John Martin Foundation (John C. Martin Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $11,216,120 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available (invitation-only process)
• Grant Range: $500,000 - $7,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: International (with focus on underserved populations globally)

Contact Details

Website: https://thejcmfoundation.org/
EIN: 30-0948144
Location: San Francisco, CA

Overview

The John Martin Foundation (also known as The John C. Martin Foundation) was established in 2014 by Dr. John C. Martin (1951-2021), former Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences, and his life partner Dr. Lillian Lou. Following Dr. Martin's retirement from Gilead in 2018, the foundation became the primary vehicle for continuing his philanthropic work. With assets exceeding $52 million and annual giving of approximately $11.2 million, the foundation focuses on facilitating sustainable improvement of health and wellbeing for populations in socially and economically disadvantaged settings worldwide. The foundation's mission centers on advancement of control and prevention of endemic illnesses among underserved populations, with particular emphasis on viral hepatitis and infectious diseases. Dr. Martin's legacy includes revolutionizing worldwide therapy for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C during his tenure at Gilead Sciences.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes strategic grants to selected institutions and organizations working on global health priorities. Recent grant activity demonstrates a focus on substantial, multi-year commitments:

• Major institutional grants: $5,500,000 - $7,000,000 (endowments and major program support)
• Average grant size: Approximately $660,000
• Total grants distributed: 17 grants in recent reporting period

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes local projects that deliver self-sustaining impact and long-lasting community benefits:

• Viral Hepatitis Elimination: Primary focus on hepatitis B and C prevention, treatment, and elimination efforts
• HIV/AIDS Research and Treatment: Supporting virology research and treatment access
• Knowledge-Building for Healthcare Providers: Education and training programs
• Community Health and Safety Practices: Improving health practices in resource-limited settings
• Population Disease Analysis: Supporting epidemiological research and data collection
• Clinical Care Infrastructure: Establishing sustainable healthcare systems
• Healthcare Financing Systems: Building capacity for sustainable health financing

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. They focus exclusively on global health and infectious disease work, particularly in underserved populations.

Governance and Leadership

Dr. Lillian Lou - President and Program Director
Dr. Lou has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, where she directed discovery biology research, clinical studies, and managed regulatory and medical affairs in companies focusing on viral hepatitis and inflammatory diseases. She led medical science activities in HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis in resource-challenged countries across Africa, South-Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Dr. Lou received compensation of $270,000 in the most recent filing year.

Robert Martin - Secretary and Treasurer

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation embodies Dr. John C. Martin's guiding principles, as expressed in his quotes:

• "We must continue to innovate to make our own products obsolete"
• "No show over substance"
• "Everyday we should ask ourselves, what can I work on today to make a difference"

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. According to their policy statement, they do not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's strategic priorities and existing relationships within the global health community. The foundation identifies and approaches organizations whose work aligns with their mission in hepatitis elimination, virology research, and improving health outcomes in underserved populations.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies potential grantees through established networks in the global hepatitis elimination and infectious disease communities. Specific approaches include:

Strategic Partnerships: The foundation has sponsored and maintains relationships with key organizations in the hepatitis elimination ecosystem, including:

• Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE) - The foundation sponsored the Coalition's launch and serves as a founding supporter
• Center for Disease Analysis Foundation and the Polaris Observatory - The foundation's initial 2015 funding catalyzed the Observatory's establishment
• Major academic medical centers with virology and liver disease programs (University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology, UC San Diego)

Connection Points: Organizations working in the foundation's priority areas may increase visibility by:

• Active participation in the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination community of practice
• Contributing to WHO's 2030 hepatitis elimination targets and related initiatives
• Publishing research or developing programs in hepatitis B/C epidemiology and elimination strategies
• Engagement with the UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis (for which CGHE serves as secretariat with foundation support)

Geographic Focus: The foundation has demonstrated interest in organizations working globally, including projects in Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, New York, and across California, Colorado, and other U.S. states, as well as resource-challenged regions in Africa, South-Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grants appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year based on trustee decisions.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only approach. Organizations that receive funding are often supported with multi-year commitments.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, the foundation's documented funding patterns reveal clear priorities:

Sustainable Impact Focus: As stated on their website, the foundation prioritizes "local projects that can deliver self-sustaining impact" and "long-lasting community benefits." Projects must demonstrate how they will continue to deliver results beyond the initial grant period.

