Autism Speaks Canada is a 3-star charity that has best practices in financial transparency. It has a B+ results reporting grade which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 45 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Autism Speaks was founded in the U.S. in 2005, and Autism Speaks Canada (AUSC) was established in 2006. AUSC works to advance research and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It addresses challenges like social, communication, and sensory issues linked to ASD. In Canada, about one in 66 children are diagnosed with ASD, often facing social, economic, and health challenges, along with conditions like ADHD, OCD, and mood disorders.

Autism Speaks Canada shares Autism Speaks’ ten-year (2016-2026) vision to improve support through better services, advocacy, research, and inclusion. As it nears the vision's final phase, it focuses on expanding resources and enhancing the quality of life for those with autism.

Autism Speaks Canada runs three main programs: Research and Grants, Collaboration and Awareness, and Services and Support

In F2023, Research and Grants made up 50% of program spending ($1.3m including $150k for grants promised in previous years). In AUSC’s T3010 filing with the CRA, it states that it gave out four grants: $800k to Hospital for Sick Children, $68k to Holland Bloorview, $44k to McGill University, and $23k to The Governors of University of Alberta. Autism Speaks Canada does not mention these grants in its Annual Report or in a prominent place on its website. The charity says research helps educate health professionals, improve early diagnosis, and understand the genetic causes of ASD. In F2023, Autism Speaks Canada disbursed 29 Micro-Grants to autistic, Indigenous, and underserved youth across Canada. This is meant to promote autism acceptance, community support, advocacy, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA).

In F2023, Collaboration and Awareness made up 25% of program spending ($555k). In F2023, AUSC hosted the seventh annual virtual Spectrum Works Job Fair, with 23 employers, 57 service providers and 650+ autistic participants. AUSC also worked with partners on the 2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey to study COVID-19 impacts on autistic individuals. Results are now available here. 

In F2023, Services and Support made up 24% of program spending ($536k). AUSC’s Autism Response Team reports supporting over 505 unique inquiries from every province in F2023. The three most served audiences were: caregivers, self-advocates, and community members. The three most inquired stages were adults (22+), school age (4-12), and young children (0-3). Autism Speaks Canada provides access to over 1,200 necessary resources and services through its My Autism Guide, reaching over 2,500 Canadians. It reports the three most popular resource categories being: health, family and community, and therapies and innovations.

Autism Speaks Canada received $2.4m in donations and special events revenue in F2023. AUSC spent $2.3m on program costs and grants, which is 82% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 20% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 35% of donations and special events revenue (excluding related party transactions). This results in total overhead spending of 55%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 45 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls outside of Ci’s reasonable range of 65 to 95 cents for overhead spending.

Autism Speaks Canada has $2.7m in reserve funds, which means the charity can cover around one year and two months of program costs using its existing reserves.

The charity has funding commitments to SickKids Foundation and the Wise Family Foundation to fund research in autism science. The charity has committed $232k in 2024 and $181k in 2025.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Autism Speaks Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 16, 2024 by Alexia Tudose.