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NEXT FOR AUTISM INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 571136147 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE G05 · Voluntary Health Associations · Medium ($1M-$10M) · nextforautism.org
revenue
$1.7M
expenses
$2.9M
net assets
$2.7M
employees
11
volunteers
18
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

STRATEGICALLY DESIGN/LAUNCH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH ASD.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of autistic adults by designing, launching, and supporting innovative programs across the United States. Focuses on expanding services in employment, housing, social connection, and health through direct program development, grants to autistic-led organizations, and free resource dissemination. Founded in 2003 as New York Collaborates for Autism.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $189K
    COLOR THE SPECTRUM COMMUNITY GRANTS: THE COMMUNITY GRANTS SUPPORT THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO ADULTHOOD IN THE FOLLOWING THREE AREAS: HOME, WORK AND SOCIAL. IN 2024, NEXT AWARDED A TOTAL OF $174,000 IN GRANTS TO 7 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS 7 STATES, ALL OF WHICH WERE AUTISTIC-LED.
  2. #2 $91K
    NEXT FOR AUTISM FELLOWS - IN 2023, NEXT LAUNCHED A NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH AUTISTIC AND NEURODIVERGENT ADULTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS WHILE ALSO ENSURING NEW DSPS ENTER THE WORKPLACE TO SUPPORT AUTISTIC ADULTS. IN 2024, NEXT PROVIDED GRANTS TO 23 FELLOWS ACROSS THREE LOCATIONS. THE FELLOWS DEDICATED 10,790 HOURS TO THE DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP) WORKFORCE, STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF AGENCIES WHILE GAINING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN NEUROAFFIRMING SUPPORT.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Community Grants
Grant funding program supporting autistic-led and community-based organizations in the areas of work, home, social, and health.
NEXT CONNECTS
Bi-directional mentorship program connecting autistic adults transitioning into employment with established professionals to foster neuroinclusive workplaces.
NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS
Employment-based scholarship program providing financial support to students interested in becoming Direct Support Professionals for neurodivergent individuals.
Resources
Free online library of tools and resources for individuals, families, employees, employers, and the community to support neuroinclusion and autism services.
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Co-mentoring and workforce development programs for autistic adults
      Operates a co-mentorship program and curriculum that connects autistic adults with established professionals and provides employment hiring and retention consulting to Fortune 500 companies, including over 20 localized trainings for corporate employees.
  • Special Education Day Schools 1 activity
    • Founding and operation of specialized autism education institutions
      Founded the first charter school in New York exclusively serving children with autism, expanding access to tailored educational programming.
  • Charity Event Organization 1 activity
    • Fundraising through athletic events and benefit performances
      Organizes Team NEXT for AUTISM for the TCS New York City Marathon, offering guaranteed bibs to runners who raise at least $5,000, and produced the Night of Too Many Stars benefit event featuring celebrity performances to raise funds for services supporting autistic adults nationwide.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
    • Funds autistic-led and community-based organizations
      Provides grant funding to autistic-led and community-based organizations working in the areas of work, home, social, and health; supported grantees across 175 organizations nationwide and awarded $174,000 to seven autistic-led organizations across seven states and $119,500 to two organizations providing autism and related disability services in 2024.
  • Autism and Neurodiversity Family Support Services 1 activity
    • Maintains public resource library for autism communities
      Provides and maintains a comprehensive library of tools and resources accessible to individuals, families, employees, employers, and service providers to support understanding and inclusion of autistic people.
  • Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
    • Operates national programs for autistic adults in home, work, social, and health domains
      Runs national initiatives focused on improving outcomes for autistic adults, including programs in housing, employment, social connection, health, and well-being such as the NEXT CONNECTS mentorship program and free workplace resources like bi-directional mentorship, live panels, webinars, and downloadable materials.
  • Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
    • Pilot training programs for direct support professionals
      Conducted pilot training programs in partnership with Arc of Westchester and Arc Palm Beach, reaching over 210 direct support professionals and indirectly benefiting over 480 individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.
  • Autism Awareness and Acceptance Initiatives 1 activity
    • Public awareness and advocacy for autistic adults
      Conducts advocacy and outreach efforts to promote awareness, inclusivity, and equitable opportunities for autistic adults, including hosting annual panel discussions on neurodiverse hiring and employment.
  • Healthcare Education Scholarships and Fellowships 1 activity
    • Scholarship and professional training programs for autism service providers
      Offers the NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS scholarship program providing financial support to individuals working with college students interested in careers supporting autistic adults; provided grants to 23 fellows in 2024 who contributed 10,790 hours to the direct support professional workforce and established a professional training center in partnership with Hunter College.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Designs and launches innovative autism service programs nationally
      Strategically designs, launches, and supports innovative programs to improve autism services across the United States in partnership with service organizations, medical centers, universities, and educational institutions.
    • Partnership-based autism care and research centers
      Co-founded and co-created the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB) with New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University, and Weill Cornell Medicine to advance clinical care, research, and training in autism services.
    • Research on neuroinclusive workplaces
      Conducted a mixed-methods research study on workplace support for autistic employees involving over 400 respondents across the autism spectrum to inform best practices in inclusive employment.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.72M
Contributions & grants$1.69M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$52K3%
Other revenue$-26K
expenses
Total expenses$2.88M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising19%
Salaries & benefits$1.61M
Grants paid out$843K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.98M
Cash$2.03M
Investments$0
Liabilities$275K
Net assets$2.70M
Liquid reserves8.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -26.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
GILLIAN LEEK PRESIDENT, CEO 40 $312K
PAMELA COHEN CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 40 $186K
AMY WALLACE CFO 32 $163K
ABBY JAYROE SVP, STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 40 $159K
HOLLY WAINWRIGHT VP MARKETING & COMMUNICATION 40 $150K
KELLY FLEMING SR. DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT 40 $122K
board members · 18
  • ARLENE MAIDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • BELLANCA SMIGEL RUTTER — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRISTOPHER WALLACE — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID SCHWARTZBAUM — BOARD MEMBER
  • DOUG HERZOG — BOARD MEMBER
  • HARRY SLATKIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JEN CLARK — BOARD MEMBER
  • JIM HOGAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOHN STEWART — BOARD MEMBER
  • KAREN SIFF EXKORN — BOARD MEMBER
  • LAURA SLATKIN — CO-CHAIR
  • MICHAEL AUERBACH — SECRETARY
  • MICHELLE SMIGEL — CO-CHAIR
  • ROBERT SMIGEL — BOARD MEMBER
  • SHARON CUNNINGHAM — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEVEN KANTOR — TREASURER
  • TOMMY HILFIGER — BOARD MEMBER
  • TRACEY STEWART — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 45

