The W M Pitkin Foundation concentrates its giving in New Jersey, backing a small set of repeat grantees with multi‑year or multiple awards. Its largest commitments are to environmental education through NJ Audubon, alongside support for higher education at Rutgers and a health/science professorship at Hackensack University Medical Center. The foundation favors programmatic education and capacity/endowment support rather than broad, one‑off philanthropy.
W M Pitkin Foundation Inc Winne Banta Basralian & Kahn Pc gives repeatedly to a small group of New Jersey institutions, with NJ Audubon Society standing out as a major recipient across multiple years. The foundation’s recent awards show a steady pattern of support for educational programming, environmental conservation, and institutional capacity at organizations such as Hackensack University Medical Center and Rutgers University Foundation. Its largest recent commitments include multiple grants to NJ Audubon Society for educational programs, plus endowment professorship funding at Hackensack University Medical Center. That combination points to a funder that backs both public-facing programs and longer-term institutional assets. The grant record also shows attention to local civic and educational organizations beyond the best-known repeat grantees. Awards to Newark Science & Sustainabilty, Bergen Family Center, Franklin Lakes Free Public Library Found, and Meadowlands Area YMCA place the foundation in a network of community-based education, social center, and service organizations. Across the list, the foundation favors New Jersey recipients and often returns to the same institutions over several years, rather than spreading gifts widely across many states or sectors.
Environmental education is one of the clearest themes in the recent record. The foundation gave $260,000 and $250,000 to NJ Audubon Society in 2023 for educational programs, then followed with a $200,000 award in 2025 for the same purpose. It also supported New Jersey conservation work with $40,000 to New Jersey Conservation Foundation in 2026 for environmental purpose and $30,000 each in 2025 and 2026 to Tropical Studies Support Fund for environmental work. Higher education is another recurring area. Rutgers University Foundation received $90,000 in 2023, $60,000 in 2025, and $30,000 in 2026 for educational support. The foundation also funded Burgundy Farm Country Day School with $50,000 in 2026 for educational purposes. In health-related giving, Hackensack University Medical Center received awards for endowment professorship funding, while Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative received grants for medical volunteer work.
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, while the annual grants total is $618,100. The pattern leans toward repeat support: several recipients appear across multiple years, including NJ Audubon Society, Rutgers University Foundation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Tropical Studies Support Fund, and Adler Aphasia Center. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its portfolio shows institutional and program support rather than a one-time, widely dispersed model.
$2.2M
$7.5M
$1.3M
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 94% of grants go to recipients in NJ.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, large grants to a few repeat grantees — primarily NJ‑based organizations — with multiple commitments to the same institutions rather than many small, diverse gifts.
Notable grantees: NJ Audubon Society, Rutgers University Foundation, Hackensack University Medical Center
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local, with 94% of grants going to recipients in New Jersey. New Brunswick, Hackensack, Bernardsville, Maywood, Newark, Englewood, and East Rutherford all appear in the recipient list, showing a strong in-state spread across higher education, medical, environmental, and community organizations. Outside New Jersey, the list includes Alexandria, Virginia, and New York, New York, but those are exceptions within a New Jersey-dominant record.
The recent record centers on education, environmental programming, health-related institutional support, and community social centers. Examples include New Jersey educational institutions, conservation groups, medical organizations, and local community service groups, with repeat awards to several of the same recipients over multiple years.
The grant-size distribution is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger awards for institutional support and educational programming.
Yes. The geographic scope is local, and 94% of grants go to recipients in New Jersey. Recipient cities in the state include Bernardsville, Hackensack, New Brunswick, Newark, Maywood, Englewood, and East Rutherford.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including NJ Audubon Society, Rutgers University Foundation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Tropical Studies Support Fund, and Adler Aphasia Center. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time awards.
