FY 2025 ANNUAL REPORT

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

2025 was a year of celebration as Pathfinders for Autism marked our 25th Anniversary. On reflecting upon the last quarter century, we asked the families we serve to help define our path forward. Considering this input, PFA has committed to hiring Community Connectors in each geographic region of the state by 2030. Each Community Connector will work at the grassroots level to deliver PFA’s Safety, Community, and Resource programming. Our goal is that all individuals with autism and their families are supported and connected in their very own communities.

EVOLUTION OF PFA

HOW WE BEGAN

SIGNATURE EVENTS

CAMPAIGN EVENTS

MESSAGE FROM
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

COMMUNITY
CONNECTOR
CAMPAIGN

The Community Connector Program will expand awareness and advocacy programs of PFA pillars – Safety, Community and Resource in Maryland’s five geographic regions. PFA will hire and train new community-based professionals in each geographic region in the state to serve as PFA Community Connectors. They will work at the grassroots level to deliver PFA’s Safety, Community, and Resource programming. The first professional will be in place by 2026.

Fundraising

FUNDRAISING
ACROSS MARYLAND

As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations whose support enables us to serve the autism community across Maryland.

Our signature events—such as the Annual Golf & Pickleball Tournaments and Run Wild for Autism—raise critical funds but also help increase awareness among families. This milestone year also featured new celebrations, including the Top Golf Takeover, Poker With a Purpose and our Chairman’s Reception with Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Palmer.

We extend special thanks to the donors who contributed Leadership Gifts to our Community Connector Campaign, including those at the 5 for $50,000 and 25 for $25,000 levels. These contributions are helping us expand services and help us serve more families throughout Maryland.

We ended our 25th Celebration with a private concert featuring multi-platinum recording artists The Goo Goo Dolls who performed at the M&T Bank Exchange.

OUR PILLARS

SAFETY

Educating about the most prevalent safety areas to reduce and prevent the risk of injury and danger through first responder training, scholarships for swim lessons, wandering & elopement awareness, and mock traffic stops.

Growing relationships and educating all Maryland citizens to increase awareness, acceptance and belonging for individuals and their support networks through training, outreach, recreation activities, and adult self-advocacy.

COMMUNITY

Offering guidance for individuals and their support networks in locating providers and information to meet their immediate needs through our help line, provider directory, parent/caregiver education, PFA Tip articles, and a webinar library.