About Us

The Puffin Foundation, Ltd. seeks to open the doors of artistic expression by providing grants to artists and art organizations who are often excluded from mainstream opportunities due to their identities or social philosophies.

Why the Puffin?

The Puffin, once endangered in the northeastern United States, was returned to its native habitats through the efforts of a concerned citizenry. Our name is a metaphor for how we perceive our mission in the arts: to join with other concerned groups and individuals to ensure that the arts not merely survive, but flourish at all levels of our society.

Our Grantees

Special Projects

Gallery for Social Activism

The Puffin Gallery for Social Activism at the Museum of the City of New York
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Opens 4 Feb, 2020

Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship

Supporting visionaries who challenge the status quo
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Opens 4 Feb, 2020

ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism

Honoring International Champions of Human Rights
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Opens 4 Feb, 2020

Investigative Journalism

Helping Make Journalism that Matters Possible
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Opens 4 Feb, 2020

Puffin Cultural Forum

Fostering a dialogue of art, issues & community
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Opens 4 Feb, 2020

More Special Projects

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Opens 4 Feb, 2020

News & Blog

Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

Happy Labor Day Weekend! The office of The Puffin Foundation and Cultural Forum will be closed on Monday 9/1. Have a great weekend! “Real heroes are not on national television or in the headlines. They are the nurses, the doctors, the teachers, the social workers, the janitors, the hospital orderlies, Read More

Migration Stories

August 22, 2025

Our inaugural exhibit, “Migration Stories,” opened on 4/26/25 and was on view through 6/21/25. We featured an installation piece by the artist Mona Saeed Kamal, titled 1001 Migrations. This evocative work is composed of 1001 delicate paper boats folded out of hand painted paper.The installation is complemented by material from the ACLU’s Border Read More

MCNY Unveils News Section of Activism NY

August 20, 2025

The New York Times and The City Life both published articles focusing on the new exhibit in the Puffin Gallery for Activism at the Museum of the City of New York. The new exhibit, Housing Activism: Rent Strikes and Tenant Mobilizations, 1908–1939, is an ongoing exhibit on view now. You can Read More

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The Teaneck International Film Festival presents a $5,000 “Emerging Filmmaker Activist Award” to Celebrate Its 20th Anniversary

August 1, 2025

The Teaneck International Film Festival‘s new “Emerging Filmmaker Activist Award” will highlight powerful new voices in activism-driven cinema and solidify TIFF’s reputation as a platform for change-making storytellers. TIFF is a project of The Puffin Read More

A Puffin with open wings and a Statue of Liberty crown next to cartoon fireworks

Puffin Holiday Hours

July 3, 2025

Happy 4th of July! Puffin Cultural Forum, The Puffin Foundation, and Puffin Brooklyn will be closed today, Friday 7/4 in observance of the holiday. Our offices will reopen Monday, Read More

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