irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $746KIn 2020 we embarked on our new frontier of direct programming with the creation of the Center for Community Transition. At the heart of this person-centered approach to skill building for adults is the Full Life Academy. We are offering about two dozen classes to individuals who have exited the school system and transitioned to adult services. Our modern approach and collaborative efforts with businesses in our community provides our participants with unique opportunities to further build skills and increase their independence.
- #2 $189KAutismUp strives to support all individuals and their families in the greater Rochester area who are impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder. We offer a growing list of support programs, educational opportunities and family gatherings as a way to help our member families improve their ability to support one another and their quality of life. The development of our Cycle of Support model is a key component of this area. This model includes several Family Navigators located at the Golisano Autism Center, one of whom is bilingual.We seek to improve our communitys ability to support and to include individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their caregivers. This area includes our advocacy initiatives, collaboration with other agencies and community training opportunities.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Family Navigator Program
Support service that provides guidance and resources to families of individuals with autism, located at partner sites including the Golisano Autism Center and Strong Hospital.
Full Life Academy
Person-centered skill-building program for adults with autism who have transitioned from school services, offering classes in life skills, social readiness, and independence.
Learning Labs
Workplace readiness programs that teach professional skills such as collaboration, social readiness, and job responsibilities in a supportive environment.
Mind & Body Awareness
Programs including yoga, mindfulness, and sensory activities designed to improve body awareness, focus, and emotional regulation for individuals across age groups.
PercUp Provisions
Micro-business and learning lab where individuals with autism gain real-world work experience in a café setting, developing skills in customer service, food preparation, and money management.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Social Skills Development for Neurodiverse Youth 4 activities
- Culinary and life skills trainingProvides culinary arts programs that teach practical life skills, promote independence, and support social connection for individuals with autism through hands-on cooking and food-related activities.
- STEM, gaming, and innovation programsRuns STEM and gaming initiatives that foster innovation, problem-solving, teamwork, and relationship-building among individuals with autism through technology-based and interactive learning experiences.
- Social skills and peer connection programsProvides structured classes and peer-led activities that help individuals with autism build confidence, develop friendships, and form lasting social connections through guided interaction and relationship-building exercises.
- Virtual learning and remote skill developmentProvides virtual, instructor-led classes that enable individuals with autism to safely develop social readiness, problem-solving abilities, and relationship-building skills from remote locations.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
- Employment preparation learning labsOffers learning labs designed to build workplace competencies such as social readiness, collaboration, professional habits, and executive functioning to prepare individuals with autism for employment settings.
- PercUp Provisions hands-on learning lab and micro-businessOperates PercUp Provisions as a real-world work environment where individuals with autism gain employment experience in coffee service, food preparation, retail sales, customer service, money management, and teamwork, while also offering coffee, grab-and-go meals, and sensory-friendly retail goods to the public.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Creative and expressive arts programsOffers music, art, and creative expression programs that help individuals with autism share emotions, build relationships, and develop confidence through structured and instructor-led activities.
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Autism and Neurodiversity Family Support Services 1 activity
- Family support and navigation servicesProvides family support through a Cycle of Support model using multiple Family Navigators based at the Golisano Autism Center to assist families affected by autism across the greater Rochester area.
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Trauma-Informed Yoga and Mindfulness Programs 1 activity
- Mind and body awareness programsOffers instructor-led yoga, mindfulness, and sensory-based classes—including Exploring Sensations, virtual mindfulness, and gentle movement routines—that promote emotional regulation, flexibility, balance, calmness, and focus for individuals with autism.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Skill-building and lifelong learning programs for adults with autismOffers approximately two dozen classes annually through the Full Life Academy focused on skill building, independence, organization, decision-making, self-advocacy, and health awareness for adults with autism who have transitioned from the school system.
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Specialized Summer Camps for Disabilities 1 activity
- Sports, fitness, and physical development programsOffers sports and fitness classes using active play and exercise to improve body awareness, concentration, physical health, and personal growth for individuals with autism.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.31M
Contributions & grants$3.31M62%
Program service revenue$1.72M32%
Investment income$37K1%
Other revenue$235K
expenses
Total expenses$2.64M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$2.11M
Grants paid out$12K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.45M
Cash$742K
Investments$0
Liabilities$205K
Net assets$4.25M
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +158.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 14
- AMY HOLKO — Director
- ANGELO PONTICELLO — CHAIRPERSON
- BRYAN HARRISON — V. CHAIRPERSON
- CLARA WASHINGTON — Director
- DAWN VOGLER ELIAS — Director
- DINA VAZZANA — Director
- HABIBE HAKIQI — Director
- LAURENCE SUGARMAN — Director
- MARC COHEN — Treasurer
- MARK HIGGINS — Director
- NANDINI LABUHN — Director
- NITA SINGH — Secretary
- PETER KARPIEN — Director
- SUZANNAH IADAROLA — Director
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- Golisano Autism Center Partner — Hosts Family Navigators as part of AutismUp's Cycle of Support model.
- Levine Autism Centar at Strong Hospital Partner — Hosted a Family Navigator as part of AutismUp's support model in 2020.
- Stephanie Cobb Partner — Contact person for partnership inquiries related to PercUp Provisions.
- Visionary Sponsors Partner — Corporate or individual sponsors providing financial or in-kind support to AutismUp programs and initiatives.
- Visionary Sponsors Partner — Corporate or individual sponsors providing financial or in-kind support to AutismUp.
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.
- Mind-Body Integration Through Sensory-Motor Engagementmethodology: sensory_motor_integrationBy using movement and multi-sensory experiences, we produce improved self-regulation, confidence, and daily living skills because sensory-motor integration strengthens neural pathways essential for focus, emotional balance, and physical coordination in individuals with autism.
- Parent-Lived Experience as Program Design Enginemethodology: lived_experience_driven_designBy grounding service development in parent-led innovation and lived experience, we produce more relevant and effective support systems because families navigating the autism journey identify gaps and solutions that traditional models overlook.
- Personalized, Individual-Centered Support Modelmethodology: person_centered_approachBy designing individualized programs tailored to the unique needs and evolving life stages of people with autism, we produce greater engagement, skill development, and inclusion because personalized approaches respect neurodiversity and align with real-world challenges and goals.
- Possibility-Centered Community Buildingmethodology: possibility_centered_approachBy focusing on possibilities rather than limitations, we produce incremental personal successes that collectively build an inclusive community because emphasizing strengths fosters motivation, belonging, and social change from within.
- Real-World Workforce Integration via Micro-Business Trainingmethodology: micro_business_training_modelBy operating a micro-business (PercUp Provisions café), we produce employment readiness and practical skill acquisition because hands-on, supported work environments allow individuals with autism to develop confidence, routines, and competencies in authentic settings.