The Stroke Foundation

What The Stroke Foundation does

The Stroke Foundation is a Houston, Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by stroke survivor Maria Gabriela Raso and her family to address the gap between hospital discharge and long-term recovery. The organization serves stroke survivors and their caregivers across the United States through a portfolio of free programs: the Stroke Survivor Fund (financial assistance for physical, speech, and occupational therapy not covered by insurance), the Caregiving Fund (short-term support for licensed in-home care), a Mental Health Support program delivered through BetterHelp's donated 6-month talk therapy, AI-powered speech therapy through a partnership with Nyra, a Medical Financial Help program routing families to DollarFor for medical debt relief, free downloadable educational resources, and a bilingual Life After Stroke Blog.

Technically, the foundation does not develop proprietary technology products. Its digital surface consists of a Webflow-based website (built and maintained by VSL Studios) and standard content channels (blog, email newsletter, social media). The AI capability in the speech therapy offering is entirely delegated to partner Nyra. Operationally, the foundation runs on 6 employees supplemented by volunteers, led by Founder/Executive Director Gabriela Raso.

The business model is donations-based. Revenue streams comprise individual donations (one-time and monthly giving), corporate partnerships (in-kind service contributions from BetterHelp, Nyra, Cadense, DollarFor; research collaboration with Bayer), and planned/legacy giving through the 'Leave a Legacy' program. The organization publicly commits that 90% of donations directly support survivors and caregivers, holds a GuideStar Platinum Transparency Seal, and is structured as EIN 84-4179502. In 2025 it disbursed more than $70,000 in therapy grants and has recently expanded into conference participation (ISC 2026) and international forums (European Life After Stroke Forum, March 2026).

Name

The Stroke Foundation

Legal name

The Stroke Foundation

Website

https://thestrokefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Stroke Foundation is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds therapy, caregiving, mental health support, and AI-powered speech therapy for US stroke survivors and their caregivers during the post-discharge recovery gap.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stroke Recovery Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Stroke recovery support
• Nonprofit health services
• Therapy financial assistance
• Caregiver support programs
• Stroke survivor funding

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization is funded primarily through donations from individuals. The website facilitates one-time and monthly giving, with a stated commitment that 90% of donations directly help stroke survivors and their caregivers. Donors can make gifts online through the website.
2. Corporate Partnerships: The organization partners with corporations (e.g., Bayer for the ELEVATE study, Cadense for adaptive footwear, BetterHelp for free therapy) to expand program offerings and provide resources to survivors. These partnerships may include co-marketing, sponsorship, or in-kind contributions.
3. Legacy Giving and Planned Gifts: The organization offers a 'Leave a Legacy' program allowing donors to include The Stroke Foundation in their estate planning, providing long-term fundraising support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Stroke Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free support services to stroke survivors and their caregivers across the United States. Its core offerings include direct financial assistance for physical, speech, and occupational therapy (Stroke Survivor Fund), funding for licensed in-home caregiving (Caregiving Fund), free 6-month talk therapy through BetterHelp, free AI-powered speech therapy through Nyra, medical debt relief guidance through DollarFor, and educational resources such as the Life After Stroke Blog and downloadable flyers. All programs are provided at no cost to beneficiaries and are funded by individual donations, corporate partnerships, and legacy giving.

