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Altman Foundation
The Altman Foundation was established in 1913 by Benjamin Altman, founder of the B. Altman & Co. department store chain. Its initial endowment came from...
Altman Foundation
The Altman Foundation was established in 1913 by Benjamin Altman, founder of the B. Altman & Co. department store chain. Its initial endowment came from Altman's estate and has supported New York City institutions since that time. Jane B. O'Connell serves as president and John W. Townsend as trustee and vice president. The foundation allocates across private equity, real estate, and public equities. Confirmed holdings include AG Net Lease Realty Fund IV LP, AG Net Lease Realty Fund II LP, Bain Capital Distressed and Special Situations 2019 (A), LP, Lone Pine Capital, Carlyle Credit Opportunities Fund II, and Warburg Pincus Private Equity XII. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with additional commitments to global private equity funds. It also maintains deposits in New York community development banks and credit unions. The organization employs 15 professionals at its New York headquarters. It maintains memberships in Nonprofit New York and Philanthropy New York. In October 2023 it sponsored the Nonprofit New York Annual Meeting. Service providers include PKF O'Connor Davies as auditor and SeaChange Capital Partners and Silchester International Investors as advisors. Public equity positions include holdings in Vanguard index funds and Silchester International Investors International Value Equity Trust. Its architecture separates grantmaking from investment activity while allowing mission-related investments that generate both financial returns and social impact in New York City. This structure channels capital into community development banks and workforce housing funds alongside traditional grant recipients such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York Community Trust.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1913
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
8 West 40th Street 19th Floor, New York, NY, United States
Principals
Jane B. O'Connell
President
John W. Townsend
Trustee and Vice President
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Altman Foundation?
Jane B. O'Connell serves as president. John W. Townsend acts as trustee and vice president with involvement in the investment committee. External advisors include SeaChange Capital Partners and Silchester International Investors.
Does Altman Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
It holds limited partnership interests in multiple private equity and real estate funds. Examples include Bain Capital Distressed and Special Situations 2019, Warburg Pincus Private Equity XII, and AG Net Lease Realty Fund IV LP.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The foundation was seeded by the estate of Benjamin Altman, founder of the B. Altman & Co. department store.
What investment stages does Altman Foundation typically target?
Its private equity holdings span buyout, distressed debt, and growth strategies through fund commitments. It also maintains public equity and fixed income positions via index funds and external managers.
How is Altman Foundation related to New York Community Trust?
It has collaborated with New York Community Trust on the NYC COVID-19 Impact & Response Fund and lists the trust among notable donation recipients.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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