Charlotte Y Martin Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $777,000 - $1,318,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (foundation receives many excellent proposals but has finite resources)
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (decisions announced within 2 months of application deadline)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000 (majority fall between $5,000-$15,000)
• Geographic Focus: Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)
• EIN: 47-2057123

Contact Details

Website: www.charlottemartin.org

Email: info@charlottemartin.org

Phone: (206) 664-8815

Location: Seattle, Washington

Overview

The Charlotte Martin Foundation was established in 1987 by Charlotte Yeoman Martin shortly before her death to continue the philanthropic legacy she shared with her husband, Dan Martin (son of former Washington Governor Clarence Martin). Since inception, the foundation has awarded over $20 million primarily in the Pacific Northwest. With assets of approximately $20.8 million, the foundation makes 58-66 grants annually across two core program areas: youth-focused athletics, culture, and education; and wildlife and habitat preservation. The foundation's recent strategic emphasis prioritizes BIPOC-led organizations, rural communities, tribal communities, and organizations serving LGBTQIA+ youth. The foundation operates with no full-time staff, relying on board governance to manage its grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Programs (Ages 6-18)

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000
• Focus Areas: Athletics, Culture, and Education
• Application Method: Online portal during two annual cycles
• Funding Type: General operating support or project-specific grants

The Youth program prioritizes organizations led by BIPOC or serving underrepresented communities. Specific priorities include:

• Increasing access to diverse cultural experiences
• Improving school-based and out-of-school learning opportunities in STEAM and other areas
• Increasing early college awareness and access to post-secondary education
• Increasing access to sports and diversifying sports programs

Wildlife and Habitat Program

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000
• Focus: Conserving biodiversity amid climate change challenges
• Application Method: Online portal during two annual cycles
• Funding Type: General operating support or project-specific grants

The Wildlife and Habitat program supports projects that:

• Utilize the impacts of climate change when selecting areas for protection
• Engage communities in biodiversity and climate change education
• Restore important lands for biodiversity, focal species, and landscape connectivity
• Promote the biodiversity of marine and freshwater environments
• Identify barriers to migration and implement mitigation measures to enhance landscape connectivity
• Develop adaptive restoration strategies based on predicted species range expansion and contraction

Priority Areas

• BIPOC-led organizations with diverse leadership and staff
• Rural communities across the five-state region
• Tribal communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington
• Organizations serving LGBTQIA+ youth
• Locally focused programs in the Pacific Northwest
• Projects addressing climate change impacts on biodiversity

What They Don't Fund

Youth Program Exclusions:

• Education on behavioral issues, bullying, domestic and sexual violence, drug and alcohol abuse
• Pre-Kindergarten programs or programs for college students (funding limited to ages 6-18)
• Children's testing or test preparation
• Purchase of computers or textbooks
• Passive participation by youth
• Programs whose goals are primarily social services
• Curriculum development
• Large capital investment projects
• Transportation to tournaments
• Fitness equipment and activities
• Playgrounds or playground equipment

Wildlife and Habitat Exclusions:

• Organizations that prioritize climate change or conservation without including wildlife and habitat preservation in their mission statement
• City parks, zoos, and aquariums
• Wildlife rehabilitation or captive breeding
• Preservation of small isolated parcels of land
• Land solely valued for recreational purposes
• Projects primarily in urban areas

General Exclusions:

• Organizations headquartered outside of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington
• Programs taking place outside the five-state region
• Organizations that have received funding from the Foundation in 3 or more of the most recent 5 years

Governance and Leadership

The Charlotte Martin Foundation operates with no full-time staff and is governed by a board of trustees who manage the foundation's assets and make all funding decisions. The foundation emphasizes in its FAQ: "Because the Foundation has no full-time staff, we are not able to provide detailed guidance for individual applicants."

Charlotte Yeoman Martin (1919-1987) was born in Butte, Montana, raised near Basin, and schooled in Anaconda. She married Dan Martin, and together they funded significant projects including Martin Stadium and Academic Complex at Washington State University and the Student Athletic Center at Gonzaga University. After Dan's death in 1976, Charlotte continued their philanthropic work and developed her own initiatives focused on culture, athletics and education for youth, and protection of wildlife and habitat.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted exclusively through the foundation's online application portal at www.charlottemartin.org during open grant cycles. Applicants must:

1. Verify the foundation is within an open grant cycle
2. Create an account or log in to the online portal
3. Complete the online application (can save drafts at any time)
4. Review detailed focus areas and exclusions before applying
5. Preview PDF versions of applications for Youth or Wildlife & Habitat categories
6. Submit by the cycle deadline

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or equivalent
• Must be headquartered in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington
• Proposed programs must take place within the five-state region

Application Cycles

The foundation operates two grant cycles annually:

Typical Pattern:

• Spring Cycle: Opens February 1, closes March 1
• Fall Cycle: Opens August 1, closes September 1

2025 Cycles:

• First Cycle: Opens May 1, 2025; closes June 1, 2025; decisions announced by July 30, 2025
• Second Cycle: Opens September 1, 2025; closes October 1, 2025; decisions announced by November 15, 2025

