About

The Make It Fit Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by autism.

Our mission is to develop and maintain a community of caring, unified, and knowledgeable individuals dedicated to raising money for autism research, treatment, advocacy, education, and family services until there’s an end to autism as we know it.

Make It Fit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Columbus, Ohio. Our name is indicative of our main goals. The puzzle piece has become the symbol for autism awareness; a representation of the puzzle that autism has become. Make It Fit aspires to “fit” the missing pieces together to help bring about more research, better treatment, and someday hopefully a cure for autism.

We will elicit help from individuals in the fitness industry, and in the future we intend to host powerlifts, and 5K and 10K races. We also host a car show, poker run, and other fundraisers, as we continue to rely on motorcycle, car, and truck enthusiasts, our loyal supporters from the very beginning, when The Make It Fit Foundation was nothing but a dream.

In the past we’ve been blessed to be able to support The Autism Society of America, Recreation Unlimited, Cookies 4 iPads, The Lettuce Work Foundation, The Richardson Foundation, The Stynchula Family Foundation, The Autism Society of Ohio, several schools and therapy facilities that specialize in autism spectrum disorders, autism specific nutrition seminars, and The Ingram Autism Research Fund.

Meet Our Founder

Mike Hoover is the father of two boys on the autism spectrum and Founder of The Make It Fit Foundation. Twelve years ago he made a promise to his son, Adam. Watching helplessly as his precious little boy retreated into the depths of autism, Mike vowed to do whatever it took to get him “out”, or die trying.

A few years later he hosted the very first All About Autism Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show, putting it together in a record 6 weeks. The response was overwhelming. Over $12,000 was raised that day, and our first annual event was born. A few years later, he added The Ohio Ride for Autism, a poker-run style event. Once again, the turnout was incredible and thousands of dollars were raised to help kids with autism and their families.

Today, Make It Fit is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Mike’s passionate commitment to helping others has blossomed into a small team of dedicated people passionate about keeping the promise that Mike made to his sons twelve years ago. In 2014, we hosted our 8th Annual All About Autism Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show and our 5th Annual Ohio Ride for Autism. We were also able to host the Second Annual Afterparty Fundraiser with Phil “The Gift” Heath, and the Second Annual Amplified Awareness Concert.  Funds raised in these events have helped send kids with autism to surf camp, provided equine therapy to 30 kids and counting, ensured that families in need had Christmas presents, and provided iPads to over 100 non-verbal children on the spectrum. We’ve supported research at The Ohio State University, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and we were able to give over 100 families affected by autism an opportunity to spend a day at The Columbus Zoo, on us.

In 2015, we’ll add yet another annual event to our repertoire by bringing back the Outrun Autism 5k on April 26th. We hope you’ll join us and help us continue to make a difference in the lives of those affected by autism.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

-Margaret Mead