The Puffin Foundation Ltd
The Puffin Foundation Ltd. is a private foundation based in Teaneck, New Jersey. It makes grants for artistic expression, supporting artists and arts organizations that may be excluded from mainstream opportunities because of their identities or social philosophies.
The Puffin Foundation Ltd at a glance
In short: The Puffin Foundation Ltd gave $3.3M across 225 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,346,952
- +32.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 225
- +650.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,875
- -82.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $64,764,944
- +4.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Puffin Foundation Ltd
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website describes an application process for the 2027 film/video and theater cycle. Request forms must be mailed; approved applicants submit proposals through the online portal.
- Review Cycle
- The 2027 request period runs September 14–November 20, 2026. Requests must be postmarked by November 25, 2026, and proposals are due through the portal by 5:00 p.m. EST on December 16, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2027 request period runs September 14–November 20, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: The Puffin Foundation Ltd Co Neal R
Mailing address: 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck, NJ 07666-4167
Phone: (201) 836-8400
Website: https://puffinfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Puffin Foundation Ltd
Puffin Foundation: Annual Artist Grant Program - Even Year Focus
The Puffin Foundation Ltd
Amount
Up to US $3,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Puffin Foundation: Environmental Artistic Activism Grant Program
The Puffin Foundation Ltd
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Puffin Foundation Ltd funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Institute for Public Affairs ($325K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
345 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 274 grants of 345 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 12% to Illinois, 8% to California, 7% to New Jersey, and 2% to Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 225 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Puffin Foundation Ltd gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% 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 $2.0M (2021) to $3.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 225 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute for Public Affairs Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $325,000 |
| Type Media Center New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $307,500 |
| Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives New York, NY | Support History Museums | $250,000 |
| The Andrew Goodman Foundation New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $250,000 |
| Democracy Now Productions Inc New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $200,000 |
| Nation Fund for Independent Journalism New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $157,000 |
| ACLU Foundation Inc New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $150,000 |
| Teaneck Creek Conservancy Inc Teaneck, NJ | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $105,425 |
| Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $100,000 |
| Transgender Law Center Oakland, CA | Unrestricted Grant to Support the Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Puffin Foundation Ltd?
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 | $64,764,944 | $8,578,147 | $6,123,189 | $3,346,952 | 225 | $4,604,929 | $7,691,898 | $4,113,994 |
| 2024 | $62,279,807 | $7,125,145 | $5,023,138 | $2,527,328 | 30 | $3,636,223 | $6,389,785 | $3,983,746 |
| 2023 | $60,163,716 | $6,607,105 | $4,636,056 | $2,540,449 | 32 | $3,468,246 | $4,178,749 | $3,408,393 |
| 2022 | $58,193,487 | $2,966,548 | $5,556,418 | $3,721,633 | 37 | $4,456,624 | $2,348,661 | $3,555,084 |
| 2021 | $60,791,625 | $6,313,116 | $3,744,360 | $1,975,359 | 21 | $2,611,007 | $5,528,995 | $3,911,239 |
| 2020 | $58,307,298 | $51,131,134 | $3,931,151 | $2,849,016 | 13 | — | $5,247,371 | $1,564,553 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Puffin Foundation Ltd reported a distributable amount of $4.1M for 2025 — 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’s stated mission is to open the doors of artistic expression and help the arts flourish. Its filing describes charitable activity that includes grants and awards for the arts, and operating support for cultural events such as exhibitions and performances. The filing’s application description seeks proposals for new work in fine arts, video and film, the written word, and performing arts, with particular interest in young artists.
Its 2025 grants also went to organizations working in areas including independent media, democracy, human rights, civil rights, and disability rights. For example, the Institute for Public Affairs describes its mission as publishing a magazine focused on democracy and economic justice; the Andrew Goodman Foundation says it works to make young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy; and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives describes itself as an educational organization promoting social activism and human rights. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not a complete description of the foundation’s own focus.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 225 grants totaling $3,346,952. Grant amounts ranged from $750 to $325,000, with a median of $2,500. The foundation says its grant search provides funds to hundreds of artists annually.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $325,000 to the Institute for Public Affairs, $307,500 to Type Media Center, $250,000 to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, $250,000 to the Andrew Goodman Foundation, and $200,000 to Democracy Now Productions. Most of these grants were described in the filing as unrestricted support for the recipient’s exempt purpose; the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives grant was described as support for history museums.
For the 2027 cycle, the website lists film/video and theater projects. Applicants first submit a brief online questionnaire, then print and mail an application request form. After approval, the foundation provides access to its online portal for submitting a project proposal. The website says grants are available to U.S. residents with a Social Security number or U.S.-based nonprofits, including fiscal sponsors. It also states that projects with budgets over $250,000 and organizations with annual budgets over $250,000 are ineligible; travel, education, and writing or publishing books are not funded. The maximum grant is $3,500. The filing describes a written proposal explaining how the grant would be used to foster new work in the arts and lists no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Neal S. Rosenstein as president and treasurer, Gladys Miller-Rosenstein as vice-president, and Sabine Rosenstein as secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Neal Rosenstein as president and Gladys Miller-Rosenstein as executive director.
The Puffin Foundation Ltd is led by Neal S. Rosenstein, President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Neal S. Rosenstein
President & Treasurer
President → President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $143K (2025)
Gladys Miller-Rosenstein
Vice President
Secretary & Executive Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$64K (2020) → $130K (2025)
Sabine Rosenstein
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Christopher Rhomberg (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Esther Cohen (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Esther Yehndis-Zipris (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Laurence Miller (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Monika Wuhrer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Moshe Banai (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Zandra Strother (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ilene Richman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeremy Lentz (2020) — Director
- Former: Perry Rosenstein (2020) — Past President & Treasurer · Filing note: Deceased 40320
- Former: Peter Carroll (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $143K, to Neal S Rosenstein (President/Treasurer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Puffin Foundation Ltd
How much does The Puffin Foundation Ltd give each year?
The Puffin Foundation Ltd gave $3.3M across 225 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.5M across 30 grants.
What is The Puffin Foundation Ltd's typical grant size?
The Puffin Foundation Ltd's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $14,875, across 225 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Puffin Foundation Ltd give grants?
The Puffin Foundation Ltd gives mostly in New York: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (12%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (50 grants), Brooklyn, NY (24 grants), Los Angeles, CA (9 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (6 grants).
Does The Puffin Foundation Ltd give general operating support?
Yes: 52% of The Puffin Foundation Ltd's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (117 of 225) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Puffin Foundation Ltd's largest grantees?
The Puffin Foundation Ltd's largest 2025 grantees include Institute for Public Affairs ($325,000), Type Media Center ($307,500) and Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Puffin Foundation Ltd?
The Puffin Foundation Ltd reported $64.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Puffin Foundation Ltd fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to open the doors of artistic expression and help the arts flourish. Its filing describes charitable activity that includes grants and awards for the arts, and operating support for cultural events such as exhibitions and performances. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Puffin Foundation Ltd?
The foundation’s website describes an application process for the 2027 film/video and theater cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Puffin Foundation Ltd's EIN?
The Puffin Foundation Ltd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1164496. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 September 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Puffin Foundation Ltd's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Puffin Foundation Ltd funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-puffin-foundation-ltd-morg_71b5de46682046b8bef3094c22dc5575
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471164496_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Puffin Foundation Ltd funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-puffin-foundation-ltd-morg_71b5de46682046b8bef3094c22dc5575},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 The Puffin Foundation Ltd'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.
The Puffin Foundation Ltd down — hundreds of funders to go?