← Back to US Funders Directory

Daniel R Martin Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,830,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Fresno and Central Valley region of California; also Missouri

Contact Details

  • Address: 2377 W Shaw Ave Ste 112, Fresno, CA 93711-3438
  • Phone: 559-225-6502
  • Website: martinfamilyfound.com (Note: This appears to be a basic web presence)
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Daniel R Martin Family Foundation was established in 1995 by Daniel R. Martin, a Fresno businessman associated with Martinoil Co. (also operating as Martin Enterprises). The foundation currently holds assets of approximately $30.96 million and distributed $1.83 million in grants in 2024. Led by CEO Teri Lee Williams, the foundation maintains a low profile while consistently supporting organizations in Fresno and the Central Valley region. The foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on education, arts and culture, human services, and community development, with particular emphasis on projects that provide a better quality of life to individuals and communities in the Central Valley. Recent major commitments include a $3 million donation to Fresno Pacific University for athletic complex improvements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation with discretionary grantmaking. Typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with the foundation making approximately 12-16 grants annually.

Priority Areas

  • Education: Support for higher education institutions (Fresno Pacific University, State Center Community College District) and K-12 schools
  • Arts & Culture: The family created the Daniel R. Martin Masterworks Series at Fresno Philharmonic; supports Fresno Art Museum, Fresno International Grand Opera, Friends of the Big Fresno Fair, and Fresno Storyland
  • Human Services: Community organizations including Fresno Rescue Mission and Fresno County League of Mexican American Women
  • Public Safety: Major support for Fresno Police Chiefs Foundation ($100,000 grant)
  • Environment: Support for Tree Fresno (civic space and environmental initiatives)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation focused on the Fresno/Central Valley region, organizations outside this geographic area or outside their stated priority areas are unlikely to be funded.

Governance and Leadership

Teri Lee Williams serves as CEO of the foundation, working full-time with annual compensation of $180,000. Williams is the daughter of the late Daniel R. Martin and has been actively involved in the foundation's charitable activities, particularly in supporting Christian higher education and local community initiatives.

The foundation maintains a low profile, with limited public information about its board composition or governance structure beyond Williams' leadership role.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Daniel R Martin Family Foundation appears to make grants primarily through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships in the Fresno community. There are no publicly available application guidelines, deadlines, or online portals for grant requests.

The foundation identifies funding opportunities through its connections to the Fresno business community and local nonprofit sector, rather than through an open competitive process.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. As grants appear to be made on a discretionary basis, there are no fixed grant cycles or notification schedules.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 12-16 grants in 2024 from its annual giving of $1.83 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following patterns emerge from their documented grantmaking:

  • Geographic connection is essential: Nearly all documented grants support organizations in Fresno, Clovis, and the broader Central Valley region
  • Established institutions receive major support: The foundation's largest grants have gone to well-established organizations like Fresno Pacific University ($3 million), State Center Community College District, and major arts institutions
  • Multi-year relationships: The creation of the named "Daniel R. Martin Masterworks Series" at Fresno Philharmonic suggests the foundation values ongoing partnerships and legacy-building opportunities
  • Community impact focus: Grants span education, arts, public safety, and social services—all aimed at improving quality of life in the Central Valley
  • Christian values alignment: Support for Fresno Pacific University (a Christian institution) and Fresno Rescue Mission suggests faith-based organizations may align with foundation priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made through trustee discretion
  • Geographic focus is extremely narrow—nearly all grants support Fresno and Central Valley organizations
  • Relationship-building within the Fresno business and nonprofit community is essential for potential funding consideration
  • The foundation makes both major transformational gifts ($3 million to FPU) and smaller community grants ($1,000-$100,000 range)
  • Education and arts/culture organizations appear to be priority areas, along with human services
  • The foundation values legacy-building opportunities (named series, stadium naming rights)
  • Organizations with established track records in the community are most likely to receive support

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory