benjamin Jacobs — Board member
- Nicole Russell — President, Executive Director
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- ALEX THE MEH Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- BIPOC Group Partner — Hosted a zine-making event in collaboration with the BIPOC Group
- Cara Lorraine Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Circle Partner — Uses Circle platform to host and manage event communications and RSVPs.
- David W Partner — LGBTQ+ meetup host who facilitates bi-monthly gatherings for the organization.
- Emma Goldman-Sherman Partner — Spoke at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- J.M. Starling Partner — Spoke at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Jamal Byas Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Josh Arnon Partner — Spoke at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Kat Y Partner — Spoke at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- LGBTQ+ Group Partner — Hosted a zine-making event in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Group
- Lillian HG Partner — Performed or presented at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Meetup.com Partner — Platform used to launch and host initial events for Autistic Adults NYC.
- Nate Feldman Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Oliver Bliss Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Only Make Believe Partner — Collaborated on a volunteer event in December 2025.
- PAUSE Partner — Collaborates with PAUSE, a group for nonspeaking and intellectually disabled Autistic adults.
- Pawsability Partner — Co-hosted the Paws & Pizza event in 2025.
- Reese Brooks Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- SoundSolstice Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Sy'Aire Russell Partner — Founder and community builder who established Autistic Adults NYC after their own diagnosis and journey to find community in New York City.
- Sy'Aire Russell Partner — Founder and community builder who leads Autistic Adults NYC, facilitating events and resource development.
- The Handpanist Partner — Performed music at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- Victoria Stewart Partner — Spoke at Autistic Pride Day 2026.
- info@autisticadultsnyc.org Partner — Primary contact point for receiving blog submissions from Autistic writers and artists.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Amplification of Autistic Narrativesmethodology: amplifying_autistic_voicesBy centering Autistic voices in storytelling, content creation, and public programming, the organization challenges dominant narratives about autism and promotes neurodiversity pride, because authentic self-representation fosters empowerment and cultural change.
- Autistic-Led Governancemethodology: autistic_ledBy being led and operated by Autistic adults, the organization ensures that services, programming, and advocacy are community-driven and grounded in lived experience, which increases relevance, trust, and authentic representation.
- Identity-Affirming Community Spacesmethodology: affinity_groupBy creating affinity-based and identity-specific spaces—such as for Autistic adults who are BIPOC or LGBTQ+—the organization deepens belonging and mutual support, because shared identity experiences strengthen connection and reduce isolation within marginalized subgroups.
- Inclusive, Access-Centered Community Designmethodology: accessibility_centered_designBy designing programs and events with intentional accommodations for sensory needs, communication diversity, and variable support needs—including non-speaking and high-support individuals—the organization fosters genuine inclusion and belonging, because accessibility enables equitable participation.
- Peer-Driven Creative Engagementmethodology: creative_expressionBy using creative arts, reflective practices, and peer-led workshops as core programming tools, the organization fosters self-expression, personal growth, and community connection, because these formats honor diverse communication styles and empower agency in learning and sharing.