2023/2024Grant Impact Report
Empowering Autistic-Led and Community-Based Programs and Services That Support Autistic Adults
Photo courtesy of TEVA Community, a NEXT for AUTISM grantee. About TEVA Community
Learn more about NEXT's grants funding and overall impact
Our Mission
At NEXT for AUTISM, we believe that everyone deserves to live a productive and fulfilling life
To achieve this vision, we strategically design, launch, and support innovative programs that transform the national landscape of services for autistic individuals in the areas of home, work, social, and health.
Alongside signature initiatives — NEXT CONNECTS and NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS The grants program enables us to magnify our impact by investing in the talents of amazing people and organizations throughout the United States. We rely on a team of neurodivergent and neurotypical partners to ensure that our programs have the widest impact. Together, we are creating what’s next for autism.
Photo courtesy of TEVA Community, a NEXT for AUTISM grantee.
About TEVA Community
15 organizations nationwide
Autistic-led
Autistic individuals were served thanks to these grants
“Without SNACK, many of our young adults would be isolated at home without services.”
Jackie Ceonzo
Executive Director/Founder, SNACK
Gillian Leek
CEO
NEXT for AUTISM
Letter from CEO
The success of NEXT for AUTISM’s grants program is a testament to a broad network of people dedicated to ensuring autistic adults have access to meaningful programs and resources nationwide. I invite you to take a few moments to learn more about the inspiring and meaningful impact of the 2023/24 grantees in the following Grant Impact Report.
Letter from CEO
The success of NEXT for AUTISM’s grants program is a testament to a broad network of people dedicated to ensuring autistic adults have access to meaningful programs nationwide. Co-created by Michelle and Robert Smigel, Night of Too Many Stars funds the NEXT for AUTISM grants program, which impacts thousands of lives each year in the areas of home, work, social, and health.
In the 2023/24 grants cycle, NEXT awarded $527,120 to 15 organizations nationwide; 60% of the grants supported autistic-led organizations. These organizations received funding in 2023/24 and implemented their projects over the course of 2024/25. This report highlights the outcomes and impact of that work. To date, NEXT has raised more than $30 million, supporting 160 organizations nationwide.
This year, we launched NEXT COLLABORATES as an extension of our grant program. COLLABORATES is designed to unite NEXT grantees and expand our overall impact in the autism community. In addition to in-person and virtual meetings throughout the year, the grantees stay connected via a private Facebook group and the sharing of resources.
I invite you to take a few moments to learn more about the inspiring and meaningful impact of the 2023/24 grantees in the following Grant Impact Report.
Thank you,
Gillian Leek
CEO
NEXT For AUTISM
Success
Celebrating the Impact of 2023/24 Grantees
The impact of the 2023/24 grantee recipients is clear based on the outcomes of their work and direct impact on the individuals and communities they serve.
In 2023, NEXT provided
15 organizations nationwide
The grantees implemented their projects in 2024; here are their reported outcomes.
Grants by Category
Social
Work
Home
By Grantee/Organization Type
Autistic-led
Community-based
Autistic individuals were served thanks to these grants
NOTE: Three grants in this cycle are “founding grants,” indicating that this is the first time they are receiving outside funding. NEXT is proud to have a history of identifying and funding new programs that deliver meaningful services for the adult autism community.
Learn more about NEXT's grants funding and overall impact
“I just want to cry with joy right now that I have found this group. It is truly life-saving.”
Participant
AANE autistic-led support group
The Granting Process:
Prioritizing Areas of Need
Programs that focus on supporting services for autistic adults are severely underfunded, with most funding targeting children and research. Through our grants program, NEXT for AUTISM empowers autistic-led and community-based initiatives to create meaningful change in three focus areas:
Work
Enhancing employment opportunities for autistic adults.
Home
Improving living environments for autistic individuals.
Social
Fostering connections, friendships, and community integration.
Starting with the 2025/26 grants cycle, NEXT will introduce a fourth category—Health, for programs that focus on promoting access to healthcare, mental health support, and wellness resources for autistic individuals.
The Granting Process:
Strict Guidelines
To ensure that every dollar invested translates into tangible and meaningful outcomes, NEXT for AUTISM employs a rigorous and inclusive decision-making process. We engage two review committees, comprised of internal and external reviewers with a range of neurodiverse perspectives. Each reviewer uses a rubric to evaluate applications; the committee then convenes to discuss the highest-scoring submissions.
Each application is reviewed based on the same set of criteria, including the following areas: innovation, impact, support of underserved populations (e.g. poverty, POC, rural, nonspeaking), and clearly defined outcomes that are measurable and achievable.
All grantees agree to comply with robust accountability measures via year-end reporting.
Through this Pave the Way to Employment campaign initiative, our young adults learned new skills that will transfer to new job opportunities, further promoting their independence and overall well-being.
