How to apply
Artist grants operate on an annual granting cycle, with a letter of intent phase which includes a one-page letter, a one-page visual and a full application. The application includes a one-page project description, a one-page bio, a budget, a one-page visual and a 3-4 minute video clip. All materials are submitted online at: Https://hensonfoundation.submittable.com/submit Contact: Cheryl Henson, 37-18 Northern Blvd Suite 400, Long Island City, Ny, 2124397504, INFO@HENSONFOUNDATION.ORG Deadlines: The letter of intent deadline is 3/3/2025. The full application deadline is 9/9/2025. Restrictions: Grants are awarded to american artists creating new works of contemporary live puppet theater.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
50 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dixon PlaceNew York, NY | Puppet production | $10K |
| Here Arts CenterNew York, NY | Puppet production | $10K |
| New Victory TheaterNew York, NY | Puppet production | $10K |
| LA MamaNew York, NY | Puppet production | $10K |
| AutomataLos Angeles, CA | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Chicago International Puppet Theater FestivalChicago, IL | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Fractured AtlasNew York, NY | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Fractured AtlasNew York, NY | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Great Small WorksNew York, NY | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Here Arts CenterNew York, NY | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Skysaver ProductionsNew York, NY | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| The Brick TheaterBrooklyn, NY | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $7,000 |
| Chicago International Puppet Theater FestivalChicago, IL | Allelu award | $5,000 |
| Dixon PlaceNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| Fractured AtlasNew York, NY | Allelu award | $5,000 |
| Here Arts CenterNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| LA MamaNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| Lincoln CenterNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| The Battery ConservancyNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| The Center at West ParkNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| The Eugene O'Neill Theater CenterWaterford, CT | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| Research Foundation of the CUNYNew York, NY | Puppet production | $5,000 |
| Wakka Wakka Productions IncBrooklyn, NY | Allelu award | $5,000 |
| Fractured AtlasNew York, NY | Puppet production | $4,000 |
| Mesner Puppet TheaterKansas City, MO | Puppet production | $4,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $4,000 |
| Paperhand Puppet ProjectGraham, NC | Puppet production | $4,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $4,000 |
| Concrete Temple TheatreNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Drama of WorksBrooklyn, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Fractured AtlasNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Great Small WorksNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Here Arts CenterNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Shake on the LakeSilver Lake, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Shake on the LakeSilver Lake, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Skysaver ProductionsNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Rattapallax IncNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| The Cell Theatre CompanyNew York, NY | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Puppet production | $3,000 |
| Green Feather FoundationNew York, NY | Patch (puppetry at the carriage house) | $1,250 |
| Green Feather FoundationNew York, NY | Patch (puppetry at the carriage house) | $1,250 |
| Loco7 Dane Puppet Theatre CompanyNew York, NY | Patch (puppetry at the carriage house) | $1,250 |
| Shake on the LakeSilver Lake, NY | Patch (puppetry at the carriage house) | $1,000 |
| Unima-Usa IncAtlanta, GA | Charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| Puppeteers of America IncMinneapolis, MN | Charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| Historic House Trust of NYCNew York, NY | Charitable contribution | $500 |
By state: New York 35 · Minnesota 8 · Illinois 2 · California 1 · Connecticut 1 · Missouri 1
About this foundation
Jim Henson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Long Is City, New York, administered in care of Ren & Co Llp, tax-exempt since 1984. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Jim Henson Foundation accept grant applications?
No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.
How much does Jim Henson Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $227K across 50 grants, a median of $4,000.
Where does Jim Henson Foundation give?
New York (35 grants), Minnesota (8 grants), Illinois (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
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