Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation
The Thomas A and Georgina T Russo Foundation is a private foundation based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 filing reports grants to nine organizations, all in Pennsylvania, supporting work that includes regional history, healthcare, arts, education, and music.
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation at a glance
In short: Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation gave $668K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $74K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $668,314
- -17.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -30.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $74,257
- +19.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $15,648,742
- +1.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 596 River Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: (717) 281-0070
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lancasterhistoryorg ($250K). Together the top 9 received $668K.
Grant Size Distribution
63 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 63 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The listed grantees include organizations in Lancaster and other Pennsylvania communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation gives
- Giving fell 35% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 52% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $668K (2024) to $1.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $668K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lancasterhistoryorg Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $250,000 |
| Lancaster General Health Foundation Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $102,700 |
| Hospice and Community Care Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $76,614 |
| Mount Gretna School of Art Mt Gretna, PA | Charitable Distribution | $71,500 |
| Lancaster Science Factory Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $50,000 |
| Nakedeye Inc Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $40,000 |
| Horizons at LCDS Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $37,500 |
| Susquehanna Service Dogs Grantville, PA | Charitable Distribution | $25,000 |
| Music for Everyone Lancaster, PA | Charitable Distribution | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,648,742 | $1,168,588 | $763,792 | $668,314 | 9 | $668,314 | $717,003 | $1,280,407 |
| 2023 | $15,402,446 | $1,826,368 | $897,979 | $808,280 | 13 | $808,280 | $794,342 | $1,089,749 |
| 2022 | $15,018,448 | $1,473,868 | $947,362 | $856,253 | 10 | $856,253 | $277,378 | $1,003,002 |
| 2021 | $14,751,950 | $1,160,425 | $1,157,601 | $1,026,607 | 14 | $1,026,607 | $1,082,525 | $1,061,518 |
| 2020 | $13,945,660 | $7,359,394 | $1,511,046 | $1,371,812 | 17 | — | $3,323,599 | $830,867 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated application policy says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its 2024 grants include organizations with varied missions. LancasterHistory says it educates the public about the heritage and history of the region, Pennsylvania, and the United States. Lancaster General Health Foundation says it benefits organizations within the Lancaster General Health healthcare system. Mount Gretna School of Art says it provides opportunities for artists to develop from student years through emerging careers. Music for Everyone says it supports expanding the role of music in schools and communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported nine grants totaling $668,314. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards were $250,000 to LancasterHistory, $102,700 to Lancaster General Health Foundation, $76,614 to Hospice and Community Care, $71,500 to Mount Gretna School of Art, and $50,000 to Lancaster Science Factory. Each listed grant had the purpose “charitable distribution.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas A Russo and Georgina T Russo as trustees.
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Georgina T. Russo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas A. Russo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation
How much does Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation give each year?
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation gave $668K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $808K across 13 grants.
What is Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's typical grant size?
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $74,257, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation give grants?
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, PA (7 grants).
Does Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Distribution" (9 grants).
Who are Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's largest grantees?
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lancasterhistoryorg ($250,000), Lancaster General Health Foundation ($102,700) and Hospice and Community Care ($76,614), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation?
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation reported $15.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $668K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated application policy says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its 2024 grants include organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's EIN?
Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3980555. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Thomas a and Georgina T Russo Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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