Product overview

The Stroke Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of support services for stroke survivors and caregivers. The core offerings include the Stroke Survivor Fund (financial assistance for therapy costs), Caregiving Fund (in-home care support), Mental Health Support with BetterHelp (free talk therapy), Speech Therapy with Nyra (AI-powered communication recovery), Medical Financial Help (debt relief guidance), Helpful Resources (educational materials), and the Life After Stroke Blog (recovery guidance content). The organization focuses on bridging the gap between hospital discharge and long-term recovery, with 90% of donations directly supporting survivors and caregivers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stroke Survivor Fund Financial assistance program that helps stroke survivors in the United States cover the costs of physical, speech, or occupational therapy when insurance coverage falls short. Provided free of charge to eligible survivors who apply through the foundation's website.
• Caregiving Fund Short-term financial support program that helps stroke survivors and their families access licensed in-home care during the recovery period. Free to eligible families who apply through the foundation's website.
• Mental Health Support with BetterHelp Free 6-month talk therapy program for stroke survivors and their caregivers, provided in partnership with BetterHelp to address the mental health support gap during recovery.
• Speech Therapy with Nyra Free AI-powered virtual speech therapy program for stroke survivors experiencing communication challenges such as aphasia, provided in partnership with Nyra.
• Medical Financial Help Free support service that helps families understand hospital bills and determine eligibility for medical debt relief, provided in partnership with DollarFor.
• Helpful Resources Free downloadable educational flyers covering stroke symptoms, awareness, and available support resources for survivors, caregivers, and the general public.
• Life After Stroke Blog Educational blog providing practical articles, recovery guidance, and caregiver support content covering mental wellbeing, rehabilitation, stroke awareness, prevention, and survivor stories, available in English and Spanish.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $70,000 in therapy grants awarded in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BayercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2026Bayer is conducting the ELEVATE study to better understand stroke survivors' experiences. The Stroke Foundation is working with Bayer's researchers and other community organizations to help stroke survivors learn about and participate in the study. The study will include approximately 70 stroke survivors from the United States who will share their experiences during 1-hour interviews. Participants receive $120 compensation. The goal is to use results to develop stroke educational materials and submit to scientific journals and conferences.
• BetterHelpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBetterHelp has generously donated 6 months of free talk therapy for stroke survivors and their caregivers through The Stroke Foundation. This partnership addresses the significant mental health support gap that stroke survivors and caregivers face during recovery. The Stroke Foundation promotes this free therapy program as one of its core support offerings on its Find Support page.
• NyracoreTechnology or IntegrationNyra provides AI-powered speech therapy support for stroke survivors working on communication recovery. The Stroke Foundation offers free access to Nyra's virtual speech therapy platform as part of its comprehensive support programs. This addresses aphasia and other communication challenges common among stroke survivors.
• CadenseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCadense is a company specializing in high-quality adaptive footwear for stroke survivors. The Stroke Foundation partnered with Cadense to offer a special discount code (TSF10) to help stroke survivors access shoes designed for better stability and comfort. This partnership promotes walking safety and confidence for survivors with mobility challenges.
• DollarForcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDollarFor provides free support to help families understand hospital bills and find out if they qualify for medical debt relief. The Stroke Foundation refers survivors and caregivers to DollarFor as part of its Medical Financial Help program, addressing the financial burden and medical debt that often accompanies stroke recovery.
• University of Central Florida (UCF) Aphasia ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Stroke Foundation's Stroke Survivor Fund has provided financial assistance to survivors participating in UCF's aphasia program. Survivor Benjamin shared his positive experience working with the UCF team and receiving funding from The Stroke Foundation for the program.
• American Heart Association / American Stroke AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Stroke Foundation attended ISC 2026 in New Orleans as part of the Stroke Connection group, invited by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. This was an opportunity to connect with survivors, caregivers, advocates, researchers, and industry partners. Additionally, survivor Andrea has become an Ambassador for the American Heart Association independently.
• VSL StudiosminorOthersVSL Studios is credited as the website developer for The Stroke Foundation ('With love by vsl studios'). They built and maintain the organization's website platform.
• Guidestar (Candid)minorOthersThe Stroke Foundation displays the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency on its website, indicating it has met Candid's standards for nonprofit transparency. The organization's profile on Candid can be found at app.candid.org/profile/9898858/the-stroke-foundation-84-4179502/.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Heart Association / American Stroke Association: The largest U.S. cardiovascular and stroke nonprofit, running the American Stroke Association division. The Stroke Foundation already engages with AHA/ASA at ISC 2026 and partners with the same survivor/caregiver audience through broader research, advocacy, and awareness programs.
• World Stroke Organization: The international body focused on stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery worldwide. The Stroke Foundation presented at the European Life After Stroke Forum hosted by this organization, reflecting shared audience and mission in global stroke support.

Regional players

• Stroke Association (UK): The UK's largest stroke charity, funding research and providing information, support, and rehabilitation services for stroke survivors. Same mission and beneficiary base as The Stroke Foundation, but with a UK geographic focus.
• Different Strokes: A UK-based charity supporting younger stroke survivors with peer support, exercise programs, and recovery resources. Strong mission and audience overlap with The Stroke Foundation, but operates primarily in the United Kingdom rather than the U.S.

Emerging players

• National Aphasia Association: A U.S. nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness of aphasia, a common post-stroke communication condition, and connecting people to speech therapy resources. The Stroke Foundation's Nyra AI speech therapy partnership directly addresses this audience.
• YoungStroke: A smaller U.S. nonprofit focused on young adult stroke survivors, providing resources, peer connection, and advocacy. Compares to The Stroke Foundation's survivor-focused, niche support model with overlapping survivor audience and education emphasis.
• Brain Aneurysm Foundation: A U.S. nonprofit offering support, education, and research funding for patients and families affected by brain aneurysms, many of whom also experience stroke. Comparable disease-specific support and education model.

Direct peers

• ALS Association: A major U.S. disease-specific nonprofit providing care services, research funding, and advocacy for ALS patients and families. Comparable in being a disease-focused nonprofit combining direct financial/support services with research partnerships and a survivor/caregiver audience.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: A leading U.S. nonprofit supporting people with paralysis and spinal cord injury through grants, advocacy, and quality-of-life programs. Highly comparable operating model: disease-specific nonprofit offering financial assistance, peer support, and survivor-led storytelling for a specific recovery population.
• National Stroke Association: A long-standing U.S. nonprofit dedicated to stroke awareness, survivor support, and education. It is one of the closest direct peers in mission and audience — both serve stroke survivors and caregivers with educational resources and recovery support programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thestrokefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-stroke-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thestrokefoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Stroke Foundation