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed after cycle closes
• Decisions announced within approximately 6-8 weeks of deadline
• Notification via email through the online portal system
• The foundation does not provide individual critiques of unsolicited applications

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish specific success rate percentages. However, their communications indicate that "due to the volume of requests received and finite resources available, many excellent proposals fail to receive Foundation funding." In recent years, the foundation has made:

• 2024: 58 awards totaling $1,317,750
• 2023: 61 awards
• 2022: 66 awards

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has a generous reapplication policy:

• Unsuccessful applicants may reapply with no waiting period
• However, organizations that have received funding through the formal application process in 3 or more of the most recent 5 years are requested not to apply
• The foundation notes that "some requests that were not successful in the first attempt were funded in subsequent cycles or via board discretionary grants"

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's own guidance, successful applications demonstrate the following characteristics:

1. Explicit Alignment with Foundation Priorities

The foundation states clearly: "Successful proposals explicitly respond to, and make clear how they will support, one of the Foundation's two emphases (Increasing Opportunities for Minority Youth; and Conserving Biodiversity in a Changing Climate)." Applications should directly reference these priorities and demonstrate clear alignment.

2. Sustainability and Organizational Strength

According to the foundation: "Successful proposals are sustainable. They are built on an organization's strengths and have clearly defined goals. The work to be accomplished is in proportion to the amount being asked for." This suggests the foundation values:

• Realistic scope relative to grant size
• Clear, achievable goals
• Demonstration of organizational capacity
• Long-term viability beyond the grant period

3. Local Focus in the Pacific Northwest

The foundation advises applicants to "request a single-year grant that is locally focused on the Pacific Northwest for a program that serves BIPOC." This indicates preference for:

• One-year grant periods (not multi-year)
• Geographically specific programs
• Direct service to communities in the five-state region

4. Priority Population Focus

While the foundation notes that "BIPOC and rural focus is an area of focus, not a requirement," they emphasize that "the board carefully considers all applications that meet our basic eligibility requirements." However, stated priorities suggest stronger alignment with:

• BIPOC-led organizations or those serving BIPOC communities
• Rural community focus
• Tribal community engagement
• LGBTQIA+ youth services

5. Thorough Review of Guidelines

The foundation repeatedly emphasizes: "We encourage you to study the website for what we support and do not support" and "Make sure to look over the lengthy list of programs the foundation will not fund before applying." Successful applicants clearly:

• Avoid excluded program types
• Stay within appropriate age ranges (6-18 for youth programs)
• Align with mission statement requirements (wildlife/habitat must be central, not tangential)

6. Appropriate Grant Size

The maximum for unsolicited applications is $20,000, with the majority of grants ranging from $5,000-$15,000. Invited organizations may receive larger amounts, but unsolicited applicants should request amounts within this range to align with foundation patterns.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Study the exclusions carefully: The foundation has extensive lists of what they don't fund. Eliminate your organization if you fall into excluded categories to avoid wasting time on an unsuccessful application.

• Be explicit about alignment: Don't assume reviewers will make connections. Clearly state how your proposal addresses either "Increasing Opportunities for Minority Youth" or "Conserving Biodiversity in a Changing Climate."

• Request realistic amounts: With most grants between $5,000-$15,000, requesting the maximum $20,000 should be reserved for substantial, well-justified projects. Consider whether a smaller request might be more competitive.

• Emphasize sustainability and capacity: Demonstrate that your organization has the strength to accomplish the proposed work and that the project is proportionate to the funding requested.

• Reapply if declined: The foundation explicitly encourages reapplication with no waiting period. Some unsuccessful first-time applicants have been funded in subsequent cycles.

• Don't expect individual feedback: The foundation cannot provide critiques of applications due to lack of full-time staff. Use the detailed online guidance and FAQ content to self-assess your proposal.

• Leverage the draft-save feature: The online portal allows you to save drafts. Take advantage of this to refine your application over time rather than rushing to meet the deadline.

• Geographic specificity matters: "Locally focused" programs in the Pacific Northwest appear to be favored over regional or multi-state initiatives. Be specific about where your work takes place.

References

• Charlotte Martin Foundation official website: https://www.charlottemartin.org (accessed March 2026)
• Charlotte Martin Foundation FAQ page: https://www.charlottemartin.org/faq (accessed March 2026)
• Charlotte Martin Foundation About page: https://www.charlottemartin.org/about (accessed March 2026)
• Charlotte Martin Foundation Contact page: https://www.charlottemartin.org/contact (accessed March 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Charlotte Y Martin Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/472057123 (accessed March 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile - Charlotte Y Martin Foundation-Ima: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/charlotte-y-martin-foundation,472057123/ (accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Charlotte Y Martin Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/charlotte-y-martin-foundation (accessed March 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Charlotte Martin Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/m-grants/charlotte-martin-foundation (accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Charlotte Martin Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=3896758 (accessed March 2026)
• Northwest American Indian Coalition grant announcement: https://nwaic.org/news/naic-receives-charlotte-martin-foundation-grant (accessed March 2026)
• Montana Conservation Menu - Charlotte Martin Foundation Grants: https://mtconservationmenu.org/program/charlotte-martin-foundation-grants/ (accessed March 2026)