A better life for those with autism.
That’s what drives us.
IMPACT Autism™ seeks to do something bold and remarkable: Change the world for people living with autism.
How?
By funding solutions that help overcome the educational, health and social challenges for adults with autism. Our driving vision of the future is to help build communities where every adult with autism can be an enriched, engaged, healthy and productive citizen in a safe vibrant environment.
“The potential of individuals with autism to become employed and engaged adults is limited more by the failure of systems charged with supporting them than by the challenges associated with having autism.”
- Current State of Services for Adults with Autism sponsored by Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism
A philanthropic organization funding solutions that change lives.
For those of us living and coping with autism, we could not prevail without the positive impact of the people and organizations that serve the autism community. You are the shining lights in the dark places of our journey and we are committed to providing funding for you to thrive. Over our history, we have supported 20 different organizations serving this community.
Organizations we funded in 2024 include:
IMPACT Innovation: A program designed for adults with autism and/or significant behavioral, communication, and sensory support needs. IMPACT is a year-round program that includes lifelong learning, healthy living, and vocational exploration through an inclusive experience on the UC campus.
Timothy Freeman, MD Center for Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities: A national leader in providing healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and training future physicians to care for those with IDD by creating an interdisciplinary center of excellence that provides specialized, coordinated, patient-centered healthcare to this historically underserved population.
Safe Haven Farms: A community of choice for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities offering residential, day and therapeutic equestrian programs in a farm setting.
Inspiring Purpose: Provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with resources, skills, and a sense of community to lead a purposeful and healthy life.
Our challenges are unique. Thankfully so are our leaders.
IMPACT Autism™ is fortunate to have a truly remarkable group of people leading and guiding it. Each is well-versed in autism and the challenges it presents to the people with the condition and those who love and care for them.
Executive Committee
Diana O’Brien, Founder
Paul Kitzmiller, President
Kevin Kappes, Treasurer
Dr. Debbie Burgess, Secretary
Mike Doenges, Board Member at Large
Jake Geglein, Board Member at Large
We’ve come a long way. And, yet we’ve just begun.
IMPACT Autism traces its origins to a fundraising event that started as a kitchen table initiative and became an annual golf tournament, the Mayfield Classic. The event was organized by the family and friends of Diana and David O’Brien, parents of triplets with autism. In its first year, 1999, the O’Brien triplets were 4 years old and the Mayfield Classic raised $10,000. All proceeds went to the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati. In 2006, they established IMPACT Autism with a mission to divide funds raised by the tournament among 15 autism organizations supporting the Greater Cincinnati area. In particular, they wanted to grant funds to organizations that would have the most immediate impact on families living with this disorder. In 2009, IMPACT Autism expanded its vision to focus on finding solutions for adults including education and employment. In that same year we funded a teachers autism training program at UC. In 2014, IMPACT Autism began funding the IMPACT Innovation Program. Kelly, Andrew and Megan O’Brien are adults now. During that time, Impact Autism has remained an all volunteer organization funding programs that change the status quo for adults with autism. While much has changed since the O’Brien triplets were 4 years old, our desire to improve the lives of people with autism has not.
“There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle.”
Robert Alden