Lisa & Steve Altman Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Lisa & Steve Altman Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to health and medical research, particularly diabetes research. It also earmarks funds for causes like education, Jewish causes, and cultural institutions.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
PROFILE: Established in 2003, the Lisa & Steve Altman Family Foundation was established by Qualcomm veteran Steve Altman and his wife Lisa, Qualcomm’s first attorney. Steve rose to become president and vice chairman of Qualcomm during his nearly 25 years at the company. Raised in Tuscon, Arizona, Steve Altman graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in criminal justice and police science. He had plans of being a probation officer and also received his J.D. from University of San Diego Law School in 1986. His wife Lisa was hired as the first-ever attorney at Qualcomm and Altman followed her to the company, rising to the role of vice president and chairman.
The foundation does not have a web presence. According to tax filings, the Lisa & Steve Altman Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to health and medical research, particularly diabetes research. It also earmarks funds for causes like education, Jewish causes, and cultural institutions.
Grants for Health and Medical Research
The Altmans gave a $10 million gift to UC San Diego Health Sciences to build the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, which works to find cures for Type 1 diabetes, among other diseases. Type 1 diabetes has afflicted many generations of the Altman family, including the couple’s son and Altman’s father, who lost all of his vision for a time. The Altmans also support Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and have hosted “Rock the Cure,” a fundraising event at their residence.
Other grantees have included Immunotherapy Foundation, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute.
Grants for Education and Youth
The Altmans support Lisa’s alma mater University of San Diego. Other grantees have included Big Brothers Big Sisters and San Diego Mesa College.
Grants for Jewish Causes and the Arts
Other grantmaking has touched Jewish organizations like Temple Adat Shalom, and local cultural organizations like Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $100 to $456,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $945,000. Past grantees have included Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Temple Adat Shalom, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
Important Grant Details
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
The Lisa & Steve Altman Family Foundation
9696 La Jolla Farms Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
