Joan N and Norman Bluestone
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.
Joan N and Norman Bluestone at a glance
In short: Joan N and Norman Bluestone gave $2.0M across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $89K), mostly in New York. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,041,000
- +0.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- -17.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $88,739
- +22.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $33,617,423
- -0.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Joan N and Norman Bluestone
- 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 funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Queens Botanical Gardens ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
88 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 88 (94%).
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 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Joan N and Norman Bluestone open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 23 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. How we count
- 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 1781% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2020) to $2.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Queens Botanical Gardens Queens, NY | Donation for construction of additional building for the benefits of the general public | $1,625,000 |
| The NY Botanical Gardens Bronx, NY | To provide needy children with financial aid through scholarships. | $160,000 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sina New York, NY | To provide needy children with financial aid through scholarships. | $50,000 |
| Community Youth Services Inc Cambria Heights, NY | To provide needy children with financial aid through scholarships. | $20,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $20,000 |
| Fifth Avenue Committee Brooklyn, NY | To provide needy children with financial aid through scholarships. | $15,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University New Yok, NY | To provide needy children with financial aid through scholarships. | $15,000 |
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Joan N and Norman Bluestone?
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 | $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 reported a distributable amount of $2.1M 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
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.
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 is led by Sara Herbstman, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 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, 2020–2024. "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 Joan N and Norman Bluestone
How much does Joan N and Norman Bluestone give each year?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone gave $2.0M across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 28 grants.
What is Joan N and Norman Bluestone's typical grant size?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $88,739, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Joan N and Norman Bluestone give grants?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants), Brooklyn, NY (4 grants) and Queens, NY (2 grants).
Does Joan N and Norman Bluestone give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Joan N and Norman Bluestone's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Joan N and Norman Bluestone's largest grantees?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone's largest 2024 grantees include Queens Botanical Gardens ($1,625,000), The NY Botanical Gardens ($160,000) and Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sina ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Joan N and Norman Bluestone?
Joan N and Norman Bluestone reported $33.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (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 Joan N and Norman Bluestone 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?
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'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.
Does Joan N and Norman Bluestone 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joan N and Norman Bluestone funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joan-n-and-norman-bluestone-morg_72a9efec04f94f57b5ebaf4e2cb8ef29
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_550807934_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joan N and Norman Bluestone funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joan-n-and-norman-bluestone-morg_72a9efec04f94f57b5ebaf4e2cb8ef29},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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'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.
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