Jodi Taggart
Elija
Introducing
NEXT Collaborates
To ensure the success of our grantees, the NEXT team performs regular check-ins with the funded organizations to make sure that they are on track to meet the goals of their grant.
As an added support, and based on community feedback, NEXT launched its NEXT COLLABORATES initiative this year. NEXT COLLABORATES is a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among grantees and addressing critical needs within the autism community.
Through NEXT’s unique vantage point, reviewing hundreds of grant applications and engaging deeply with service providers nationwide, we have observed a shared set of challenges: disconnection, resource scarcity, and a growing need for professional development.
NEXT COLLABORATES is funded thanks to a generous grant from the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation.
“Our retreats were wildly successful and we more than met the prescribed outcomes of the grant. We were able to provide opportunities to even more nonspeaking autistic AAC users, communication partners, and family members. In addition, we were able to train more volunteers, support staff, practitioners, and therapists than projected in the initial grant.”
Sara Reisman
President, TEVA Community
Grantee Highlights
Home-related grant projects work to improve living environments for autistic individuals and support their development of skills to live a more fulfilling and rewarding life.Work-related grant projects focus on building and enhancing employment opportunities for autistic adults through training, real-world experience, and mentorship.Social-related grant projects focus on programs that foster connections, friendships, and community integration.Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults
Autistic-led
ELIJA Transitional Program and Services (TPS)
Community-based
Drexel University
Community-based
Autastic
Autistic-led
AANE (The Association for Autism and Neuro-diversity)
Autistic-led
Home-related grant projects work to improve living environments for autistic individuals and support their development of skills to live a more fulfilling and rewarding life.Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults
Autistic-led
Work-related grant projects focus on building and enhancing employment opportunities for autistic adults through training, real-world experience, and mentorship.ELIJA Transitional Program and Services (TPS)
Community-based
Drexel University
Community-based
Social-related grant projects focus on programs that foster connections, friendships, and community integration.Autastic
Autistic-led
AANE (The Association for Autism and Neuro-diversity)
Autistic-led
Autistic-led
Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults
About:
Full Spectrum Agency (FSA) is a fully autistic-led and operated organization, building community, friendship, and mutual support for autistic adults across the U.S. Their work is centered on creating connection, offering not only support but purpose, belonging, and agency to those who often feel overlooked. FSA meets the real-life needs of its members with compassion, flexibility, and an unwavering belief in autistic peer leadership. Many members and leaders live below the poverty line, making the organization's services not just valuable, but vital.
Katie Oswald
Founder, Full Spectrum Agency
Program:
Full Spectrum expanded its Virtual Village on the Circle platform and launched its Timebank Platform Expansion Project. The virtual community grew to 218 members (119 autistic), far surpassing original goals. The Time Exchange launched as an extension of the virtual community, now with 9 active members and 19 more onboarding. Volunteers hosted 156 peer-led events with more than 1,700 collective attendees, including support groups, book clubs, and discussion spaces, often described by members as the only place they've truly felt seen. The grant also enabled FSA to pay volunteer leaders modest stipends, which led to an unexpected flourishing of new groups. What began as a single program turned into a thriving ecosystem of mutual support. While the platform analytics differed from initial expectations, engagement remained strong, with 87 members active monthly. The grant also enabled FSA to pay volunteer leaders modest stipends, which led to an unexpected flourishing of new groups. What began as a single program turned into a thriving ecosystem of mutual support.
By the Numbers:
218 members engaged
119 autistic peers
56 events hosted
~1,746 attendees
9 members in Time Exchange (19 onboarding)
"This is the first time I've made a friend in my life." FSA program participant
Community-based
ELIJA Transitional Program and Services (TPS)
About:
Based on Long Island, ELIJA TPS is a dynamic program focused on preparing autistic young adults for meaningful, community-based employment. With a hands-on, strengths-focused approach, ELIJA uses farming, culinary, and vocational training to foster independence, skill-building, and social engagement. Their programs are rooted in real-world tasks that translate directly to job readiness, cultivating confidence along with crops. Through community-facing efforts like their farm and café, ELIJA bridges the gap between learning and livelihood.
Program:
ELIJA launched the Pave the Way to Employment initiative by establishing a vibrant on-site Marketplace at the ELIJA Farm. This community-facing shop, stocked with salads, quiches, baked goods, and more, prepared by learners using farm-grown produce, has become a training ground for developing essential job skills. Twelve young adults participated in the pilot program, learning food prep, inventory, customer service, and money-handling, all with guidance from skilled BCBA instructors. The Marketplace not only fostered new skills and independence but also expanded learners’ ability to engage with community members, easing sensory sensitivities and promoting confidence. Two participants were identified as ready for competitive employment, and the Marketplace now generates weekly revenue that offsets program costs and expands outreach. Most meaningfully, participants gained a new sense of purpose alongside measurable steps toward long-term independence.
