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THE JOHN THEISSEN CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION INC

WANTAGH, NY · EIN 113361248 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE E86 · Health Care · Medium ($1M-$10M) · jtcf.org
revenue
$2.2M
expenses
$2.1M
net assets
$1.4M
employees
0
volunteers
35
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

TO HELP SICK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH DONATIONS OF TOYS, CLOTHING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND MONEY. THE DONATIONS OF MONEY ARE FOR MEDICAL

profile · synthesized from sources

The John Theissen Children's Foundation provides direct support to sick and underprivileged children from birth to age 18, primarily on Long Island, NY. It delivers new toys, clothing, school supplies, medical equipment, and financial assistance for medical expenses, while operating programs like a family fun center, transportation services, and therapeutic activities. Founded in 1992 by John Theissen after his own hospitalization, the organization runs year-round initiatives to improve children's well-being and reduce family burdens.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $75K
    DONATED CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER
  2. #2 $71K
    PAID FOR MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ON BEHALF OF SICK CHILDREN INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AIRLINE TICKETS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, SCHOOL EXPENSES, WHEELCHAIRS, ETC.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Back to School Program
Provides new clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies to underprivileged children in kindergarten through high school before the start of the academic year
Family Fun Center
A free, seven-day-a-week recreational facility with gaming stations, candy and treat areas, arcade games, and arts-and-crafts activities for sick and underprivileged children to celebrate birthdays or treatment milestones
Medical Expenses/Wish Giving
Provides financial assistance for medical bills and fulfills individual wishes for sick children, with requests submitted by hospitals, agencies, or social workers
Smiles and Miles Transportation Program
Provides free transportation for sick children and their families to hospitals, clinics, and recreational events using a luxury 12-passenger van equipped with entertainment and snacks
Surf’s Up For Kids
Offers free therapeutic pony care and assisted riding for children battling cancer, life-threatening illnesses, or special needs at The Red Barn in Old Brookville, NY
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 2 activities
    • Distributing toys to sick and underprivileged children
      Distributes new toys to sick and underprivileged children during the holiday season and fulfills pediatric patient wishlists year-round. Since 1992, has donated over one million new toys to children across more than 180 hospitals and child-care facilities.
    • Organizing and facilitating community donation drives
      Engages schools, workplaces, and organizations in collecting toys and school supplies through annual toy drives and community service activities, including staffing events and distributing flyers.
  • Adaptive Equipment Provision 1 activity
    • Donating therapeutic and recreational equipment to facilities
      Provides therapeutic and recreational equipment to hospitals and child-care facilities to support the well-being of sick and underprivileged children.
  • Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
    • Operating a Family Fun Center for eligible children
      Operates a multi-zone recreational facility with gaming, arcade machines, arts-and-crafts, and treats for sick and underprivileged children, offering free, year-round access seven days a week.
  • Back-to-School Supply Distribution 1 activity
    • Providing clothing and school supplies to low-income children
      Distributes new clothes and school supplies annually in late August or early September to low-income children in kindergarten through high school. Since 2001, has provided these items to over 400,000 children.
  • Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 1 activity
    • Providing equine-assisted therapy for children with special needs
      Offers equine-assisted therapy involving pony grooming, walking, and assisted riding for children with serious illnesses and special needs.
  • Cancer Patient Financial and Practical Support 1 activity
    • Providing financial assistance for medical and family needs
      Provides financial support to families for medical expenses, including airline tickets, medical supplies, and wheelchairs, and grants special wishes to children with serious illnesses throughout the year.
  • Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
    • Providing transportation and recreational trips for children and families
      Finances full-day recreational trips for families, covering transportation and entry costs, and operates a dedicated van equipped with entertainment and refreshments to transport children and families to medical and recreational events.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.18M
Contributions & grants$2.17M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$5850%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$2.08M
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$141K
Grants paid out$1.69M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.17M
Cash$465K
Investments$0
Liabilities$755K
Net assets$1.42M
Liquid reserves2.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +2.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JOHN THEISSEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 60 $109K
board members · 7
  • ANTHONY AVENA — SECRETARY
  • ANTHONY GATTO — TREASURER
  • DANIEL THIEKE — BOARD MEMBER
  • HEATHER THEISSEN — VICE PRESIDENT
  • JAMES DOYLE — BOARD MEMBER
  • ROBERTO FRIEDLANDER — BOARD MEMBER
  • WILLIAM ZIEGLER — PRESIDENT
relationships · 7

Who they work with

  • Bethpage Federal Credit Union Partner — Co-sponsored the Best of Long Island Contest with Long Island Press, in which the foundation was recognized as Best Charity on Long Island for ten years in a row.
  • Charity Navigator Government — Profiled on Charity Navigator, indicating public transparency and accountability.
  • JTCF Partner — Accepts donations and coordinates toy drives with businesses, groups, and schools.
  • Jelly Belly Co. Partner — Supplies treats for the "sweet station" at the Family Fun Center.
  • John Theissen Children's Foundation Network — Member of the network of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating in New York.
  • Long Island Press Coalition — Partnered with Long Island Press and Bethpage Federal Credit Union for the Best of Long Island Contest, in which the foundation was voted Best Charity on Long Island for ten consecutive years.
  • agencies and centers Partner — Partners with agencies and centers to identify and select children for the Back-to-School Program.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Material Support to Promote Dignity and School Engagement
    methodology: self-esteem_through_material_support
    By providing new clothes and school supplies, the foundation reduces embarrassment and supports school attendance, because access to new, age-appropriate items enhances self-esteem and helps children participate fully in educational settings.
  • Personalized Emotional Support Through Wish Fulfillment
    methodology: personalized-wish-fulfillment
    By fulfilling individualized wishlists for pediatric patients, the foundation provides emotional support and joy during illness, because feeling seen and receiving personally meaningful items can improve psychological well-being and resilience in sick children.
  • Therapeutic Distraction Through Recreational Engagement
    methodology: distraction-therapy_recreation
    By providing recreational equipment and equine therapy, the foundation shifts children's focus away from illness or disability, because engaging in positive, enjoyable activities supports emotional well-being and serves as a form of non-clinical therapy.