The Altec/Styslinger Foundation is the corporate foundation of Altec Industries, a company based in Birmingham, Alabama that manufactures products for the utility, telecommunications, and tree-care industries.

The bulk of the foundation’s giving is towards supporting universities and other projects in Alabama. In addition, the foundation largely gives towards causes such as religious ministries, educational charities, medical research and treatment charities, and youth services organizations. The only advocacy group to receive a foundation grant in 2019 was the center-left Brookings Institution. ¹

In 2019, the Altec/Styslinger Foundation’s largest single grant went to the University of Alabama-Birmingham. The university received a grant of $1 million, which is nearly one-quarter of the total grants that the foundation made that year. ²

Overview

The Altec/Styslinger Foundation is a Birmingham, Alabama-based private grantmaking foundation. It is the corporate foundation of Altec Industries, a heavy equipment manufacturing company that manufactures products for the utility, telecommunications, tree-care, and other industries. ³

The bulk of the foundation’s giving is toward universities and other educational institutions. However, the foundation also donates towards other causes such as medical research, health care-related charities, youth organizations, religious ministries, and museums. ⁴

In 2015, the foundation was a major donor to the Birmingham Zoo’s “Renew the Zoo” campaign, which includes the construction of a new front entrance and Asian Passage exhibit. The foundation gave a “leadership gift” to help the zoo raise $3 million from other foundations and businesses. ⁵

Also in 2015, the foundation donated $150,000 to the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation. The money was used to help bridge the gap between the school system’s needs and local and state funding. ⁶

In 2018, the foundation made what was described as a “seven figure” gift to the Aspen Education Foundation. The donation was used to help Aspen High School students attend college through The Aspen Promise, which provides financial aid to students. ⁷

In 2020, the foundation made a $1 million donation to Birmingham Promise, which provides higher education tuition assistance to Birmingham students. The foundation made the donation to support workforce development in the city. ⁸

In 2020, the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) broke ground on the Altec Slyslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Facility, supported by a generous grant from the foundation. ⁹

In 2021, the foundation funded an endowed chair at UAB’s School of Medicine. ¹⁰

Leadership

Lee J. Styslinger, Jr. is the chairman of the foundation. He is the former CEO of Altec Industries. ¹¹

Lee J. Styslinger, III is the president and CEO of the foundation. He succeeded Styslinger Jr. as the CEO of Altec Industries; Allen W. Ritchie was elected to succeed Styslinger III in October 2021. ^{12 13}

Finances

In 2019, the foundation had $12,386,732 in total revenue and $4,289,734 in expenses. It had assets of $109,643,557. ¹⁴

The foundation generally gives to causes such as education, health care, youth organizations, and museums. However, it did award a $125,000 grant to the center-left Brookings Institution. ¹⁵

Its largest single contribution in 2019 was $1 million to UAB. ¹⁶

1. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
2. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
3. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
4. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
5. “Birmingham Zoo Campaign Chair Announces 85% Of $18 Million Goal Raised.” Birmingham Zoo. Accessed May 16, 2022. https://www.birminghamzoo.com/2016/01/14/birmingham-zoo-campaign-chair-announces-85-of-18-million-goal-raised/.
6. “Schools Foundation Receives Donation Commitment.” Village Living. July 7, 2015 https://www.villagelivingonline.com/news/schools-foundation-receives-donation-commitment-0707/.
7. [1] “Aspen Education Foundation Lands Seven-Figure Donation.” Aspen Times. July 9, 2018. https://www.aspentimes.com/news/aspen-education-foundation-lands-seven-figure-donation/.
8. “Three Corporate Entities Commit $1 Million Each To The Birmingham Promise.” Birmingham, Alabama Government. Feb. 25, 2020. https://www.birminghamal.gov/2020/02/25/three-corporate-entities-commit-1-million-each-to-the-birmingham-promise/.
9. Cunningham, Beth. 2020. “$75 Million Development Could Make UAB A Global Leader In Biotech Field.” Bham Now. Dec.13, 2020 https://bhamnow.com/2020/06/24/75-million-development-could-make-uab-a-global-leader-in-biotech-field/.
10. Estes, Cary. “Honoring A Life Of Care: Altec-Styslinger Foundation Helps UAB Establish New Endowed Chair.” UAB Medicine Magazine. Accessed May 16, 2022. https://www.uab.edu/medicine/magazine/spring-2021/honoring-a-life-of-care-altec-styslinger-foundation-helps-uab-establish-new-endowed-chair.
11. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
12. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full
13. ”Altec Announces Senior Leadership Succession Plan. Altec Inc, October 7, 2021. https://www.altec.com/altec-announces-senior-leadership-succession-plan/.
14. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
15. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.
16. Altec Styslinger Foundation. Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721372302/202033219349101678/full.