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The Martin Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.6M
Grant Range
Up to $0.5M00
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,600,000
  • Total Assets: $40,000,000
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - $25,000 median
  • Geographic Focus: Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

  • Address: c/o Larry Bean, Casper, WY 82605
  • Website: martinfamilyfoundation.com
  • Executive Director: Sean Dupré

Overview

The Martin Family Foundation was established in 2001 by John and Mari Ann Martin following the sale of assets from the Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline natural gas projects to Encana and Shell. Based in Casper, Wyoming, the foundation manages $40 million in assets and distributed $2.6 million through 51 grants in 2024. The foundation is dedicated to supporting Catholic faith-based initiatives throughout Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, with a particular focus on education, services to the poor and at-risk, evangelization and discipleship, and the promotion of the sanctity of human life. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation has a strong preference for funding projects rather than general operating expenses, though they occasionally assist organizations with operational needs. In 2024, grants ranged from modest amounts to a largest single grant of $515,000, with a median grant size of $25,000.

Priority Areas

Faith-Based Education: Programs that educate children and young adults, especially those grounded in the Catholic faith who would otherwise not have access to quality education. The foundation invests in programs that teach learning fundamentals, life skills, and support long-term well-being of society.

Evangelization and Discipleship: Programs that foster Christian values of hope, love, forgiveness, life, honesty, and charity through education, worship, and community involvement.

Service to the Poor and At-Risk: Programs supporting vulnerable populations and those in need.

Sanctity of Human Life: Support for organizations promoting the preservation of human life from conception until natural death, including pro-life initiatives.

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals for any purpose
  • Grants for political purposes
  • Grants for endowment funds or debt reduction
  • International projects (except on very rare occasions)
  • Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities
  • Private foundations

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • John W. Martin - Director & President: Co-founder of the foundation along with his wife Mari Ann. John was a partner in the development of Wyoming's Jonah Field natural gas project, one of the largest gas fields in America. He and Mari Ann are active parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Denver and serve on multiple boards of Catholic educational and service organizations. In 2013, John co-founded the ViNE Foundation (Visions in the New Evangelization) to address the greatest needs of the Church, with the Amazing Parish Movement as its first project.
  • Mari Ann Martin - Director & Treasurer: Co-founder of the foundation with a focus on Catholic education and pro-life initiatives. She and John have four children and six grandchildren.
  • Brian J. Martin - Director & Vice President: Family member serving on the board
  • Cindy Beers - Director & Vice President
  • Larry G. Bean - Director & Secretary

Staff:

  • Sean Dupré - Executive Director (Compensation: $145,940): Based in Denver, Colorado, holds a Master's degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
  • Angela Hellweg - Assistant (Compensation: $88,554)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Martin Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors to organizations they have identified and selected.

Organizations are typically selected through the board's existing networks, relationships with Catholic institutions, and connections within the faith-based community in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made by the board of directors on their own timeline for preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept outside applications. In 2024, they made 51 grants; in 2023, they made 49 grants.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

Strong Catholic Identity: The foundation primarily supports Catholic institutions and programs that explicitly promote Catholic teachings and values. Recent grant recipients include Catholic schools, pro-life organizations, and evangelization initiatives.

Focus on Education: A significant portion of grants support Catholic education, particularly programs serving students who might not otherwise have access to faith-based schooling. The largest 2024 grant ($515,000) went to Central Denver Classical High School.

Geographic Connection: Organizations must operate in or primarily serve communities in Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming.

Project-Based Initiatives: The foundation has stated a "strong preference for funding projects" over general operating support, though they occasionally provide operational funding.

Alignment with Core Values: Programs must align with Catholic values of hope, love, forgiveness, life, honesty, and charity, with particular emphasis on:

  • Sanctity of human life from conception to natural death
  • Service to the poor and at-risk populations
  • Christian discipleship and evangelization
  • Building family values

Example Grant Recipients (2024):

  • Central Denver Classical High School (largest grant: $515,000)
  • Seeds of Hope (Catholic education scholarship program)
  • Alliance for Choice in Education
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. Do not submit proposals unless specifically invited by the board.

  • Catholic Focus is Essential: The foundation is explicitly dedicated to Catholic faith-based initiatives. Organizations must align with Catholic teachings, particularly on sanctity of life and faith-based education.

  • Geographic Limitation: Focus exclusively on Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. The foundation was created by a Wyoming energy entrepreneur and maintains strong regional ties.

  • Relationship-Driven: Grants are made to preselected organizations identified through the board's networks. Building relationships within Catholic institutional networks in the tri-state area may increase visibility.

  • Project Funding Preferred: When proposing initiatives (if invited), focus on specific projects with clear outcomes rather than general operating support.

  • Seed Funding Approach: The foundation has expressed a desire to "provide seed funding to help organizations establish sound programs that support their mission."

  • Financial Stability: With $40 million in assets and consistent annual giving around $2.6 million, the foundation demonstrates long-term financial sustainability and commitment to its mission.

References

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