Recent grantees include NJ Audubon Society, Hackensack University Medical Center, Rutgers University Foundation, Little Theatre of Alexandria, Bergen Family Center, Newark Science & Sustainabilty, Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, and Franklin Lakes Free Public Library Found.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | HACKENSACK, NJ | $135,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT PROFESSORSHIP FUND |
| LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $59,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| BURGUNDY FARM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | FAR HILLS, NJ | $40,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSE |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| TROPICAL STUDIES SUPPORT FUND | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| BERGEN FAMILY CENTER | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| FRANKLIN LAKES FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUND | FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| ADLER APHASIA CENTER | MAYWOOD, NJ | $25,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| NEWARK SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILTY | NEWARK, NJ | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF NJ | BOONTON, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | YOUGH SERVICES |
| NJ LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ED | TRENTON, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENT |
| GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | MORRISTOWN, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION |
| NJ AUDUBON SOCIETY | BERNARDSVILLE, NJ | $14,100 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM | ST MICHAELS, MD | $12,500 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| FRIENDS OF HOPEWELL VALLEY OPEN SPACE | TITUSVILLE, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| SUSTAINABLE MARKETS FOUNDATION - MENHADEN PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| VETERAN CONSERVATION HUNTERS | HIGHLAND PARK, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BRANCHBURG, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| CENTER FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE | PARAMUS, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| FRIENDS OF HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $7,500 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| HUNTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY INC | LEBANON, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| HEALING THE CHILDREN NORTHEAST | NEW MILFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESERACH |
| AMERICA'S GROW-A-ROW | PITTSTOWN, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| CHATHAM EMERGENCY SQUAD | CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| URBAN SEEDS GROW | NEWARK, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| GREEN ACRE COMMUNITY GARDEN | PATERSON, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| CHATHAM JAYCEES | CHATHAM, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| WEEQUAHIC PARK ASSOCIATION | NEWARK, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| NEW JERSEY HIGHLANDS COALITION | BOONTON, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| NJ AUDUBON SOCIETY | BERNARDSVILLE, NJ | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | HACKENSACK, NJ | $135,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT PROFESSORSHIP FUND |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $60,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| TROPICAL STUDIES SUPPORT FUND | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $30,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| NEWARK SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILTY | NEWARK, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| BERGEN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INITIATIVE | HACKENSACK, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL VOLUNTEER |
| ADLER APHASIA CENTER | MAYWOOD, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| NJ LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ED | TRENTON, NJ | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENT |
| HOVNANIAN SCHOOL | NEW MILFORD, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | FAR HILLS, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE | PARAMUS, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| BAKRADOUNY LODGE 38 INC | HACKENSACK, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF NJ | BOONTON, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | YOUGH SERVICES |
| PATRIOTS PATH COUNCIL | CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED PARKS AS ONE | NEWARK, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| CHATHAM EMERGENCY SQUAD | CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| CHATHAM JAYCEES | CHATHAM, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL CENTER |
| GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | MORRISTOWN, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION |
| HEALING THE CHILDREN NORTHEAST | NEW MILFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESERACH |
| BERGEN FAMILY CENTER | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL CENTER |
HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$135,000ENDOWMENT PROFESSORSHIP FUND
LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA
$59,000SOCIAL CENTER
BURGUNDY FARM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$50,000EDUCATIONAL
NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$40,000ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSE
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$30,000EDUCATIONAL
TROPICAL STUDIES SUPPORT FUND
$30,000ENVIRONMENTAL
BERGEN FAMILY CENTER
$30,000SOCIAL CENTER
FRANKLIN LAKES FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUND
$25,000EDUCATIONAL
ADLER APHASIA CENTER
$25,000SOCIAL CENTER
NEWARK SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILTY
$20,000EDUCATIONAL
THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF NJ
$15,000YOUGH SERVICES
NJ LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ED
$15,000EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENT
GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$15,000ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NJ AUDUBON SOCIETY
$14,100EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM
$12,500ENVIRONMENTAL
FRIENDS OF HOPEWELL VALLEY OPEN SPACE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
SUSTAINABLE MARKETS FOUNDATION - MENHADEN PROJECT
$10,000ENVIRONMENTAL
VETERAN CONSERVATION HUNTERS
$10,000SOCIAL CENTER
RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
CENTER FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
FRIENDS OF HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK
$7,500ENVIRONMENTAL
HUNTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY INC
$5,000SOCIAL CENTER
HEALING THE CHILDREN NORTHEAST
$5,000MEDICAL RESERACH
AMERICA'S GROW-A-ROW
$5,000ENVIRONMENTAL
CHATHAM EMERGENCY SQUAD
$5,000SOCIAL SERVICES
URBAN SEEDS GROW
$5,000ENVIRONMENTAL
GREEN ACRE COMMUNITY GARDEN
$5,000SOCIAL CENTER
CHATHAM JAYCEES
$5,000SOCIAL CENTER
WEEQUAHIC PARK ASSOCIATION
$5,000EDUCATIONAL
NEW JERSEY HIGHLANDS COALITION
$5,000EDUCATIONAL
NJ AUDUBON SOCIETY
$200,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$135,000ENDOWMENT PROFESSORSHIP FUND
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$60,000EDUCATIONAL
TROPICAL STUDIES SUPPORT FUND
$30,000ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWARK SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILTY
$25,000EDUCATIONAL
BERGEN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INITIATIVE
$25,000MEDICAL VOLUNTEER
ADLER APHASIA CENTER
$25,000SOCIAL CENTER
NJ LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ED
$15,000EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENT
HOVNANIAN SCHOOL
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$10,000ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSE
CENTER FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
BAKRADOUNY LODGE 38 INC
$10,000SOCIAL CENTER
THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF NJ
$10,000YOUGH SERVICES
PATRIOTS PATH COUNCIL
$5,000YOUTH ORGANIZATION
UNITED PARKS AS ONE
$5,000EDUCATIONAL
CHATHAM EMERGENCY SQUAD
$5,000SOCIAL SERVICES
CHATHAM JAYCEES
$5,000SOCIAL CENTER
GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$5,000ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
HEALING THE CHILDREN NORTHEAST
$5,000MEDICAL RESERACH
BERGEN FAMILY CENTER
$5,000SOCIAL CENTER