Grace Foundation of New York

What Grace Foundation of New York does

The GRACE Foundation of New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 in Staten Island that delivers programs and services to individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Its core service portfolio comprises three Medicaid-funded programs administered under the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD): Day Habilitation (community-based skills training, workforce development, and social skills), Community Habilitation (one-to-one independent living training), and Site-Based Respite (on-site programming providing caregiver relief). Supporting initiatives include the Where Little Minds Grow therapy partnership (speech/occupational therapy), Nicky's Kitchen (an inclusive culinary initiative), and the GRACE Food Truck (participant-run mobile food service). The organization also administers an M-CHAT-R/F autism screening tool for toddlers 16-30 months.

The business model blends three revenue streams: (1) Medicaid/OPWDD reimbursement for habilitation and respite services, which is the largest and most stable funding source; (2) donations and fundraising, with documented Digital Donor Wall gifts exceeding $85,000 and a single Meckeneck Family gift of $72,335; and (3) commercial activities including the GRACEful Store (handcrafted candles, soap, and GRACEful Bites & Bark dog treats made by participants), the GRACEful Art Gallery (annual auction at Raymour & Flanigan), the GRACE Food Truck, and recurring events such as an annual golf outing (individual $300, foursome $1,200, sponsorships up to $6,000) and virtual bingo. The Meckeneck Family is publicly recognized as the foundation's largest benefactor.

The organization has built notable brand equity by breaking three consecutive Guinness World Records for autism awareness (2023-2025), and operates a media presence spanning YouTube web series (GRACE On The Street, GRACE 10314, Dan on the Street), social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn), and a television campaign with Viewpoint hosted by Dennis Quaid. Headcount is reported at 101-250 staff, and the foundation is led by Executive Director Cathy Del Priore with a Board of Directors chaired by Michael Lanza, including founding member Barbara D'Amora. Geographic operations are concentrated in Staten Island with stated reach across the New York region.

Name

Grace Foundation of New York

Legal name

The GRACE Foundation of New York

Website

https://graceofny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Grace Foundation of New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 in Staten Island that provides Medicaid-funded Day Habilitation, Community Habilitation, and Respite programs to children, teens, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, supported by donations, merchandise, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism and Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Autism services
• Habilitation programs
• Developmental disability services
• Respite care
• Nonprofit fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Staten Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, families, and benefactors such as the Meckeneck Family. Online donation portal accepts one-time and monthly recurring donations.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of handcrafted products including ICan Candles ($4-$15), ICan Soap ($4), GRACEful Bites & Bark Dog Treats ($10), and art pieces ($25). All items are handcrafted by GRACE participants.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from event registrations, sponsorships, raffles, and ticket sales for events including golf outings ($300 individual, $1200 foursome), virtual bingo ($15-$25), and specialty raffles.
4. Food Truck Operations: The GRACE Food Truck generates revenue through food sales at events and private bookings, while also teaching participants cooking skills and work ethic.
5. Golf Outing Sponsorships: Various sponsorship tiers ranging from $300 (Double Tee Sign) to $6,000 (King of The Golf Course) with associated branding and recognition benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The GRACE Foundation of New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides Medicaid-funded habilitation, respite, and therapeutic programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Core offerings include Day Habilitation, Community Habilitation, Site-Based Respite, and the Where Little Minds Grow therapy partnership, supplemented by inclusive initiatives such as Nicky's Kitchen and the GRACE Food Truck. The organization also runs an e-commerce store (GRACEful Store) selling handcrafted candles, soaps, and dog treats made by participants, alongside fundraising events such as the annual golf outing, virtual bingo, and art auction.

Product overview

The GRACE Foundation of New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2000 that provides innovative programs and services for individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The organization operates a multi-component service model consisting of: Day Habilitation (community-based skills training and workforce development), Community Habilitation (Medicaid-funded one-to-one independent living training), and Site-Based Respite programs. Supporting initiatives include: Where Little Minds Grow (occupational and speech therapy partnership), Nicky’s Kitchen (inclusive culinary initiative), and the GRACE Food Truck (participant-run food service for fundraising). The organization generates revenue through its GRACEful Store (handcrafted candles, soaps, and dog treats), GRACEful Art Gallery (annual art auctions), and fundraising events including an Annual Golf Outing and Virtual Bingo. Digital engagement includes web series content (GRACE On The Street, GRACE 10314, Dan on the Street) and an online donation platform. The organization has achieved three Guinness World Records for autism awareness and conducts public awareness campaigns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GRACEful Store: Online store selling handcrafted candles and soap made by GRACE participants, along with dog treats (GRACEful Bites & Bark).
• GRACE Food Truck
• GRACE-ful Productions
• Nicky’s Kitchen
• Where Little Minds Grow

