The Morris & Bessie Altman Foundation
Shelburne, VT · EIN 03-0323120. Reported 280 grants totalling $2,434,100 to 126 organizations across tax years 2020-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Morris & Bessie Altman Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $1,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $750 and $5,000; the smallest was $250 and the largest $275,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stern Center for Language & Learning | Williston, VT | $805,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Shelburne Farms | Shelburne, VT | $263,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Changing Perspectives | Bradford, VT | $158,250 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Vermont Community Foundation | Middlebury, VT | $120,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Vermont Food Bank | Barre, VT | $110,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Howard Center | Burlington, VT | $54,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Champlain College | Burlington, VT | $52,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Howard Center for Human Services | Burlington, VT | $52,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Spectrum Youth & Family Services | Burlington, VT | $51,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| The Collective Education Fund | Washington, DE | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Vtdigger | Montpelier, VT | $44,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Empower Fund Inc | Pomona, CA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fair Democracy Engagement Fund | Washington, DC | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hunger Free Vermont Inc | South Burlington, VT | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Janet S Munt Family Room | Burlington, VT | $40,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Uvm College of Medicine | Burlington, VI | $27,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Vermont Foodbank | Barre, VT | $25,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Burlington City Arts | Burlington, VT | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| University of Vermont Foundation | Burlington, VT | $21,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Tides Center | San Francisco, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Vermont Medicine | Burlington, VT | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| University of Vermont | Burlington, VT | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Lee Pesky Learning Center Inc | Boise, ID | $18,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Team Rubicon USA | Los Angeles, CA | $16,750 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Spectrum Inc | Burlington, VT | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Shelburne Museum | Shelburne, VT | $13,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Humane Society of Chittenden County | Burlington, VT | $12,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Clemmons Family Farm | Charlotte, VT | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Community Health Center of Burlington | Burlington, VT | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Vermont Journalism Trust | Montpelier, VT | $11,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood of Northern New England | Burlington, VI | $10,250 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Lee David Pesky Center | Boise, ID | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Prescott College | Prescott, AZ | $10,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Shelburne Library | Shelburne, VT | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Tides Foundation | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Planned Parenthood of Northern New England | Burlington, VT | $8,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities | Burlington, VT | $8,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| King Street Youth Center | Burlington, VT | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Proctor Academy | Andover, NH | $6,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| University of Vt & State Agric College Foundation | Burlington, VT | $5,500 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| Doctors Without Borders | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Outreach for Earth Stewardship | Shelburne, VT | $5,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Partners in Health | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Trustees of Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Js Munt Family Room | Burlington, VT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| United Way of Northwest Vermont | South Burlington, VT | $4,750 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Burlington Generator | Burlington, VT | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Keeping Track | Richmond, VT | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Age Well | Essex Junction, VT | $3,500 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Flynn Theatre | Burlington, VT | $3,500 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Kids on the Ball Inc | South Burlington, VT | $3,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Vermont Public Radio | Colchester, VT | $3,500 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Vermont Youth Conservation Core | Richmond, VT | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Burlington | Burlington, VT | $3,250 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Sterling College | Craftsbury Common, VT | $3,250 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Cold Hollow Sculpture Park | Enosburg Falls, VT | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf | Burlington, VT | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| King Street Center | Burlington, VT | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Resource | Williston, VT | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| The Hun School | Princeton, NJ | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Vabvi | South Burlington, VT | $2,500 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Vermont Shakespeare Festival | Burlington, VT | $2,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Vermont Youth Conservation Corps | Richmond, VT | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Shelburne Food Shelf | Shelburne, VT | $2,250 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Tuck Annual Giving | Hanover, NH | $2,250 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Committee on Temporary Shelter | Burlington, VT | $2,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Fleming Museum | Burlington, VT | $2,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Partners in Health | Boston, VT | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Sail Beyond Cancer Vt | Shelburne, VT | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Vermont Public Co | Colchester, VT | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vermont Youth Orchestra Association Inc | Colchester, VT | $2,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| ACLU of Vermont | Montpelier, VT | $1,750 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Vermont Women's Fund | Middlebury, VT | $1,750 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Boon Philanthropy Inc | Cumberland, RI | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Echo Museum | Burlington, VT | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Food 4 Farmers | Burlington, VT | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Greater Delaware Valley Society of Transplant | Philadelphia, PA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Shelburne Craft School | Shelburne, VT | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Shelburne Rescue | Shelburne, VT | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Greater Burlington YMCA | Burlington, VT | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Vermont Youth Orchestra | Colchester, VT | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Friends Furever Animal Rescue | Pennellville, NY | $1,100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| 52 Kids | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Burlington City Arts Foundation Inc | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boon Philanthropy Inc | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Child Care Resource | Williston, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Dismus House | Hyde Park, VT | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Flynn Center for Performing Arts Ltd | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| FOOD4FARMERS | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Generator Inc | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gift of Life Donor Program | Philadelphia, PA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lee Pesky Center | Boise, ID | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Let's Grow Kids | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Mountain Lake PBS | Plattsburgh, NY | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Opera Company of Middlebury Inc | Middlebury, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Partners in Health a Nonprofit Corporation | Boston, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pathways Vermont Community Center | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rilos Rescue Inc | Ketchum, ID | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rilo's Rescue | Ketchum, ID | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Safe in Austin Rescue Ranch | Leander, TX | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Shelburne Crafts School | Shelburne, VT | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Special Olympics Vermont | South Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| The Dorset Equine Rescue | East Dorset, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The School House | South Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Vermont Symphony Orchestra Inc | Burlington, VT | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Food 4 Farmers | Hinesburg, UT | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Junior Milers Inc | Hinesburg, VT | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pathways Vermont Inc | South Burlington, VT | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Resource a Nonprofit Community Enterprise Inc | Williston, VT | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Hun School of Princeton | Princeton, NJ | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Town of Shelburne-Rescue Department | Shelburne, VT | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vermont Public Television | Winooski, VT | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| 52 Kids Foundation Inc | Hinesburg, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cradle to Graves | Chelsea, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dismas of Vermont Inc | Winooski, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dismas House | Burlington, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Greater Burlington YMCA Foundation Inc | Burlington, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Junior Miller Inc | Dallas, TX | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Inc | Burlington, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lyric Theater Company | South Burlington, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Mountain Lake Public Telecommunications Council | Plattsburgh, NY | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Burl Vt Inc | Burlington, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vermont Association for the Blind Inc | South Burlington, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vermont Community Foundation-Vermont Women's Fund | Middlebury, VT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Partners in Adventure | Charlotte, VT | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
65 of 126 (52%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 59%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 170 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 57 | $434,750 | $1,000 |
| 2021 | 45 | $436,500 | $1,000 |
| 2022 | 45 | $228,000 | $750 |
| 2023 | 66 | $733,350 | $1,000 |
| 2024 | 67 | $601,500 | $1,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 87% of this one's giving went to organizations in Vermont. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $1,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Vermont.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Morris & Bessie Altman Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: Po Box 458, Shelburne, VT, 05482. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 03-0323120 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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