Altman Foundation
The Altman Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its mission is to enrich quality of life in New York City by supporting programs and institutions that advance opportunity and equity for individuals, families, and communities.
Altman Foundation at a glance
In short: Altman Foundation gave $12.9M across 216 grants in 2024 (avg $60K), mostly in New York. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,875,141
- +2.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 216
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $59,607
- -3.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $286,541,001
- +1.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (26 of 198, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Altman Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its LOI process, currently limited to the Health portfolio. Applicants should review the Foundation’s guidelines and submit an LOI through the grant portal. The Foundation’s filing says to consult its grant guidelines for application materials and award restrictions.
- Contact
Application contact: Deborah T Velazquez
Mailing address: 8 West 40Th Street, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 682-0970
Email: info@altman.org
Website: https://altmanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Altman Foundation
Altman Foundation Grant
Altman Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Altman Foundation Grants - Cultural Engagement, Youth Development & the Arts
Altman Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Altman Foundation Grants - Education
Altman Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Altman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The New York Community Trust ($600K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,049 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 480 grants of 1,049 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation states that it supports programs and organizations within New York City’s five boroughs. In 2024, 97% of its grant dollars went to recipients in New York State; the reported shares for Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC, were 1% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 216 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Altman Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 26 of 198 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $69K. How we count
Medians: $43K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.6M (2023) to $12.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 216 grants totaling $12.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Schools New York, NY | For the High-Impact Tutoring Initiative | $250,000 |
| The New York Community Trust New York, NY | To support services and supports through the fund for the newest new yorkers, a collaborative fund | $250,000 |
| Fund for Public Schools Inc New York, NY | To ensure effective implementation of the career navigation roadmap | $200,000 |
| Goddard Riverside Community Center New York, NY | To support direct college access and success services, training for college access and success professionals, and research and advocacy to close postsecondary attainment gaps | $200,000 |
| New Visions for Public Schools New York, NY | To promote improved postsecondary outcomes among students from new visions schools as well as nyc public schools more broadly | $175,000 |
| New York Foundation New York, NY | To Help Support the Neighborhoods First Fund | $175,000 |
| United Way of New York City New York, NY | To support change capital fund's capacity building of nonprofit, community-based organizations in high-poverty neighborhoods | $175,000 |
| Eagle Academy Foundation Inc New York, NY | To Support the Eagles Soaring Beyond (ESB) Initiative | $150,000 |
| Fund for Public Health in New York Inc New York, NY | To support outreach to low-income immigrant new yorkers over 65 about the availability of medicaid benefits along with where and how to enroll | $150,000 |
| National Education Equity Lab Inc New York, NY | To expand access to college coursework from top colleges and universities for nyc public high school students | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Altman Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $286,541,001 | $28,077,811 | $21,414,704 | $12,875,141 | 216 | $15,429,499 | $20,449,753 | $13,917,255 |
| 2023 | $283,326,707 | $12,171,056 | $18,396,836 | $12,550,565 | 203 | $15,053,697 | $8,023,967 | $13,705,136 |
| 2022 | $277,355,017 | $13,837,021 | $20,449,704 | $12,553,457 | 198 | $14,978,271 | $9,241,752 | $14,943,847 |
| 2021 | $322,209,563 | $29,749,252 | $20,427,448 | $12,663,824 | 212 | $14,975,850 | $23,897,505 | $14,854,563 |
| 2020 | $293,697,439 | $24,091,648 | $19,560,053 | $12,646,510 | 220 | — | $22,176,305 | $12,589,477 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Altman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it seeks to expand New Yorkers’ access to quality programs and resources, encourage system-wide improvement while maintaining direct services, and support preventive and early-intervention strategies. It also emphasizes self-sufficiency, innovation, high-quality services, and tracking meaningful results. It has a particular interest in programs serving children and youth from underserved communities, immigrants, and older adults.
