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

Teaneck International Film Festival

2025 Film Festival | November 6-13 MORE INFO

Opens 24 Sep, 2025

Gallery for Social Activism

The Puffin Gallery for Social Activism at the Museum of the City of New York
MORE INFO

Opens 4 Feb, 2020

Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship

Supporting visionaries who challenge the status quo
MORE INFO

Opens 4 Feb, 2020

Puffin Cultural Forum

Fostering a dialogue of art, issues & community
MORE INFO

Opens 4 Feb, 2020

News

The Puffin Foundation Announces Major Gift to Museum of the City of New York

June 8, 2026

he Puffin Foundation Ltd. and the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) today announced a transformative gift, totaling $8 million—the second largest in the Museum’s history—to establish The Puffin Foundation Center for Social Activism.  The new Center builds upon a partnership between the Museum and The Puffin Foundation Read More

alba and puffin logo

Announcing The Alba/Puffin Prize

April 9, 2026

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) announces that the 2026 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism will go to Bay Resistance & Unión del Barrio. One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Read More

Tickets Available for The Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship

March 24, 2026

We’re proud to announce this year’s winners of The Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship: Hands Off NYC and Unidos MN. These two grassroots organizations help mobilize efforts in their communities in New York City and Minneapolis. Award ceremony will be May 18th. We are thrilled to announce that Chris Hayes Read More

Future Tense: Where is Journalism Heading?

February 12, 2026

On Thursday, January 29, The Puffin Foundation was honored to host a conversation at our Brooklyn space about the future of independent media, presented by The Nation. The panel featured StudentNation writers Ilana Cohen, Aina Marzia, and Lara-Nour Walton and was moderated by Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel.  It’s safe to say that the young journalists made a huge Read More

image is black with white text Steal This Story Please surrounded by film festival accolades

“Steal This Story, Please!” Post-Screening Talkback

January 29, 2026

Steal This Story, Please! is the story of fiercely independent journalist Amy Goodman and her three decades holding the powerful to account, reporting from conflict zones and the Democracy Now! newsroom. In Steal This Story, Please!, Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin craft a riveting portrait of journalism’s power – Read More

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