Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation
The Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. In its 2025 filing, it reported making 10 grants totaling $145,962 to charitable organizations, with grants supporting animal welfare and wildlife work as well as hunger relief and dance opportunities for children with physical challenges.
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation at a glance
In short: Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation gave $146K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), top state California. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $145,962
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,596
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,660
- Total assets
- $445,884
- -1.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (1 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation
- 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: 166 East 63Rd Street 18A, New York, NY 10065
Phone: (212) 753-1721
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Animal Equality ($43K). Together the top 10 received $146K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 42 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in California (45%), Maryland (16%), New York (16%), Washington, DC (12%), and South Carolina (12%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 10 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 44% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 762% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $92K (2019) to $167K (2021). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $146K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Equality Los Angeles, CA | Banning factory farming in the united states aligns with americans' values, beliefs, and interests and contributes to building a world where all animals are protected and respected | $42,661 |
| Days End Farm Horse Rescue Woodbine, MD | Dedicated to rehabilitating neglected horses and educating the community on equine welfare and advocacy. | $22,661 |
| Animal Welfare Institute Washington, DC | The animal welfare institute has been dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people.to seek better treatment of animals everywhere in the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce,at home, and in the wild. | $17,660 |
| International Primate Protection League Summerville, SC | To keep these uniquely threatened animals safe from human cruelty, negligence, and exploitation, envisioning a world where all primates can thrive in their native habitats | $17,660 |
| Wild Aid San Francisco, CA | Wildaid's mission is to inspire and empower the world to protect wildlife and vital habitats from critical threats | $17,660 |
| Wild Bird Fund New York, NY | To provide medical care and rehabilitation to native and passing migrant wildlife so that they can be released back into the wild | $17,660 |
| The Humane Farming Association San Rafael, CA | Animal and Consumer Protection | $5,000 |
| Animal Rescue of the Hamptons East Hampton, NY | The animal rescue fund of the hamptons actively rescues cats and dogs, provides quality care and offers sanctuary until loving homes can be found. | $2,000 |
| Hunger Free America New York, NY | Hfa is advancing the policies and programs needed to end hunger across the U.S. | $2,000 |
| Dancing Dreams Bayside, NY | To provide dance classes and dance performance opportunities to physically challenged children, including medically fragile individuals. | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation?
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 | $445,884 | $133,834 | $152,430 | $145,962 | 10 | $145,962 | $4,362 | $19,159 |
| 2024 | $451,255 | $524,915 | $137,575 | $133,686 | 10 | $133,686 | $3,079 | $6,488 |
| 2023 | $60,328 | $61,000 | $144,835 | $141,242 | 8 | $144,742 | $1,000 | $4,489 |
| 2022 | $128,120 | $13,084 | $105,275 | $101,417 | 7 | $105,217 | $3,084 | $11,100 |
| 2021 | $276,418 | $437,177 | $169,267 | $167,082 | 7 | $167,082 | $2,373 | — |
| 2020 | $8,508 | $39,058 | $155,458 | $153,500 | 15 | — | $58 | — |
| 2019 | $124,908 | $100,078 | $102,060 | $91,500 | 13 | — | $78 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19K 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 foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in animal welfare, wildlife care and protection, hunger relief, and dance opportunities for children with physical challenges.
Among the grantees, Animal Equality describes its mission as working with society, governments, and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Days End Farm Horse Rescue says it works to ensure quality care and treatment of horses through intervention, education, and outreach. The Animal Welfare Institute describes work to alleviate animal suffering in agriculture, commerce, homes and communities, research, and the wild. Wild Bird Fund says it provides veterinary care and rehabilitation to injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife in New York City and educates New Yorkers about local wildlife. Hunger Free America describes its work as building a movement to end domestic hunger and ensure access to nutritious food. Dancing Dreams provides dance classes and performance opportunities to physically challenged children, including medically fragile individuals.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $145,962. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $42,661, with a median grant of $17,660.
The largest 2025 awards included $42,661 to Animal Equality, $22,661 to Days End Farm Horse Rescue, and $17,660 each to the Animal Welfare Institute, International Primate Protection League, WildAid, and Wild Bird Fund. Other reported recipients included the Humane Farming Association ($5,000), Animal Rescue of the Hamptons ($2,000), Hunger Free America ($2,000), and Dancing Dreams ($1,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mari Epstein, Dawn Daniels, Caroline Wolhuter, and Ida R Greer as directors.
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caroline Wolhuter
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Dawn Daniels
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Ida R. Greer
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mari Epstein
Director
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation
How much does Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation give each year?
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation gave $146K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $134K across 10 grants.
What is Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's typical grant size?
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,660, and its average grant was $14,596, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation give grants?
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's top state is California, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (16%) and New York (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's largest grantees?
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Animal Equality ($42,661), Days End Farm Horse Rescue ($22,661) and Animal Welfare Institute ($17,660), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation?
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation reported $446K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $146K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in animal welfare, wildlife care and protection, hunger relief, and dance opportunities for children with physical challenges. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation?
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 Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's EIN?
Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2425572. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Mari and Norman Epstein 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mari-and-norman-epstein-foundation-morg_634ddafc332940e0bea3b1033d22d19d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472425572_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mari-and-norman-epstein-foundation-morg_634ddafc332940e0bea3b1033d22d19d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Mari and Norman Epstein Foundation'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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