The Jane Henson Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Jane Henson Foundation is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $773,000 in 27 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $500,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$773,000
- Number of grants27
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$500,000
- Assets$8.2 million
- New grantees0%
Giving in 2025 was up from $755,000 the year before.
0% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $370,000 | 36 | $7.3 million |
| 2024 | $755,000 | 29 | $7.5 million |
| 2025 | $773,000 | 27 | $8.2 million |
How to apply
The Jane Henson Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Jane Henson Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 15 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 5 | $523,000 |
| Georgia | 2 | $100,000 |
| Connecticut | 4 | $53,000 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $19,000 |
| Maryland | 2 | $15,000 |
| California | 3 | $13,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $10,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $10,000 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $5,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Museum of the Moving Image | To support the jim henson collection & related programming | $500,000 |
| Center for Puppetry Arts | To support the jim henson collection & related programming | $85,000 |
| Eugene O'Neill Theater Center | National puppetry conference at the o'neill | $25,000 |
| University of Connecticut Foundation Inc | $10,000 ballard institute and museum of puppetry (fund 0020262), $10,000 dramatic arts - puppetry (fund 0021546) | $20,000 |
| The Puppeteers of America Inc | General operating expenses | $15,000 |
| Unima-Usa Inc | General operating expenses | $15,000 |
| Blair Thomas & Company | To support of chicago international puppet theater festival | $10,000 |
| Jim Henson Legacy | General operating expenses | $10,000 |
| National Museum of American History | To support the jim henson collection & related programming | $10,000 |
| University of Maryland College Park Foundation Inc | Jim henson artist-in-residency fund | $10,000 |
| Academy Foundation | To support academy museum of motion pictures for the jim henson exhibit & related programming | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of Washington County Inc | To support the legacy of henson through the jim henson's boyhood exhibit fund | $5,000 |
| Mead School for Human Development Inc | In memory of jane anne nebel henson | $5,000 |
| Northwestern High School | To support the legacy of henson through the jim henson high school of arts & media | $5,000 |
| Sesame Workshop | To support the preservation of jim henson's work on sesame street | $5,000 |
| The Strong National Museum of Play | To support the jim henson collection & related programming | $5,000 |
| Museum of Pop Culture (Mopop) | To support jim henson exhibit opportunities and programming | $5,000 |
| Automata Arts | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Bob Baker Marionettes Theater | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Columbia Marionette Theatre | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Great Arizona Puppet Theater | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Mayo Street Arts | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Open Eye Figure Theatre | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Puppet Showplace Theater | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Sandglass Theater | To support american puppet theater | $4,000 |
| Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish | For the st. Bridget church in memory of jane anne nebel henson | $3,000 |
| St Paul the Apostle | For music ministry program in memory of jane anne nebel henson | $3,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Heather Henson
Questions people ask
Does The Jane Henson Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Jane Henson Foundation give?
$773,000 in tax year 2025, across 27 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs The Jane Henson Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Heather Henson (President).
What does The Jane Henson Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and faith communities.