Mission:

The Jenifer Altman Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to the vision of a socially just and ecologically sustainable future through program interests in environmental health and mind-body health. Jenifer Altman was a Senior Research Associate at Commonweal, a health and environmental research institute in Bolinas, California. She established the Jenifer Altman Foundation shortly before her death in 1991.



* Environmental Health
* Mind-Body Health Interests
* Local Grants
* Commonweal

The majority of grants range in amount from $1,000 to $10,000.

The Foundation rarely funds projects outside the interest areas described below and only rarely funds unsolicited proposals. If you have questions about whether your project meets our funding priorities, please contact our office.

Environmental Health

The Jenifer Altman Foundation and The Barbara Smith Fund support work to address the impact of chemicals on human and ecological health, and to develop and strengthen an integrated global environmental health and justice movement.

Mind-Body Health Interests

The Jenifer Altman Foundation and the Barbara Smith Fund primarily fund projects that build on the work of the Commonweal Cancer Help Program and the Smith Farm Center for the Healing Arts.

Local Grants

The Jenifer Altman Foundation makes a small number of grants each year that contribute to the well-being of the small coastal community of Bolinas, California, where Jenifer Altman spent the last years of her life.

Commonweal

Jenifer Altman had a strong desire to ensure continued support of Commonweal's work. JAF makes a sustaining grant to Commonweal each year.




In addition to its own grants program, the Jenifer Altman Foundation (JAF) manages the Barbara Smith Fund. JAF also advises the StarFire Fund, the Upstream Fund, and the Environmental Health and Justice Program of the Marisla Foundation. The Upstream Fund, the Barbara Smith Fund and the StarFire Fund do not accept unsolicited proposals.

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Jenifer Altman Foundation expanded its work with grantees and colleagues in the region, and continues to play an active role in the Gulf Coast Ecological Health and Community Renewal Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund is a collaborative grant making effort supporting work that engages, empowers and benefits displaced and returning residents, and promotes the sustainable and just rebuilding of neighborhoods, cities and ecosystems throughout the Gulf Coast. The Fund, housed at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, engages with an Advisory Group comprised of local and state community leaders from the Gulf Coast region. The Advisory Group informs the grant making process and identifies both the issues of greatest concern to the affected communities and the organizations capable of providing the necessary leadership to address these key areas of need. The Fund has been designed to support projects that help to strengthen and amplify local organizing, address justice concerns and build movement.

The Jenifer Altman Awards Program annually honors outstanding commitment and service in promoting and protecting human and ecological health.