LTO Ventures is a tax-exempt non-profit company under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code since Sept. 2011.  If you are an individual, organization or foundation evaluating charities for end-of-fiscal-year donations, we would be deeply grateful if you would consider LTO Ventures.  Please read down through this newsletter to see how we use donated monies and our plans for 2014. For options on making a charitable contribution, visit the DONATE page of our website.

LTO Ventures had its best year so far in 2013 and we're not quite done. (P.S.  You can still help make it even better!)

• Donations increased 138% over 2012, including several of our largest ever single charitable contributions, from a rapidly-growing base of supporters
• Launched our Autism Entrepreneurs Center
• Added two new extraordinary board members
• Advocated for the human and civil rights of persons with disabilities, including those with autism, to choose their residential setting from the broadest array of options, including taking our message to Capitol Hill
• Consulted on existing and emerging planned community projects around the US
• Helped found the Coalition for Community Choice (read below in this newsletter)

We expect our momentum of 2013 to build in 2014 and bring our community vision closer to reality, but the truth is we just can't move fast enough.  An estimated 50,000 kids with autism reach adulthood every year in the U.S., and many of them will need a place to live.  In Nevada, the number of school-age children with autism in 2013 is 5,145, up 79% from 2,875 in 2008.

We have a $50,000 fundraising goal for 2014 to help us:

- rent space to house our Autism Entrepreneurs Center

- recruit board of directors, advisory board members
- engage legal and accounting professionals
- develop our concept plan with our architect/planner
- implement outreach programs to adults with autism

- advocate in Nevada and across the US

- put on fundraising and informational events

Please visit the DONATE page of our website and use one of the methods we provide to make a donation in any amount to help us develop residences, jobs and social and recreational activities for hundreds of adults with autism. 

Please visit our Careers page if you would like a role in the LTO Ventures organization, or would like to recommend someone to us.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Jenai Gaccione to our board of directors. Jenai is a social worker with several years experience in community development. She has more than 10 years experience working directly with families and more than four years experience developing and managing housing programs. She takes pride in being a part of the Airmount Woods development team in Ramsey, NJ, along with other special needs housing communities including award-winning Orchard Commons and Crescent Commons. Jenai has a BSW degree from Dominican College and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Fordham University, with a concentration in Client-centered Management.