Serving Children with Special Needs since 1992

More than just a foundation…

Meet Theresa and learn more about what we do!

Our History

About the Theresa Foundation

Since 1992, the Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation has been dedicated to supporting children with special needs and their families by expanding access to art, music, dance, drama, and recreation.

Through our grant program, community initiatives, and projects like Theresa’s Fun Place, we help create opportunities for children of all abilities to express themselves, connect with others, and participate in meaningful activities.

Established in memory of Theresa Alessandra Russo, the Foundation continues her legacy by celebrating each child's unique abilities and helping make these experiences accessible to all.

Our Mission
Young girl with dark skin sitting in a kayak at the beach, smiling, with a woman adjusting her life jacket and a man standing nearby. The scene features water, a partly cloudy sky, and city buildings in the distance.

Theresa Grant Program

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program supports organizations that focus on art, music, dance, drama, and recreation. It is our privilege to help these worthy organizations and programs that improve the lives of individuals with special needs through direct service.

Theresa Grant Program
Two women are sitting at a wooden conference table, engaging in a conversation. One woman, with glasses and black hair, is smiling and holding a pen over a notepad, while the other woman, also with black hair, is looking at her and working on a laptop. They are in a room with a brick wall background.

Theresa Pooled Trusts

The Theresa Pooled Trusts are special types of trusts that allow a beneficiary of any age to become financially eligible for public assistance benefits, such as Medicaid home care, while preserving their monthly income in trust for living expenses and supplemental needs.

Theresa Pooled Trusts
Did you know there's a federally funded program designed to help students with disabilities prepare for the workforce, yet many families don't know it exists?⁠ ⁠ Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS) offer resources to help young people with d
Finding the right group home for a loved one with developmental disabilities is an important decision. 🏡 Our latest blog shares 30 essential questions to help individuals and families make informed decisions when exploring options. Read more at the
Our Annual Holiday Art Contest is back! 🎨 This year’s theme is “Seasons of Wonder,” and we’re inviting artists to share their creativity for a chance to be featured on our 2026 Holiday Card + win a $100 gift card + a $2,500 g
This past May, we honored Harry S. Margolis as the 2026 NAELA Theresa Award recipient! Learn more at the link in our bio about his remarkable career, advocacy, and this year’s charitable grant.

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