Who they work with

  • Anita Bhatia Foundation for Tomorrow Funder — Funded the 2026 mixed-methods study on workplace support for autistic employees.
  • Arc Palm Beach Partner — Partnered with Arc Palm Beach on pilot training programs for direct support professionals.
  • Arc of Westchester Partner — Partnered with Arc of Westchester on pilot training programs for direct support professionals.
  • Bhatia Family Foundation Funder — Foundation providing support to NEXT for AUTISM.
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Project SEARCH Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Columbia University Partner — Co-founded the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB).
  • Columbia University Partner — Co-founded the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain.
  • Columbia University Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Comedy Central Partner — Media partner for the Night of Too Many Stars benefit event.
  • Cornell University Partner — Co-founded the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain.
  • Facebook Network — Follows and shares content on Facebook to stay connected with supporters.
  • Foot Locker Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Hunter College Partner — Collaborated to establish a professional training center for autism services.
  • Hunter College at the City University of New York Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Instagram Network — Engages supporters through Instagram by sharing posts and encouraging network participation.
  • JCC Manhattan Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • LinkedIn Network — Uses LinkedIn to connect professionally and share updates about NEXT for AUTISM’s work.
  • NEST New York Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • New York Road Runners Partner — Collaborates with NYRR to provide guaranteed marathon entries to Team NEXT for AUTISM runners.
  • New York-Presbyterian Partner — Co-founded the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB).
  • New York-Presbyterian Partner — Co-founded the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain.
  • New York-Presbyterian Hospital Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Puma Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation Partner — Co-hosts an annual panel discussion on neurodiverse hiring and employment.
  • Sago Partner — Research partner in the development and execution of a 2026 study on workplace support for autistic employees.
  • Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation Funder — Foundation providing support to NEXT for AUTISM.
  • Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Soho Grand Hotel Partner — Hosted the "Cocktails for a Cause" event in 2019.
  • Sunshine Foundation Partner — Collaborates to enhance services for people with autism and co-create programs.
  • Sunshine Foundation Partner — Partner organization collaborating with NEXT for AUTISM.
+ 15 more
strategies · 4

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.

  • Autistic-Led and Lived-Experience-Grounded Initiatives
    methodology: participatory_community_led
    By directing funding and research toward autistic-led organizations and involving neurodivergent individuals in program design and analysis, we ensure authenticity and relevance, because programs rooted in lived experience produce greater community trust, engagement, and impact.
  • Innovative Program Design for Systemic Change
    methodology: innovation-driven_program_design
    By creating and scaling cutting-edge educational, clinical, and vocational programs, we transform outdated models of autism services to produce more effective and equitable outcomes, because innovation grounded in best practices drives fundamental shifts in service delivery.
  • Life-Stage and Lifespan-Aligned Programming
    methodology: lifespan_approach
    By aligning services with the developmental and life stages of autistic individuals, we increase relevance and effectiveness, because needs evolve across the lifespan and interventions must adapt to support fulfillment and productivity at every phase.
  • Train-the-Trainer Capacity Building
    methodology: train_the_trainer
    By equipping professionals with skill-based training models they can replicate, we amplify impact across organizations, because sustainable change occurs when frontline staff are empowered to improve health, belonging, and choice for autistic adults.