The Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on supporting public botanical and horticultural infrastructure, demonstrated by large capital gifts to the Queens Botanical Garden. Its giving is focused on facility construction and improvements intended to benefit the general public, particularly within the New York City/Queens community.
Joan N and Norman Bluestone Foundation Inc has made one grant stand out above the rest: two separate $1,625,000 gifts, in 2024 and 2025, both to Queens Botanical Gardens for construction of an additional building for the benefit of the general public. That pattern shows a funder willing to commit major capital support over multiple years to a single public-facing institution. The foundation also backs scholarship aid for needy children, with grants to institutions such as The New York Botanical Gardens, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Columbia University School of Nursing, and St. John’s University. Its giving suggests a combination of long-horizon facility investment and direct support for educational access. Alongside the botanical garden capital work, the foundation has funded community youth services, local colleges, and neighborhood organizations in New York City. Grants also reach environmental and civic projects, including a community group in Far Rockaway and a Brooklyn food-relief organization. Across the recent record, the foundation’s philanthropy is place-based and oriented toward public benefit, education, and local community needs.
A central theme is botanical and horticultural infrastructure. The foundation gave $1,625,000 in 2025 to Queens Botanical Gardens for construction of an additional building, matching the same amount in 2024 for the same purpose. It also supported Brooklyn Botanical Garden with $17,500 for maintenance and beautification. Education aid is another consistent line of giving. The New York Botanical Gardens received $160,000 in 2025 to provide needy children with financial aid through scholarships, while Columbia University School of Nursing received $30,000 in 2024 for the same purpose. The foundation also funds community-serving organizations. Campaign Against Hunger received $10,000 in 2024 for food to those in need, and Rise in Far Rockaway received $20,000 in 2024 to inspire Rockaway residents to care for their environment. This mix points to support for both public institutions and neighborhood-level service groups.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the middle: p25 is $10,000, median is $18,750, and p75 is $20,000. The distribution is skewed by two much larger capital gifts of $1,625,000 each. Recipients do repeat across years, especially Queens Botanical Gardens and several scholarship beneficiaries, indicating ongoing rather than one-off support in some areas. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, so its giving is conducted through grants rather than direct private support or PRI activity. The recent record also shows many awards in round amounts, with frequent $20,000 and $10,000 grants.
$2.2M
$35.5M
$3.5M
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $19K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$19K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Highly concentrated: very few (two) grants, both sizable and directed to a single grantee; repeat funding for capital projects rather than many small or diversified grants.
Notable grantees: Queens Botanical Garden
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly local: 94% of grants go to recipients in New York, and every recent grant shown is in the US. Within New York City, Queens appears repeatedly through Queens Botanical Gardens in Queens, St. John’s University in Queens, Pomonok Community Center in Flushing, and Community Youth Services Inc in Cambria Heights. Other recurring recipient locations include New York, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Far Rockaway. The pattern is city-centered, with a strong concentration in Queens and adjacent boroughs.
Recent grants go to botanical gardens, universities, community youth organizations, food-assistance nonprofits, and neighborhood groups. Examples include Queens Botanical Gardens for construction of an additional building, scholarship support for the New York Botanical Gardens, and food relief through Campaign Against Hunger.
Most grants are small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $18,750, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. The record also includes two much larger $1,625,000 capital grants.
Yes. Queens Botanical Gardens received $1,625,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for the same construction purpose. Several scholarship recipients also appear more than once, including Community Youth Services Inc, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Yeshiva College.
Its recent record points to botanical and horticultural infrastructure, scholarship aid for needy children, community youth services, environmental stewardship, and food assistance. These themes appear across grants to Queens Botanical Gardens, multiple schools, Rise in Far Rockaway, and Campaign Against Hunger.
