The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman
The Phyllis L and Leonard J Attman Foundation is a philanthropic organization based in Maryland with a multi-generational commitment to supporting education, medical research, and community initiatives. The foundation reflects the values and interests of Leonard and Phyllis Attman, whose philanthropic reach extends across multiple institutions and causes in the Baltimore region and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$82K
-37.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$549K
-8.9% YoY
Grant Count
17
+54.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
-41.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman reported a distributable amount of $19K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Attmans' philanthropic priorities include:
- Education: Particularly supporting schools serving students with learning differences, including dyslexia
- Medical Research: Brain tumor research, specifically meningioma research
- Health & Human Services: Support for medical institutions and research initiatives
- Community Development: Youth development and human services
The family's involvement in education stems from personal experience. In the early 1970s, when their son Jeffrey struggled with dyslexia, the Attmans helped found The School at Jemicy Farm (now Jemicy School) in 1973 to serve children with language-based learning differences. This foundational commitment to education remains central to their philanthropic work.
Grantmaking
The Attmans have made significant gifts to major institutions:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Attmans' primary funding focus is in Maryland, particularly the Baltimore region. However, their support extends to institutions with national reach, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland system. The family also maintains connections to Florida, as evidenced by their sponsorship of the Phyllis and Leonard Attman Yiddishe Cup golf tournament at B'nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Limited financial data is available from the provided sources. The Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation, which lists Gary L. Attman as Chairman, reported:
- Assets: $5,034,420
- Expenses: $980,541
- Revenue: $868,765
The Phyllis L and Leonard J Attman Foundation itself maintains a separate financial profile as a tax-exempt organization.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $81,620 | $131,020 | — |
| Revenue | $500,000 | $750,000 | $368,000 |
| Expenses | $549,400 | $603,038 | $462,295 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $549,400 | $602,970 | $461,800 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $18,982 | $4,845 | $4,072 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Umb Foundation ($135,000), Erin Michele Levitas Education Foundation Inc ($132,000), Johns Hopkins University & Medicine ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BETH TFILOH CONGREGATION & SCHOOLS BALTIMORE, MD | EDUCATION | $18,000 |
| BNAI TORAH CONGREGATION BOCA RATON, FL | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $10,000 |
| BOYS LATIN SCHOOL TOWSON, MD | MEDICAL | $1,000 |
| BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM FOUNDATION OF AMERICA NEW YORK, NY | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $1,800 |
| CAMP AIRY & LOUISE (ORDER OF THE LEAF) BALTIMORE, MD | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $300 |
| ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY BALTIMORE, MD | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $5,000 |
| ERIN MICHELE LEVITAS EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC PASADENA, MD | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $132,000 |
| JCC OF GREATER BALTIMORE OWINGS MILLS, MD | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $10,000 |
| JEMICY SCHOOL OWINGS MILLS, MD | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY & MEDICINE BALTIMORE, MD | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PROJECTS | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Leonard J. Attman: Co-founder of the foundation; involved in founding Jemicy School in 1973
- Phyllis L. Attman: Co-founder of the foundation; involved in founding Jemicy School in 1973
- Gary Attman, JD '79: Family member; serves as Chairman of the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation board
- Patricia Attman, MD: Family member
- Wende Attman Levitas: Family member; daughter of Leonard and Phyllis Attman
- Michael Levitas: Family member through marriage to Wende Attman Levitas
The Attman family is also connected to Attman's Delicatessen, a well-known Baltimore business, though the family's philanthropic work extends far beyond this commercial enterprise.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEONARD J ATTMAN | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| PHYLLIS L ATTMAN | SECRETARY-TREASURER | — | — |
| WENDE LEVITAS | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JEFFREY ATTMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| SHELLYE GILDEN | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025**: The Attman and Levitas families received the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation's Distinguished Service Award, recognizing their outstanding achievements as volunteers and their substantial contributions to enhancing and sustaining UMB through philanthropy, advocacy, and strategic leadership. The award was presented on April 22, 2025, at the "Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Service, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism" event.
**2025**: The Phyllis L and Leonard J Attman Foundation served as a Platinum Sponsor for the Stroll & Roll 5K Run & Family Fun Walk benefiting the Erin Levitas Foundation.
The Leonard Attman Family Supports Brain Tumor Research | Giving to Johns**2025**: The Phyllis and Leonard Attman Yiddishe Cup golf tournament at B'nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton held its third annual event, with registration open for the fourth annual tournament.
The Leonard Attman Family Supports Brain Tumor Research | Giving to Johns**2017**: The Phyllis & Leonard J. Attman Family and Alumni Center was dedicated at Jemicy School, completing the institution's major capital campaign.
The Leonard Attman Family Supports Brain Tumor Research | Giving to JohnsFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman fund?
The Attmans' philanthropic priorities include: • **Education**: Particularly supporting schools serving students with learning differences, including dyslexia • **Medical Research**: Brain tumor research, specifically meningioma research • **Health & Human Services**: Support for medical institutions and research initiatives • **Community Development**: Youth development and human services The family's involvement in education stems from personal experience. In the early 1970s, when their son J…
How do I apply for a grant from The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman?
The Attmans have made significant gifts to major institutions: • **Jemicy School**: A "significant gift" to complete construction of the Phyllis & Leonard J. Attman Family and Alumni Center, which includes a lower and middle school gymnasium, lunchroom, and multi-purpose space on the school's campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. The building was dedicated in September 2017 and completed the school's "Step Forward" campaign initiated in 2012. • **Johns Hopkins University**: The family established t…
Where does The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman make grants?
The Attmans' primary funding focus is in Maryland, particularly the Baltimore region. However, their support extends to institutions with national reach, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland system. The family also maintains connections to Florida, as evidenced by their sponsorship of the Phyllis and Leonard Attman Yiddishe Cup golf tournament at B'nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.
What size grants does The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman award?
In 2024, The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman awarded 17 grants totaling $549K — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman reported a distributable amount of $19K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman's EIN?
The Phyllis L & Leonard J Attman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6367308. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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