The Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation is a private foundation based in Jamaica, New York, established in 2002. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no paid staff. The foundation focuses on providing scholarships for disadvantaged children and young adults in the New York Metropolitan area, and supports the maintenance and beautification of botanical gardens.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.6M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+0.4% YoY
Grant Count
23
-17.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$89K
+22.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joan N and Norman Bluestone reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was formed with the purpose of fostering the education of disadvantaged children and young adults in the New York Metropolitan area. Primary funding areas include:
- Scholarships and financial aid for needy children
- Educational programs and youth development
- Botanical garden maintenance and beautification
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation appears open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$257 to $1,625,000 (wide range)
Average Grant
$257 to $1,625,000 (wide range)
Ready to take the next step with Joan N and Norman Bluestone?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates primarily within New York State, with particular focus on:
- New York City boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens)
- Queens (home to the foundation originators)
- Limited activity in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $33,617,423
- Total Revenues: $2,300,771
- Total Expenses: $2,068,240
- Expense Ratio: 64.8% of total revenue
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,617,423 | $33,735,758 | $32,927,701 |
| Revenue | $2,300,771 | $3,156,847 | $1,517,231 |
| Expenses | $2,068,240 | $2,047,036 | $2,112,214 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,041,000 | $2,032,000 | $1,835,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,278,191 | $1,721,352 | $453,617 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,085,374 | $1,938,727 | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
88 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Queens Botanical Gardens ($1,625,000), The Ny Botanical Gardens ($160,000), Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sina ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY QUEENS, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $10,000 |
| QUEENS COLLEGE FOUNDATION FLUSHING, NY | a holistic approach that deals with immediate needs as well as the barriers that may impede personal, family, and community stability. | $10,000 |
| YESHIVA COLLEGE NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $10,000 |
| CITY COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY FOUNDATIO NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $10,000 |
| brooklyn botanical garden BROOKLYN, NY | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the Brooklyn botanical garden | $10,000 |
| alley pond environmental center DOUGLASTON, NY | TO PROVIDE funding for maintaining the Alley pond environmental center. | $2,500 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSI NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $5,000 |
| QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM FLORAL PARK, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $1,000 |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICES INC CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $20,000 |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MT SINA NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sara B. Herbstman – President
- Ira Lichtiger – Secretary
- Charles Herbstman – Trustee
- Michelle Potvin – Trustee
- Joyce Lichtiger – Trustee
All leadership members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARA HERBSTMAN | President | — | — |
| IRA LICHTIGER | Secretary | — | — |
| CHARLES HERBSTMAN | Trustee | — | — |
| MICHELLE POTVIN | Trustee | — | — |
| JOYCE LICHTIGER | Trustee | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Historic $8 Million Gift to Queens Botanical Garden (January 2023)**
Queens Botanical Garden announces historic $8 million donation ...The foundation made an $8 million donation to Queens Botanical Garden, the largest private donation in the garden's history and one of the largest donations to any cultural institution in Queens. In recognition of this gift, the garden's future education center will be named after the foundation's founders, Joan and Norman Bluestone.
Queens Botanical Garden announces historic $8 million donation ...The donation supports the garden's educational programs and community activities. Construction on the state-of-the-art education center began in early 2024, with completion anticipated by early 2026. The center will include four classrooms, a teaching kitchen, an education solarium, and a green roof.
City Breaks Ground On New $34 Million Education Building For ...**About the Founders:**
Joan N. Bluestone was a longtime volunteer and donor at Queens Botanical Garden, serving on its Board of Directors for many years. She passed away in 2020. Norman Bluestone was a founding member of the Bluestone Organization, a Queens-based real estate company, along with his brothers Harold and Eli. Norman passed away in 2011. Both Joan and Norman were lifelong Queens residents who frequently visited the garden and expressed their desire to contribute to its future.
Queens Botanical Garden announces historic $8 million donation ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joan N and Norman Bluestone fund?
The foundation was formed with the purpose of fostering the education of disadvantaged children and young adults in the New York Metropolitan area. Primary funding areas include: • Scholarships and financial aid for needy children • Educational programs and youth development • Botanical garden maintenance and beautification • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from Joan N and Norman Bluestone?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 20 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $2,041,000 • Average grant size: $257 to $1,625,000 (wide range) • Typical awards range from $1,000 to $1,625,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Queens Botanical Garden Society: $1,625,000 (for construction of additional building) • Community Youth Care Services: $20,000 (scholarships for needy children) • Fifth Avenue Committee: $15,000 (scholarships for needy children) The foundation appears open to new applicants.
Where does Joan N and Norman Bluestone make grants?
The foundation operates primarily within New York State, with particular focus on: • New York City boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens) • Queens (home to the foundation originators) • Limited activity in Colorado Springs, Colorado
What size grants does Joan N and Norman Bluestone award?
In 2024, Joan N and Norman Bluestone awarded 23 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $89K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Joan N and Norman Bluestone required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Joan N and Norman Bluestone reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Joan N and Norman Bluestone's EIN?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0807934. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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