Donations Decline At Autism Speaks
Fundraising totals are down at the nation’s largest autism advocacy group, according to newly released financial data.
Autism Speaks took in more than $57.5 million in 2014, some $6.2 million less than the group netted the year prior.
The figures were made public this month in the organization’s tax filing for the 2014 calendar year, which the nonprofit is required to disclose under federal tax rules.
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Documents show that Autism Speaks doled out $15.7 million in grants and spent $23 million on compensation for its 277 employees. The group claims 450,000 volunteers.
CJ Volpe, a spokesman for Autism Speaks, attributed the decline in donations to fewer major fundraising events in 2014.
A biannual winter ball which typically raises $3.4 million was in an off year, Volpe said. The group also did not hold its Blue Tie Blue Jean Ball — a Los Angeles event that’s brought in $600,000 in the past — and Toys “R” Us did not run an in-store fundraiser during Autism Awareness Month, which generally nets $2 million.
“Despite this deficit, our major gifts and social marketing fundraising were up,” he noted.
Volpe declined to offer any specifics on receipts to date this year but said “we expect 2015 to be a strong fundraising year.”
Since its inception, Autism Speaks has raised over $575 million, Volpe said.
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