Point Break Foundation
Point Break Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It is dedicated to plastic waste reduction, ocean conservancy, and general environmental health, and says it conceptualizes, oversees, and provides seed capital to philanthropic initiatives focused on these goals.
Point Break Foundation at a glance
In short: Point Break Foundation gave $2.5M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $280K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,516,300
- -3.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +80.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $279,589
- -46.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $34,547,170
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Ohio (54% 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 Point Break Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 126 East 56Th Street Suite 1810, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (646) 571-1730
Website: https://pointbreakfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Point Break Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund ($1.4M). Together the top 9 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 23 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio (54%), California (26%), New York (10%), and Utah (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Point Break Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 97% 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 $2.0M (2020) to $2.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Cincinnati, OH | General Operating Support | $1,350,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors San Francisco, CA | Environment | $500,000 |
| Utah Film Center Salt Lake City, UT | ARTS | $250,000 |
| New York Presbyterian Fund Inc New York, NY | HEALTH | $150,000 |
| Surfrider Foundation San Clemente, CA | Environment | $100,000 |
| British Schools and Universities Foundation Inc New York, NY | Education | $93,300 |
| Creative Visions Foundation Malibu, CA | ARTS | $38,000 |
| Seven Arrows Elementary School Pacific Palisades, CA | Eduation | $25,000 |
| Rockhouse Foundation New York, NY | Environment | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Point Break 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $34,547,170 | $428,069 | $2,605,605 | $2,516,300 | 9 | $2,527,424 | $2,050,222 | $2,605,666 |
| 2023 | $36,724,706 | $733,192 | $2,689,975 | $2,617,500 | 5 | $2,622,750 | $2,494,709 | $2,519,855 |
| 2022 | $38,681,489 | $48,144 | $2,747,906 | $2,589,800 | 7 | $2,655,227 | $2,706,538 | $2,621,288 |
| 2021 | $41,381,251 | $4,957,761 | $2,755,481 | $2,175,000 | 1 | $2,175,214 | $4,366,116 | $2,593,082 |
| 2020 | $39,178,638 | $1,357,097 | $2,535,260 | $1,970,000 | 1 | — | $998,389 | $2,175,796 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Point Break Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its focus as plastic pollution and waste reduction, ocean conservancy, and general environmental health. Its 2024 grants also included support designated for arts, health, and education.
Among its 2024 grantees, the Surfrider Foundation describes its work as protecting and promoting the enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches through an activist network. Utah Film Center says it uses curated film exhibition, educational programs, and artist support to engage audiences and build community. Creative Visions Foundation describes its mission as raising awareness of critical issues and promoting positive action through media and the arts. Other grantees describe work in education, health, and environmental programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 9 grants totaling $2,516,300. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $1,350,000, with a median grant of $100,000. The largest awards included $1,350,000 to Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund for general operating support, $500,000 to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for environment, $250,000 to Utah Film Center for arts, and $150,000 to New York Presbyterian Fund for health. Other grants included $100,000 to the Surfrider Foundation for environment, $93,300 to British Schools and Universities Foundation for education, and $38,000 to Creative Visions Foundation for arts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Henry A. Pincus was listed as trustee on the 2024 filing.
Point Break Foundation is led by Henry A. Pincus, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Henry A. Pincus
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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 Point Break Foundation
How much does Point Break Foundation give each year?
Point Break Foundation gave $2.5M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.6M across 5 grants.
What is Point Break Foundation's typical grant size?
Point Break Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $279,589, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Point Break Foundation give grants?
Point Break Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (26%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Point Break Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of Point Break Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Environment" (3 grants).
Who are Point Break Foundation's largest grantees?
Point Break Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund ($1,350,000), Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors ($500,000) and Utah Film Center ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Point Break Foundation?
Point Break Foundation reported $34.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.6M (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 Point Break Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its focus as plastic pollution and waste reduction, ocean conservancy, and general environmental health. Its 2024 grants also included support designated for arts, health, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Point Break Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it 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 Point Break Foundation's EIN?
Point Break Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4043415. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Point Break 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Point Break Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Akhilanda Women's Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
5
Total Given
$447K
Threshold Foundation
Brewster, NY
Threshold Foundation supports environmental sustainability and community empowerment, including work related to environmental justice, climate, regenerative agriculture, and democratic principles. Listed 2021 awards ranged from $50,000 to $67,224, but a typical giving level is not established; it is based in Brewster, New York, and its website says it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$2.2M
Proteus Fund Inc
Waltham, MA
Proteus Fund supports social justice initiatives advancing racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and inclusive democracy, primarily through national grantmaking and collaborative funds. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests; its RISE Together Fund has a separate, time-limited open call.
Assets
$67.1M
Grants
219
Total Given
$21.6M
The Annenberg Foundation
Conshohocken, PA
The Annenberg Foundation funds arts and culture, education, and environmental work, along with varied community initiatives, with grants across multiple states; in 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged widely, and it does not accept unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Select Equity Group Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation supports charitable organizations in advocacy and civil rights, arts and culture, education and youth development, the environment, health, human services, and international development, locally, nationally, and internationally. In 2025, grants ranged from $30 to $500,000, with a median of $1,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$44.7M
Grants
854
Total Given
$7.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Point Break 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.
Point Break Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?