Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. (PFW) wishes to hear from Not For Profit (NFP) Organizations, American Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents using their Social Security number. The majority of our Grants are given to NFPs whose Mission is to reach across biases and create dialogues that are peaceably transforming, educating and moving our society in a forward-looking, forward-thinking and enlightened manner. We know that artists and the universal language of ART are able to reach across both physical borders and the boundaries of our imagination. 

Our Grants help fund or sponsor projects that are compatible to OUR MISSION and that utilize Fine Arts, Dance, Music, Theater, Creative Writing, Poetry and Photography. We also accept applications that host Public Interest Platforms/Forums, Independent Journalists, or from those NFPs which engage in community, non-partisan discussions. An archive of Grants given historically are on our website. (www.puffinwest.org)

Creative expression and innovation have helped move our society in an enlightened and peaceful manner and have empowered us to recognize our universal humanity. PFW is committed to supporting such projects and Grant Awards given typically with a top GRASSROOTS Award of $2500 with Encouragement Grants in amounts less than $600.

We are egalitarian. We are not centric as we believe that the road to peace is sharing with each other our cultural histories, diversities and ethnicities. Title One, TANF or being under-served or under-privileged are not “passwords” to getting Grants. Our Grants endeavor to elevate everyone from despair, fear, violence, abuse and loneliness; and we hope these Awards help nullify injustices and also raise awareness about the plague of sentient cruelty and extinctions facing us. We know that by using ART, these messages are often understood.

The Puffin is a metaphor for our work. This species once prospered off the coast of New England but was hunted almost to extinction for its feathers and for stew. In the late 1970’s a small group of volunteers worked on a project to reintroduce Puffins back to these islands. This was the first attempt to restore a Puffin colony and at that time, the effort’s outcome was unknown. Puffin life has returned to these islands, but alarmingly, the last few seasons have proven to be the worst breeding seasons ever recorded for Puffins. Pufflings (baby Puffins) fledge at six weeks when their parents hustle them into the ocean but sadly, hundreds of Pufflings and Puffins have been found washed up on the shores of both the New England coast and the coast of Alaska as they are starving to death. The small herring type fish that sustain them are not swimming far enough south because the waters are too warm. Global green-house gas warming caused by human activity, droughts and the encroachment of civilization on these creatures’ habitats have caused this disaster. We all must take notice.

We dedicate ourselves to fighting the extinction of the values that have made our country great: democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity, equality, culture, community, kindness, morals and integrity. We are HUMANKIND and together we must strive to be BOTH – to the planet and all the life it sustains.

PFW will partner and help build community partnerships with other concerned groups and individuals to ensure that the arts as a communication tool continue to grow and enlighten and enrich our lives. We would also ask you to read the Mission Statement below of the self-funded Puffin West project known on the web as 5050USA.com. We ask you to then contribute to this virtual quilt we have created.

Owing to the pandemic our Mission has had to change as PFW cannot be responsible for anyone getting sick or dying. There has been much confusion about the virus and vaccinations and variants and breakthrough cases; therefore our 2022 statement related to only funding virtual events still stands for 2023. This has been difficult for many projects, so we have agreed that if you plan on doing in person events you may NOT use PFW’s name as a funder; however, if you make a video of the event or can zoom it live, PFW will allow you to associate our logo and name with that part of your event ONLY. If you violate this parameter, we will be forced to recall the grant – no ifs, ands, or buts!

TOGETHER WE CAN GET THIS DONE!
IN SERVICE WITH GRATITUDE

JAVA KITRICK, CEO AND DIRECTOR