Its Education objectives include expanding high-quality learning time for disadvantaged children and youth and increasing underserved students’ access to and success in postsecondary education. In Health, it supports work to expand access to care and strengthen community-based services for underserved and vulnerable populations. Its other stated areas include strengthening communities and cultural engagement, youth development, and the arts.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Expanded Schools says it works to ensure New York City young people can access enriching programs that affirm their identities and build skills. New Visions for Public Schools describes its mission as improving NYC public-school quality and helping students graduate prepared for college and careers. Goddard Riverside Community Center says it promotes dignity and self-reliance across generations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 216 grants totaling $12,875,141. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $250,000 to Expanded Schools for a high-impact tutoring initiative and $250,000 to The New York Community Trust for services through the Fund for the Newest New Yorkers, a collaborative fund. Other examples include $200,000 to the Fund for Public Schools for implementation of the Career Navigation Roadmap; $200,000 to Goddard Riverside Community Center for college access and success services; and $175,000 to New Visions for Public Schools to promote improved postsecondary outcomes.
The Foundation’s website says it uses letters of inquiry to learn about organizations working in its program areas, but that only Health portfolio LOIs are currently being accepted. New applicants are asked to submit an LOI through the grant portal, describing their organization and proposed project, track record, anticipated results, and alignment with the Foundation’s desired results. If staff identify a potential match, they may contact the applicant about a full proposal; an invitation does not guarantee an award. LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the Foundation says it does not have deadlines for requests from organizations that are not current grantees. It is not accepting full proposals from organizations that are not current grantees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Deborah T. Velazquez as president and trustee; Jane B. O’Connell as chair and trustee; John W. Townsend as vice president, treasurer, and trustee; and Beverly F. Chase as secretary and trustee. Other trustees listed are James M. Burke, Wilfred A. Finnegan, William A. Goodloe, Lisa Hinds, Ellen L. Rautenberg, and David Nocenti. Finnegan is also listed as assistant treasurer, and Rautenberg as assistant secretary.
Altman Foundation is led by Deborah T. Velazquez, President & Trustee since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deborah T. Velazquez
President & Trustee
President → President & Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$334K (2020) → $382K (2024)
Jane B. O'Connell
Chair & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beverly F. Chase
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen L. Rautenberg
Assistant Secretary & Trustee
Trustee → Assistant Secretary & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James M. Burke
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John W. Townsend
Vice President, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Hinds
Trustee
Trustee-Term → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wilfred A. Finnegan
Assistant Treasurer & Trustee
Trustee → Assistant Treasurer & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William A. Goodloe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Nocenti
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Shen
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia V. Shea
Trustee Emerita
Trustee → Trustee Emerita, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia J. Volland
Trustee Emerita
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Sandra A. Lamb (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Luther M. Ragin Jr. (2020) — Trustee-
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $382K, to Deborah T Velazquez (President, Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Altman Foundation
How much does Altman Foundation give each year?
Altman Foundation gave $12.9M across 216 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.6M across 203 grants.
What is Altman Foundation's typical grant size?
Altman Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $59,607, across 216 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Altman Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does Altman Foundation give grants?
Altman Foundation gives mostly in New York: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (129 grants), Brooklyn, NY (39 grants), Bronx, NY (15 grants) and East Hampton, NY (4 grants).
Does Altman Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Altman Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 216) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Matching Gift for Programs and Initiatives in New York" (40 grants) and "To Provide Capacity Building Support" (5 grants).
Who are Altman Foundation's largest grantees?
Altman Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The New York Community Trust ($600,000 across 4 grants), Research Foundation of the City University of New York ($525,000 across 5 grants) and Fund for the City of New York Inc ($325,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Altman Foundation?
Altman Foundation reported $286.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Altman Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it seeks to expand New Yorkers’ access to quality programs and resources, encourage system-wide improvement while maintaining direct services, and support preventive and early-intervention strategies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Altman Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its LOI process, currently limited to the Health portfolio. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Altman Foundation's EIN?
Altman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1623879. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Altman Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Altman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Altman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/altman-foundation-morg_1fc26bfe15394a67ad2e74a236d5ff8d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131623879_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Altman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/altman-foundation-morg_1fc26bfe15394a67ad2e74a236d5ff8d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Altman Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Altman Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?