Private foundation · EIN 31-1483218 · Nazareth, Pennsylvania · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 99 grants paid, $595K total, median $5,000. 76% of grants stayed in Pennsylvania.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
99
$595K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in PA
76%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$11M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 99 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Northampton Community College FoundationBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$35K
United Way of the Greater LvAllentown, PAGeneral donation$35K
Fox Chase Cancer CenterPhiladelphia, PAGeneral donation$20K
National Association of Music MerchantsCarlsbad, CAGeneral donation$20K
Wildlands ConservancyEmmaus, PAGeneral donation$18K
Moravian Historical SocietyNazareth, PAGeneral donation$15K
Nazareth Area Food BankNazareth, PAGeneral donation$15K
Arts QuestBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$13K
Birthplace of Country MusicBristol, VAGeneral donation$12K
New Bethany MinistriesBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$12K
Allentown Art MuseumAllentown, PAGeneral donation$10K
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & MuseumOwensboro, KYGeneral donation$10K
Godfrey DanielsBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$10K
Guitars in the ClassroomSan Diego, CAGeneral donation$10K
Meals on Wheels LvAllentown, PAGeneral donation$10K
Miller Keystone Blood CenterBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$10K
Musical Instrument MuseumPhoenix, AZGeneral donation$10K
Philadelphia Folksong SocietyPhiladelphia, PAGeneral donation$10K
Philadelphia Outward Bound SchoolPhiladelphia, PAGeneral donation$10K
State Theatre Center for the ArtsEaston, PAGeneral donation$10K
Community Action Development Corporation of BethlehemBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$10K
Community Music SchoolAllentown, PAGeneral donation$10K
Country Music Foundation IncNashville, TNGeneral donation$10K
River Crossing YMCADoylestown, PAGeneral donation$10K
Valley Youth HouseBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$8,000
Old Town School of Folk MusicChicago, ILGeneral donation$7,500
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh ValleyBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$7,500
Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown, PAGeneral donation$6,000
Abriendo Mentes (opening Minds)Austin, TXGeneral donation$5,000
Allentown Rescue MissionAllentown, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Allentown Symphony AssociationAllentown, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Bach Choir of BethlehemBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Bethlehem Emergency ShelteringBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Community Services for ChildrenAllentown, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Family Promise of the Lehigh ValleyAllentown, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Folk Alliance InternationalKansas City, MOGeneral donation$5,000
Friends of American Song Archives IncTulsa, OKGeneral donation$5,000
Greater Easton Development Partnership (gedp)Easton, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Hellertown Historical SocietyHellertown, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Historic Bethlehem Museums & SitesBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Ice House Performing Arts CenterBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Lehigh Gap Nature CenterSlatington, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Living Traditions IncNew York, NYGeneral donation$5,000
Manufacturers Resource CenterAllentown, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Morris MuseumMorristown, NJGeneral donation$5,000
Museum of Making MusicCarlsbad, CAGeneral donation$5,000
Nazareth Center for the ArtsNazareth, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Nazareth Economic Development CommissionNazareth, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Pennsylvania Shakespeare FestivalCenter Valley, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Project of Easton IncEaston, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Special Olympics PennsylvaniaBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
The Ashokan CenterOlivebridge, NYGeneral donation$5,000
Via of the Lehigh ValleyBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Visiting Nurse Association of St LukesBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Wdiy 881Bethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Woodsongs Old Time Radio HourLexington, KYGeneral donation$5,000
Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American MusicWest Long Branch, NJGeneral donation$5,000
Holy Family SchoolNazareth, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Lehigh University Zoellner Arts CenterBethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000
Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corp Wlvt-Tv Channel 39Bethlehem, PAGeneral donation$5,000

By state: Pennsylvania 75 · California 3 · Kentucky 3 · New Jersey 4 · Virginia 2 · Tennessee 2

About this foundation

Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, administered in care of Christian F Martin IV, tax-exempt since 1997. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $595K across 99 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation give?

Pennsylvania (75 grants), California (3 grants), Kentucky (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Nazareth that accept applications

All in Pennsylvania
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
William Penn Foundationsince 1947 Philadelphia, PA $149M1,027 grants · 2024 $50KYes $3.3B
John Templeton Foundationsince 1988 West Conshohocken, PA $134M426 grants · 2024 $217KYes $3.4B
Richard King Mellon Foundation Dtd 01-01-47since 1949 Ligonier, PA $117M296 grants · 2024 $220KYes $3.3B
Hillman Family Foundationssince 1965 Pittsburgh, PA $89M814 grants · 2024 $20KYes $1.9B
The Heinz Endowmentssince 1993 Pittsburgh, PA $85M550 grants · 2024 $70KYes $2.1B
Sarah Scaife Foundation Incsince 1960 Pittsburgh, PA $45M176 grants · 2024 $200KYes $936M
Email me matching grants