The Altmans prioritize grantmaking to health projects. Diabetes research is a top priority, driven by personal forces. The couple gave a $10 million to UC San Diego Health Sciences to help build the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, which is working to find cures for Type 1 diabetes, among other diseases. The forces here are personal as type 1 diabetes has afflicted many generations of the family including the couple’s son and Altman’s father, who lost all of his vision for a time. The Altmans also give steady support to 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. The Altmans support Lisa’s alma mater University of San Diego. Other grantees have included Big Brothers Big Sisters and San Diego Mesa College. Other grantmaking has touched Jewish organizations like Temple Adat Shalom, and local cultural organizations like Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.