The foundation is highly local. Ninety-four percent of grants go to recipients in New York, and the recent grant list is entirely U.S.-based. Many recipients are in Queens, with additional grants in Bronx, Brooklyn, Flushing, Far Rockaway, and Manhattan.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDENS | QUEENS, NY | $1,615,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL BUILDING FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC |
| THE NY BOTANICAL GARDENS | BRONX, NY | $160,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MT SINA | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOTH | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| CORNELL WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY |
| CYCS INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY |
| YOU CAN GO TO COLLEGE FUND | CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| BENJAMIN CARDOZA SCHOOL OF LAW | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| STUDENT SPONSOR PARTNERS | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YOK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| EAST MEADOW UFSD | WESTBURY, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| FIFTH AVENUE COMMITTEE | BROOKLYN, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| DR ROBERTA BLUESTONE ENDOWMENT SCHO | JERICHO, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| THE CHILD CENTER OF NY | FOREST HILLS, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| QUEENS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FLUSHING, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | a holistic approach that deals with immediate needs as well as the barriers that may impede personal, family, and community stability. |
| CITY COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY FOUNDATIO | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY | QUEENS, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| SWIM STRONG FOUNDATION | EAST ELMHURST, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| FROST VALLEY YMCA | CLARYVILLE, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the CANAL |
| CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED |
| PIPER THEATER PRODUCTIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE YOUTH THEATRE |
| brooklyn botanical garden | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the Brooklyn botanical garden |
| INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| YESHIVA COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| RISE | FAR ROCKAWAY, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | inspire rockawy residents to care for their environment |
| CONCRETE SAFARIS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY |
| FRIENDS OF KAISER PARK | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY |
| CONEY ISLAND TRAINING YOUTH OF NY | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSI | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | BRONX, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| alley pond environmental center | DOUGLASTON, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE funding for maintaining the Alley pond environmental center. |
| QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM | FLORAL PARK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDENS | QUEENS, NY | $1,625,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL BUILDING FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC |
| THE NY BOTANICAL GARDENS | BRONX, NY | $160,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MT SINA | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICES INC | CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| BENJAMIN CARDOZA SCHOOL OF LAW | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| FIFTH AVENUE COMMITTEE | BROOKLYN, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YOK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| CITY COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY FOUNDATIO | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| SWIM STRONG FOUNDATION | EAST ELMHURST, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| QUEENS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FLUSHING, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | a holistic approach that deals with immediate needs as well as the barriers that may impede personal, family, and community stability. |
| GOWANUS CANAL CONSERVANCY | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the CANAL |
| YESHIVA COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| THE INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING YOUTHS IN THE COMMUNITY |
| PIPER THEATER PRODUCTIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE YOUTH THEATRE |
| CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED |
| FROST VALLEY YMCA | CLARYVILLE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| THE CHILD CENTER OF NY | FOREST HILLS, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. |
DONATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL BUILDING FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOTH
$25,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
CORNELL WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE
$25,000FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
CYCS INC
$20,000FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
YOU CAN GO TO COLLEGE FUND
$20,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
BENJAMIN CARDOZA SCHOOL OF LAW
$20,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
EAST MEADOW UFSD
$15,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
DR ROBERTA BLUESTONE ENDOWMENT SCHO
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
a holistic approach that deals with immediate needs as well as the barriers that may impede personal, family, and community stability.
CITY COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY FOUNDATIO
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
SWIM STRONG FOUNDATION
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the CANAL
PIPER THEATER PRODUCTIONS
$10,000THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE YOUTH THEATRE
brooklyn botanical garden
$10,000TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the Brooklyn botanical garden
INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
YESHIVA COLLEGE
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
RISE
$7,500inspire rockawy residents to care for their environment
CONCRETE SAFARIS INC
$5,000FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
FRIENDS OF KAISER PARK
$5,000FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
CONEY ISLAND TRAINING YOUTH OF NY
$5,000FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSI
$5,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
alley pond environmental center
$2,500TO PROVIDE funding for maintaining the Alley pond environmental center.
QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM
$2,500TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
DONATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL BUILDING FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICES INC
$20,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
BENJAMIN CARDOZA SCHOOL OF LAW
$20,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
CITY COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY FOUNDATIO
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
SWIM STRONG FOUNDATION
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
a holistic approach that deals with immediate needs as well as the barriers that may impede personal, family, and community stability.
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE maintanance and beautification of the CANAL
YESHIVA COLLEGE
$10,000TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
THE INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL
$10,000SUPPORTING YOUTHS IN THE COMMUNITY
PIPER THEATER PRODUCTIONS
$10,000THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE YOUTH THEATRE
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO PROVIDE NEEDY CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL AID THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.