Products and services

• Day Habilitation Medicaid-funded program providing structured daily activities, workforce skills training, community volunteering, travel training, and social skills development for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Community Habilitation Medicaid-funded OPWDD program providing one-to-one training to develop or enhance independent living skills for individuals with ASD, including job readiness, money management, travel training, and social skills.
• Site-Based Respite On-site programming providing temporary relief for caregivers of individuals with ASD, featuring activities including performing arts, science, dance, history, Club Live, Dinner Club, bowling, and team-building.
• Where Little Minds Grow Partnership program bridging occupational and speech therapy from childhood into adulthood, offering Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, academic readiness, after-school activities, and summer camp.
• Nicky's Kitchen All-inclusive culinary kitchen initiative designed for individuals of all abilities, with a focus on cooking skills and non-speaking communication methods, honoring Nicholas D'Amora's legacy.
• GRACE Food Truck Mobile food truck for events that teaches participants cooking skills, work ethic, and independent living while raising autism awareness and creating fundraising opportunities through food sales and private bookings.
• GRACEful Store Online store selling handcrafted items made by GRACE participants, including ICan Candles, ICan Soap, and GRACEful Bites & Bark dog treats, with proceeds supporting GRACE programming.
• ICan Candles Handcrafted candles made by GRACE participants, available in multiple scents including Cotton Blossom, Mountain Lake, Coastal Winds, Apple Cider, Enchanted Forest, Vanilla, and Limited Edition Candy Crush, in 4oz, 7oz, and 12oz sizes priced from $7 to $15.
• ICan Soap Handcrafted soap made by GRACE participants, priced at $4 per bar.
• GRACEful Bites & Bark Dog Treats Handmade 8-ounce dog treat packages crafted by participants using pumpkin, peanut butter, wheat flour, eggs, and cinnamon; available in small, medium, and large sizes priced at $10, with proceeds supporting GRACE programs and the Animals Near and Far Organization.
• GRACEful Art Gallery Annual art auction featuring original artwork created by GRACE participants, partnered with Raymour & Flanigan, with all pieces priced at $25 and all proceeds benefiting The GRACE Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,423 participants in World's Largest Human Puzzle Piece (2023)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eden II ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Two Staten Island autism service organizations launched a joint public awareness campaign during Autism Acceptance Month to replace the harmful 'R-word' with positive alternatives through billboards and yard signs. The campaign has been reinforced by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.
• St. Joseph by-the-Sea High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2024Partnered with the high school to create the World's Largest Human Infinity Symbol with 1,540 participants on January 26, 2024. Marked the First World Record attempt held by a Staten Island High School.
• Raymour & FlanigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird Annual GRACEful Art Auction held in partnership with Raymour & Flanigan at their 2795 Richmond Avenue showroom. Display of original artwork created by GRACE participants with all pieces priced at $25.
• Where Little Minds GrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bridge the gap in occupational and speech therapy from childhood into adulthood. Creating a continuum of care from childhood therapy services through teen and adult life at GRACE Foundation.
• Color StreetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial collaboration during Autism Awareness Month that sold out in record time. GRACE On The Street Episode 2 featured participants visiting Color Street for a VIP tour of the multimillion-dollar cosmetics brand.
• No Limits CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Jersey-based place where inclusion, opportunity, and community come together. Featured in GRACE On The Street Episode 1 as part of the mission to change lives through connections.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eden II Programs: Staten Island-based nonprofit providing programs and services for individuals with autism. Named partner of GRACE in joint awareness campaigns, and is the most geographically and operationally comparable peer.
• QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community): New York-based nonprofit specializing exclusively in autism services including day habilitation, community habilitation, and respite — the closest functional pure-play direct peer to GRACE's program mix.
• Cardinal McCloskey Community Services: NYC-based nonprofit providing OPWDD-licensed day habilitation, community habilitation, and respite services for individuals with developmental disabilities including autism, operating in overlapping NYC boroughs.
• ADAPT Community Network: NYC nonprofit providing Medicaid- and OPWDD-funded day habilitation, community, and residential services primarily to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — directly comparable program set and funding mechanism to GRACE.
• Spectrum360: New Jersey–based nonprofit (formerly Alpine Learning Group) providing autism-specific education, vocational, and adult day programs funded through Medicaid and state developmental disability waivers — closely matches GRACE's Day Hab, vocational, and lifespan approach.

Broad incumbents

• AHRC NYC: One of the largest NYC-area nonprofits serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, through OPWDD-funded day, residential, and community habilitation programs — directly overlapping GRACE's core OPWDD-funded offerings.
• YAI (Young Adult Institute): Large NYC-based nonprofit providing OPWDD- and Medicaid-funded day habilitation, community habilitation, and respite for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including ASD, serving a broader population and geography than GRACE.
• The Arc New York: Statewide umbrella organization supporting a network of OPWDD-funded chapters providing day, residential, and advocacy services for people with I/DD including autism; comparable funding model and program mix to GRACE at greater scale.
• Services for the Underserved (SUS): NYC-based human services nonprofit offering OPWDD-funded day, residential, and habilitation supports across I/DD populations including autism; broader service portfolio than GRACE but operates in the same Medicaid-funded developmental-disability ecosystem.

Others

• Autism Speaks: National autism advocacy and research organization. Not a direct service provider peer, but operates in the same autism mission space and competes for awareness-driven and corporate philanthropic dollars that GRACE also targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GRACEofNY
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC49wzgOi2Dt0p2g4RDGQzEw
• Facebookfacebook.com/GRACEofNY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-grace-foundation-of-new-york
• Instagraminstagram.com/graceofny
• TikToktiktok.com/@graceofny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grace Foundation of New York