Martin Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,185,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $550,000
• Geographic Focus: National and international (originated in Pennsylvania)
• Total Assets: Approximately $29 million
• Current Status: Phasing down operations; not accepting new applications

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 749, Doylestown, PA 18901
Alternative Address: 1047 Jaine Ln, Chester Springs, PA 19425
Phone: (215) 348-8149
Website: https://www.themartinfoundation.org
Director: Jessica M. Thompson

Overview

Founded in 1995 by George Martin in honor of his parents, George and Miriam, the Martin Foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to more than 130 organizations since inception. With approximately $29 million in assets, the foundation distributed $1,185,000 through 11 grants in 2023, with a median grant size of $10,000. Originally focused on river and watershed conservation in Pennsylvania, the foundation's scope expanded to national and international levels over time. Today, its primary focus is environmental litigation addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, while still supporting initiatives in history, education, medical, conservation, and relief. The foundation is currently phasing down operations and is not accepting applications from new organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Martin Foundation historically awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 and above under certain circumstances. In recent years, grants have varied significantly, from smaller $10,000 awards to major grants exceeding $500,000.

Application Method: Previously accepted the Common Grant Application Form of Delaware Valley Grantmakers with a June 30 deadline. Currently not accepting applications from new organizations.

Priority Areas

• Environmental litigation (primary focus)
• Climate change initiatives
• Biodiversity loss prevention
• Clean air and water protection
• Environmental justice
• River and watershed conservation
• History
• Education
• Medical
• Relief efforts

What They Don't Fund

Must be a 501(c)(3) organization. Specific exclusions not publicly documented, but grants are limited to foundation's stated areas of interest.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• George Martin (Founder): Serves as Chairman on the Planning Commission of West Vincent Township in Chester County and as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Earthjustice, the world's largest nonprofit environmental law firm. Previously served on the Board of Directors of the French & Pickering Conservation Trust in Chester County, PA and was honored with the "Morris Conservation Award" in 2013. Active in progressive movements since the 1960s, Martin is especially passionate about environmental protection, particularly concerning the impact of fossil fuel dependence on climate.
• Glenn Emery
• Rebecca Martin/Rebecca Wood
• Carol Martin Strange/Lawrence Strange
• Christy Martin
• Maura Shuey

Director: Jessica E. Thompson (compensation: $20,000 for 10 hours of work)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Martin Foundation is currently phasing down operations and is not accepting applications from new organizations.

Historically, the foundation accepted applications through:

• The Common Grant Application Form of Delaware Valley Grantmakers
• Application deadline: June 30
• Contact: Jessica M. Thompson, Director

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 11 grants in 2023, 10 grants in 2022, and 9 grants in 2021. Overall, since inception, the foundation has supported more than 130 organizations with over $21 million in grants. However, specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials.

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

The foundation's 2023 grants totaling $1,185,000 included:

• Sierra Club Foundation: $550,000 for environmental preservation
• YMCA of Bucks County: $400,000 for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility
• Trust for Public Land: $100,000 for conservation efforts
• Northern Sierra Partnership: $50,000 for community well-being
• Freire Foundation: $30,000

The concentration of large grants to major environmental organizations reflects the foundation's strategic focus on environmental litigation and climate change.

Application Success Factors

Note: This information reflects the foundation's historical grant-making practices, as they are no longer accepting new applications.

• Environmental focus: The foundation's shift from local watershed conservation to national and international environmental litigation demonstrates their evolving priorities. Projects addressing climate change and biodiversity loss aligned most closely with their current mission.

• Large vs. small grants: While the median grant was $10,000, the foundation made significant investments in major environmental organizations, with grants up to $550,000. This suggests they supported both grassroots efforts and large-scale litigation campaigns.

• Geographic evolution: Starting with Pennsylvania-focused river and watershed conservation, the foundation expanded to support national and international environmental causes, indicating openness to broader geographic scope for aligned projects.

• Founder's values: George Martin's personal commitment to environmental protection, particularly concerning fossil fuels and climate impact, clearly influenced funding priorities. His leadership role at Earthjustice suggests strong alignment with environmental legal strategies.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation is phasing down operations and not accepting new applications - this opportunity is effectively closed to new applicants
• Historical grant range was extremely broad ($5,000 to $550,000+), suggesting flexibility based on project scope and impact
• Environmental litigation, climate change, and biodiversity loss became the primary focus areas in recent years
• The foundation made relatively few grants annually (11 in 2023) but included some very substantial awards
• The Common Grant Application format from Delaware Valley Grantmakers was previously accepted, indicating preference for standardized applications
• George Martin's personal passion for environmental protection and his role with Earthjustice shaped the foundation's strategic direction
• Since inception, the foundation supported over 130 organizations with $21 million total, demonstrating sustained commitment before phasing down

References

• The Martin Foundation official website. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.themartinfoundation.org/
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Martin Foundation. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/272178874-martin-foundation/
• Martin Foundation | GrantExec. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://grantexec.com/foundations/272178874
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Martin Foundation (EIN 27-2178874). Accessed January 18, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272178874
• "George Martin Returns to Earthjustice Board of Trustees," Earthjustice, 2020. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://earthjustice.org/press/2020/george-martin-returns-to-earthjustice-board-of-trustees
• "Earth Day: The George and Miriam Martin Foundation," PA Work Injury Blog, April 2015. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.paworkinjury.com/blog/2015/04/earth-day-the-george-and-miriam-martin-foundation/
• Cause IQ - Martin Foundation. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/martin-foundation,272178874/