By the Numbers:
12 young adults served
$300–$400/week in sales
2 participants identified as employment-ready
5-10 new community visitors weekly
“The program gave us a way to connect with our community while teaching real skills and building pride.” Jodi Taggart, ELIJA
Community-based
Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults
About:
Drexel University’s Autism Institute leads efforts to promote equitable employment for autistic individuals through research-informed, community-based programming.
Drexel program intern
Program:
In partnership with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), Drexel’s team supports job seekers and employees in navigating every step of the employment journey, from the interview process to retention and advancement. Their work emphasizes tailored support, accessibility, and systemic change, making public institutions more inclusive and neurodiversity-aware. This grant-funded initiative exemplifies their commitment to practical, sustainable pathways to employment for individuals with disabilities. Drexel’s team supported 101 individuals with autism or other disabilities in seeking, securing, or advancing employment within the School District of Philadelphia. Of the 61 job seekers who applied for roles, 24 were hired into diverse departments, including food service, custodial, transportation, and educational services. An additional 40 employees already working in the district received support to strengthen or elevate their positions. Beyond direct service, Drexel trained 253 professionals, including 246 food service managers and 7 district leaders, in neurodiversity awareness and inclusive workplace practices. Visual tools were developed to streamline the union job bidding process and onboarding in school kitchens, helping to break down barriers to understanding and access. Instructor and staff feedback highlighted the program’s value in reducing anxiety, boosting capacity, and sparking inclusive conversations across the district.
By the Numbers:
101 individual supported
61 job seekers applied to the School District of Philadelphia
24 hired
40 retained/advanced roles
253 professionals trained
$14.50/hr average wage
“The support received… made the application and onboarding much smoother. I hope it continues to allow future interns the same success.”
Autistic-led
Autastic
About:
Autastic is a proudly autistic-led organization created to hold space for those too often overlooked in autism support circles, especially Black and Afro Latine adults newly diagnosed or self-identified. With a deeply intentional and culturally responsive approach, Autastic prioritizes trust, accessibility, and identity-affirming engagement. The organization reflects a profound belief that Black autistic people deserve not only support, but support that is specific, safe, and empowering. Through digital gatherings and guided discussions, Autastic fosters healing, discovery, and pride.
Program:
Autastic launched #AutisticBIPOC: A New Beginning After Learning You’re Autistic, a program designed to support Black adults within one year of discovering their autistic identity. Two cohorts gathered for a total of 12 live events, exploring topics like unmasking, community connection, and culturally relevant resources. Feedback was overwhelmingly encouraging, participants expressed deep appreciation for the flexibility, validation, and communal understanding.
By the Numbers:
13 autistic BIPOC adults served
12 live events delivered
2 cohorts completed
75% rated experience “Very positive,” 25% “Extremely positive”
100% said participation level was “just right
“NEXT made my life less stressful. I could center the Black autistic community without scrambling just to exist. That support was everything.” Diane J. Wright, Founder, Autastic
Autistic-led
AANE (The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity)
About:
AANE is an autistic-led organization that creates inclusive spaces where autistic adults are seen, heard, and supported. Grounded in the belief that shared experience is powerful, AANE’s programs center the voices of autistic people across the spectrum of identity and age. With a strong focus on community-building and personal growth, the organization fosters a sense of connection that can be life-changing. Their work is a model of peer-led, identity-affirming support.
Program:
AANE brought warmth, connection, and care to thousands through its autistic-led support Calls and Groups. They hosted 84 multi-session groups and 478 single-session gatherings, serving over 2,700 individuals navigating isolation, identity, and life transitions. An additional 721 individualized calls offered one-on-one support, guidance, and reassurance, often at moments when participants felt most alone. The groups uplifted autistic adults from across the spectrum, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and older individuals, and more than 2,100 community members received financial assistance to attend. The impact was profound: participants found not just information, but belonging. NEXT’s grant helped AANE meet growing demand and sustain its compassionate, community-led model of care.
By the Numbers:
3,439 autistic adults served
478 single-session groups
84 multi-session groups
721 individual support calls
2,166 financial aid recipients
171 BIPOC
390 LGBTQIA
“The whole session felt like a big sigh of relief. It's a different experience for BIPOC people to be on the spectrum, so it was great to find peers here.”
National Reach & Impact
NEXT grant funding has a national footprint, reaching organizations and individuals across the U.S. NEXT has funded grants in 37 states and territories, 2023-2024.
Social
Work
Home
Thank You
Special thanks to our leading corporate supporters of the Night of Too Many Stars event, whose generosity directly fuels our grants program, and to the event’s creators and producers, Robert and Michelle Smigel.
