The Puffin Foundation is a private foundation that gives grants to left-of-center and arts-focused nonprofits. The Puffin Foundation was launched in 1983 by Perry Rosenstein. ¹ The foundation primarily donates to apolitical charity groups, although its advocacy-related philanthropy has supported environmental and conservation groups in the Northeastern United States. The foundation has a sister organization called the Puffin Foundation West, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, and gives grants in the Southern and Midwestern United States. ²

Funding

The Puffin Foundation has given the most funds to the following five organizations: the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts New Hampshire at $316,668 (2012-2016), the Vinalhaven Land Trust at $150,000 (2012-2014), the North Bennet Street School at $112,000 (2012-2014 and 2016), the Land Trust Alliance at $100,000 (2014-2016), and the North Haven Sustainable Housing (2015-2016). ³

Leadership

Perry Rosenstein is the founder and president of the Puffin Foundation, which he launched with the funds he made in the fastener manufacturing industry. ⁴ He also founded the Teaneck Creek Conservancy in 2001 and is the husband of executive director Gladys Miller-Rosenstein. ⁵

Gladys Miller-Rosenstein is the executive director of the Puffin Foundation and oversees the in-house project the Puffin Cultural Forum. ⁶

Neal Rosenstein is the vice president of the Puffin Foundation’s board of directors and son of Perry and Gladys Rosenstein. ⁷ Neal Rosenstein frequently consults for the New York Public Interest Research Group on its electoral reform advocacy. ⁸ He is also the board treasurer of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. ⁹

Peter N. Carroll is a special consultant to the Puffin Foundation and is chair emeritus for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. ¹⁰

Ilene Richman is a special advisor to the Puffin Foundation’s board of directors, and has been the executive director of the Association of Fertility Awareness Professionals since 2014. ¹¹

1. Melissa. “Perry Rosenstein.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/component/content/article/916-puffin-people-perry.html.
2. “Mission Statement.” Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. June 05, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://puffinwest.org/mission-statement/.
3. Information Provided by FoundationSearch. Puffin Foundation. Accessed, 2019. www.FoundationSearch.com  
4. Melissa. “Perry Rosenstein.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/component/content/article/916-puffin-people-perry.html.
5. Melissa. “Perry Rosenstein.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/component/content/article/916-puffin-people-perry.html.
6. Melissa. “Gladys Miller-Rosenstein.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/component/content/article/917.html.
7. Melissa. “Puffin People.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/about-us/puffin-people.html.
8. Melissa. “Puffin People.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/about-us/puffin-people.html.
9. Melissa. “Puffin People.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/about-us/puffin-people.html.
10. Melissa. “Puffin People.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/about-us/puffin-people.html.
11. Melissa. “Puffin People.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/about-us/puffin-people.html.