Data-Driven Approaches: The foundation's major investments in the Polaris Observatory and epidemiological research demonstrate strong support for evidence-based interventions. The Observatory's data has enabled nationally funded access to hepatitis screening for 1.7 billion people globally, laboratory testing for 24 million people, and treatment for 19 million people.

Systems-Level Change: Recent grants focus on building infrastructure and systems rather than short-term interventions. Examples include:

• Establishing endowed chairs at major universities (UC San Diego, University of Maryland)
• Multi-year support for the Polaris Observatory through 2030
• Supporting secretariat functions for UN-level initiatives

Alignment with WHO Elimination Targets: The foundation's support consistently aligns with the WHO's 2030 hepatitis elimination goals, suggesting that projects demonstrating clear contribution to these targets are prioritized.

Dr. Lou's Perspective: As President and Program Director, Dr. Lou has emphasized the foundation's commitment to resource-challenged populations and the importance of sustained funding. In announcing the $7 million grant to CDA Foundation in 2024, she noted the foundation's decade-long support and commitment to continuing through 2030.

Geographic Reach: While the foundation supports work globally, there is particular emphasis on "resource-stressed populations" and "socially- and economically-disadvantaged settings."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis; unsolicited proposals are not accepted
• Long-Term Relationships: The foundation demonstrates commitment through multi-year support and sustained partnerships (e.g., supporting Polaris Observatory since 2015)
• Focus on Sustainability: All funded projects must demonstrate "self-sustaining impact" and "long-lasting community benefits" beyond the grant period
• Hepatitis Elimination Priority: The overwhelming majority of grants support hepatitis B and C elimination, with secondary emphasis on HIV/AIDS and viral diseases
• Strategic Network Engagement: Visibility within the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination and related WHO/UN initiatives appears to be a pathway to foundation awareness
• Substantial Grant Sizes: Recent grants range from $5.5 million to $7 million, indicating the foundation prefers making fewer, larger, transformational investments rather than many small grants
• Dr. Martin's Legacy: Understanding the foundation's roots in Dr. John C. Martin's pharmaceutical innovation work at Gilead Sciences provides context for their focus on treatment access and elimination goals

References

• The John C. Martin Foundation website: https://thejcmfoundation.org/ (accessed January 16, 2026)
• Business Wire: "Center for Disease Analysis Foundation Receives $7 Million Grant from the John C. Martin Foundation to Support the Polaris Observatory" (November 11, 2024) - https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241111108879/en/
• Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination: "Announcing Support from the John C. Martin Foundation" - https://www.globalhep.org/news-blogs/announcing-support-john-c-martin-foundation (accessed January 16, 2026)
• Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination: "A Tribute to John Martin and His Contribution to Hepatitis Elimination" - https://www.globalhep.org/news-blogs/tribute-john-martin-and-his-contribution-hepatitis-elimination (accessed January 16, 2026)
• University of Maryland School of Medicine: "The Institute of Human Virology Receives $5.5 Million Endowment from the John C Martin Foundation" (January 2025) - https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/news/2025/the-institute-of-human-virology-receives-55-million-endowment-from-the-john-c-martin-foundation.html
• UC San Diego Today: "John C. Martin Endowed Chair in Liver Disease Established at UC San Diego" - https://today.ucsd.edu/story/john-c-martin-endowed-chair-in-liver-disease-established-at-uc-san-diego (accessed January 16, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: John Martin Foundation (EIN 30-0948144) Form 990 filings - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/300948144 (accessed January 16, 2026)
• Scripps Research: "Scripps Research appoints global health advocate Lillian Lou to Board of Directors" (June 30, 2021) - https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2021/20210630-lillian-lou-board-of-directors.html
• Instrumentl 990 Report: The John Martin Foundation - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/john-martin-foundation (accessed January 16, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: John Martin Foundation - https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/300948144-john-martin-foundation/ (accessed January 16, 2026)