Autism Society of Minnesota

Enhancing the Lives of All Who Are Part of the Minnesota Autism Community

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is a nonprofit membership organization that creates connections, empowering everyone in the autism community with the resources needed to live fully.
In 2025, the CDC reported that 1 in 28 8-year-olds in Minnesota had an autism diagnosis. The same data underscored the systemic disparities in timely and equitable diagnosis in children from Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities. This highlights barriers in access, clinician bias, and lack of culturally responsive care.

AuSM seeks to enhance the lives of all who are part of the Minnesota autism community, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.
Executive Director Ellie Wilson is leading AuSM’s team to remain steadfast in its commitment to center autistic voices, uphold dignity, and combat misinformation with truth, empathy, and science.

A camper at AuSM’s Camp Discovery gaining confidence at the ropes course; courtesy of AuSM

“The Minnesota Autism Community is diverse, complex, and deserving of acceptance, inclusion, and meaningful support. AuSM’s mission extends far beyond the statewide community of autistic individuals and families to all kinds of professional and community stakeholders. With the help of Propel’s extremely diligent staff, leadership programs, and lending services, we are supported to enhance the impact that our community desperately needs. From our own volunteer Board Treasurer to our amazing lending officer we are profoundly grateful for the time, talent, and skill that we can access through Propel. We cannot thank the team enough for the ways it makes AuSM stronger!”
– Ellie Wilson, Executive Director of AuSM

AuSM’s Policy Director Jillian Nelson speaks at the annual Disability Day on the Hill;
courtesy of AuSM

Propel’s Work with AuSM

Propel is a longtime partner of AuSM through technical assistance and accounting and finance services. In FY25, AuSM got its first working capital line of credit with Propel to assist the organization in managing cash flow. Additionally, Propel Senior Accounting and Finance Consultant John Skillings serves on AuSM’s board.

Learn more about lending at Propel Nonprofits

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This story was originally published in Propel’s Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report

Staff Author

Andrea Sanow

Andrea is the Marketing & Communications Director at Propel Nonprofits. She’s worked in the nonprofit sector for almost 15 years and serves on two nonprofit boards. She holds a BA and an MFA in Creative Writing from Augsburg University.

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