May Institute Named a Beneficiary of U.S. Government's Combined Federal Campaign

Earns Prestigious Independent Charities of America Seal of Excellence

RANDOLPH, Mass., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- May Institute, a national network of educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral services for individuals with autism and other special needs, is pleased to announce that it has been named an eligible beneficiary for the Combined Federal Campaign's (CFC) annual multi-million dollar fundraising effort.

One hundred percent of the funds raised by May Institute through the CFC campaign will go towards services for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), particularly children in military families. Because of a shortage of qualified providers and the lack of professional resources near installations, fewer than 10 percent of military children with ASD are receiving critical treatment and care.

Managed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign. For the past six years, the CFC has raised record pledges, with $282 million generated in 2009. These donations directly supported thousands of nonprofit organizations that provide health and human services benefits throughout the world.

Beginning this month, and continuing through December 15, 2010, federal, civilian, postal, and military donors can designate May Institute to receive a campaign gift by writing May Institute's charity identification number (CIN) on pledge forms. May Institute is listed by its DBA (doing business as) category, "Autism, Brain Injury and Mental Health Services for Civilian and Military Families" with the CFC pledge number 11228.

May Institute has been named one of the Best Independent Charities of America by the Children's Medical Charities of America Federation. It also earned the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, awarded to only 0.2% of the one million charities operating in the U.S. today.

"We are honored to be included in this very powerful campaign that generates millions of dollars each year to improve the quality of life for so many," says May Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Walter P. Christian, Ph.D., ABPP. "As the number of individuals requiring specialized care continues to escalate – particularly in the military – so does the need for additional resources and comprehensive support services. Our participation in the CFC will strengthen our ability to provide vital, research-based services to individuals with special needs and their families in both civilian and military populations."

May Institute serves families in all branches of the military – Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard – at more than a dozen installations across the country. Through its May Centers for Autism Spectrum Disorders, children of military families receive comprehensive autism-related behavioral services.

To be eligible to become a beneficiary of the CFC, the Institute underwent a rigorous review and demonstrated that it met the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness.

About May Institute

May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs.

Since its founding 55 years ago, May Institute has evolved into a national network that serves over 25,000 individuals and their families annually. With corporate headquarters in Randolph, Massachusetts, the Institute operates more than 200 service locations across the country. Four May Institute schools serve children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Another school serves students with brain injury.

For more information call 800.778.7601; to donate to May Institute online, visit www.mayinstitute.org.

SOURCE May Institute