Community

Dollars at Work

Your Donations at Work

Here’s what your donations support right here in our community:

• Outreach and educational materials for community events
• Digital resources for our NEW!  CARD e-Library
• Kaleisia Family Development Project
• Autism Health & Wellness Symposium
• Autism resources for local libraries
• State of the art computer lab and software available to individuals, families and professionals
• Autism Fits business initiative
• Classroom support and training materials

Autism Library Collection

Through a large memorial donation, CARD has purchased many resources on autism spectrum disorders for the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI) Research Library. The FMHI Research Library and CARD-USF collaborate to keep relevant, quality materials related to autism available in the Library. Anyone is welcome to use the Library. To learn more about the collection, visit our Autism Library page.

Photo Gallery: Fundraising & Special Events

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Support CARD USF

Support YOUR community.
Money raised here STAYS HERE!

Ways to Support CARD:

• Make a donation
• Become a CARD Champion
• Host an event
• Sponsor an event
• Attend an event

Why help? CARD-USF provides communities, organizations, agencies, service providers and families with the knowledge and skills to support children and adults with autism and related disabilities.  We also work with early intervention, schools, employers, and colleges and universities. 

We invite you to join CARD-USF in its mission to support families and professionals to become educated, networked and coordinated to create a welcoming community for ALL people.

Autism Endowment Fund Needs Your Support!

The Autism Endowment Fund at the USF Foundation needs your support to become fully endowed. The purpose of this endowment is to support the ongoing operating expenses of CARD-USF. Through the generous donations and pledges of CARD's Development Leadership Council and friends of CARD, the Autism Endowment Fund was established in Spring 2009. If you would like to support the Autism Endowment Fund, donations and pledges can be made online or by check payable to USF Foundation and note the endowment in the subject line. Your gift will support CARD and special projects right here in our community for a lifetime!

Questions? For more information on how you can support CARD-USF, call 813-974-2532 or email us.

Informational Materials about Supporting CARD-USF

Your Dream. Their Dream. Brochure Families impacted by autism have the same dreams you do. Over 19,000 individuals found their way to CARD-USF for help. CARD-USF needs YOUR donations to find our way to the estimated 53,575 families who still need to know they can count on CARD today.

CARD Legislative Flyer This flyer provides the reader with an annual snapshot of statewide CARD services and needs in order to educate legislators and community members.

Snapshot Flyer Check out more projects and activities supported by your donations dollars.

CARD Champion

Be a CARD Champion!

CARD Champions financially support the autism services CARD provides within our community.

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD) is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education and all services are provided free of charge. However, resources are limited and CARD relies on private support for a variety of services and programs not covered by state funding.
There is a growing number of newly diagnosed children and adults, resulting in a disparity between services CARD has been mandated to provide and the funds appropriated. Now, more than ever, we need help from our CARD CHAMPIONS so that CARD can continue to provide individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and their families, the support they need.

Your gift helps provide:

• State of the art computer lab and software available to individuals, families, and professionals at no cost
• Unique and innovative projects developed by CARD-USF
• Autism Health & Wellness Symposiums and other workshops for families and professionals
• Safety strategies & swimming lessons
• Engaging Autism Friendly Businesses

Autism Services Fund


Yes! I would like to make a tax deductible donation to CARD-USF's Autism Services Fund at USF Foundation.

Donate Now
• And much more!

Two ways to become a CARD Champion:

1. Donate to CARD's Autism Services Fund in the amount of $100 or more. Donate now!
   
2. Host or chair a fundraiser for CARD. Contact Christine Rover crover@usf.edu or 813-974-9264.

All CARD Champions receive a "CARD Champion, Supporting Autism" lapel pin (pictured above) so you can show the community you are a champion!

Of course we gratefully welcome all donations. All gifts are made through the Autism Services Fund at the University of South Florida Foundation, Inc.

Fundraising Events

Fundraising Events Benefitting CARD-USF

The following are fundraising events hosted by CARD-USF and Friends of CARD in support of CARD-USF's autism programs.

Date October 7, 2022 CARD's Fiesta by the Bay for Autism Rumba the night away at our annual fundraiser benefiting the CARD-USF Autism Services Fund! Join CARD-USF as we make a difference in the lives of thousands of families impacted by ASD in our community.

Sponsor an Event!

There are many ways that your company or organization can help support the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD-USF). These include:

• making a direct financial contribution
• sponsoring an event run by CARD-USF (such as Fiesta by the Bay)
• having your employer match your gift
• donating gifts of stock and/or securities
• donating auction items
• organizing/hosting a fundraiser to benefit CARD

Host an Event!

Share your special talents!

Do you have a special talent or would you like to host an event to support the work of CARD-USF?  Please give us a call and we’ll collaborate to present a fabulous fundraiser.  You can be certain the funds raised at our local events stay right here, supporting special projects and activities offered at no charge to families and professionals in your community!

Ready to get started? Please review our Event Hosting Guidelines.

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Past Fundraisers benefitting CARD-USF, Hosted by CARD Supporters

5/3 Bank: Jeans for a Cause

A check was presented to CARD-USF from 5/3 Bank employees who paid $5 to wear jeans each Friday throughout the month of November. 

Fowler White Boggs: Casual Day for a Cause

“Casual Day for a Cause” raised awareness and over $400 of support by Fowler White Boggs employees during April, Autism Awareness Month.

Project: Rock for Autism

Speaking of talent—started by a group of high school students who put their talents to work to create an annual event, Project: Rock for Autism, has raised over $7,000 with hundreds of guests listening to great music by area bands!

CrossRoads Community Church: Tee it up for CARD

CrossRoads Community Church selected CARD as the beneficiary of its annual golf tournaments raising over $7,000 to support additional projects for CARD’s constituents.  And the Tampa Bay Greater Telecommunications Employees and Retirees Golf Association played to support CARD.

Barnes and Noble, The Shops at Wiregrass: Bookfair and Story Time

Nearly 300 families and professionals joined the CARD and Barnes and Noble staff during storytimes and educator appreciation night for a presentation, “Including Students with Autism in Your Classroom”.  A portion of the purchases made during the Bookfair were donated to CARD by Barnes and Noble.

Tampa Woman’s Club: 61st Annual Fashionollia, Fashion Show and Luncheon

Hundreds of guests enjoyed a fabulous lunch and a fashion show featuring local celebrities, including Buccaneer, Michael Clayton and his beautiful wife. Event benefitted CARD as well as local charities.

Charlotte County MotorSports Park: Autism Awareness Night at the Races

Charlotte County MotorSports Park in Punta Gorda hosted Autism Awareness Night at the Races and CARD constituents could be found riding in the pace car, dropping the green flag and congratulating the winners.  A few drivers could be seen sporting the new CARD bumper sticker too!