Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc
JOAN N AND NORMAN BLUESTONE is a private foundation based in Jamaica, New York, that reported 23 grants totaling $2,041,000 in 2024. Its grants included a major contribution toward construction at Queens Botanical Gardens and awards for scholarships, gardens, youth services, and other charitable purposes. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 33 grants totaling $2.2 million.
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc gave $2.2M across 33 grants in 2025 (avg $66K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,162,500
- +6.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 33
- +43.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $65,530
- -26.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $35,465,985
- +5.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
How to apply to Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 90-11 160Th St 100, Jamaica, NY 11432
Phone: (347) 572-6302
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 110 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in New York State. Listed recipients are located in New York City and elsewhere in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
How Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2020) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 33 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 33 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $2,162,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,465,985 | $3,474,139 | $2,191,911 | $2,162,500 | 33 | $2,162,500 | $3,444,728 | $2,115,428 |
| 2024 | $33,617,423 | $2,300,771 | $2,068,240 | $2,041,000 | 23 | $2,041,000 | $2,278,191 | $2,085,374 |
| 2023 | $33,735,758 | $3,156,847 | $2,047,036 | $2,032,000 | 28 | $2,032,000 | $1,721,352 | $1,938,727 |
| 2022 | $32,927,701 | $1,517,231 | $2,112,214 | $1,835,500 | 20 | $1,835,500 | $453,617 | — |
| 2021 | $33,153,196 | $29,066,433 | $243,931 | $108,500 | 6 | $108,500 | $1,558,584 | $1,004,095 |
| 2020 | $2,161,855 | $750,554 | $97,181 | $85,000 | 11 | — | $476,635 | $86,223 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grant descriptions show support for botanical gardens and construction, financial aid or scholarships for needy children, and other charitable work. Among its grantees, Frost Valley YMCA describes its work as fostering youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through outdoor education and recreation. The Child Center of NY says it strengthens children and families with skills, opportunities, and emotional support. Gowanus Canal Conservancy describes its work as caring for ecologically sustainable parks and public spaces, and Alley Pond Environmental Center says it educates people and works to protect and preserve parks, open spaces, and waterbodies.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $2,041,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,625,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest award was $1,625,000 to Queens Botanical Gardens for construction of an additional building for the benefit of the general public. Other notable grants included $160,000 to The NY Botanical Gardens, $50,000 to Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, and $20,000 each to Community Youth Services Inc and Benjamin Cardoza School of Law, all described as providing financial aid through scholarships. Frost Valley YMCA, The Child Center of NY, and Gowanus Canal Conservancy each received $10,000; Alley Pond Environmental Center received $2,500. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 33 grants totaling $2.2 million.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sara Herbstman as President; Ira Lichtiger as Secretary; and Charles Herbstman, Michelle Potvin, and Joyce Lichtiger as Trustees.
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc is led by Sara Herbstman, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sara Herbstman
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Charles Herbstman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joyce Lichtiger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michelle Potvin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ira Lichtiger
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc
How much does Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc give each year?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc gave $2.2M across 33 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.0M across 23 grants.
What is Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $65,530, across 33 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc give grants?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 33) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc reported $35.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grant descriptions show support for botanical gardens and construction, financial aid or scholarships for needy children, and other charitable work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's EIN?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0807934. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
Pinkerton Foundation
New York, NY
The Pinkerton Foundation funds direct-service programs for children, young people, and families in economically disadvantaged New York City communities, especially in academic development, career readiness, cultural enrichment, and support for youth affected by foster care or the criminal justice system. Its 2023 grants ranged from $500 to $850,000, with a median of $75,000. It accepts letters of inquiry through its Grant Portal at any time.
Assets
$746.1M
Grants
463
Total Given
$40.1M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
The Hyde and Watson Foundation funds capital projects in human services, education, health, arts and culture, and the environment. Most awards are $5,000–$20,000, with a 2024 median of $10,000, for eligible nonprofits in New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey. It accepts applications through an online portal during its stated application periods; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
Freedom Together Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation funds work to strengthen multiracial democracy and build community and worker power, racial and gender justice, movement infrastructure, reproductive health, medical research, and community institutions. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $14 million, with a median of $500,000; its largest shares went to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
595
Total Given
$470.0M
Mutual of America Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$136K
Grants
539
Total Given
$839K
Investors Foundation Inc
Summit, NJ
Investors Foundation Inc funds community organizations working in arts, education, health and human services, youth, and affordable housing, primarily in New Jersey, New York City’s five boroughs, and Long Island. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online application, with deadlines of February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Assets
$13.4M
Grants
135
Total Given
$986K
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joan-n-and-norman-bluestone-foundation-inc-morg_72a9efec04f94f57b5ebaf4e2cb8ef29
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_550807934_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joan-n-and-norman-bluestone-foundation-inc-morg_72a9efec04f94f57b5ebaf4e2cb8ef29},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-02. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?