Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2025 it gave $594,750 in 99 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $35,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$594,750
- Number of grants99
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$35,000
- Assets$13.8 million
- New grantees21%
Giving in 2025 was down from $596,500 the year before.
21% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $485,500 | 86 | $10.8 million |
| 2024 | $596,500 | 93 | $12.0 million |
| 2025 | $594,750 | 99 | $13.8 million |
How to apply
Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 75 | $456,500 |
| California | 3 | $35,000 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $16,000 |
| Kentucky | 3 | $16,000 |
| Virginia | 2 | $14,500 |
| Tennessee | 2 | $12,000 |
| New York | 3 | $11,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $10,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $7,500 |
| Missouri | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton Community College Foundation | General donation | $35,000 |
| United Way of the Greater LV | General donation | $35,000 |
| Fox Chase Cancer Center | General donation | $20,000 |
| National Association of Music Merchants | General donation | $20,000 |
| Wildlands Conservancy | General donation | $17,500 |
| Moravian Historical Society | General donation | $15,000 |
| Nazareth Area Food Bank | General donation | $15,000 |
| Arts Quest | General donation | $12,500 |
| Birthplace of Country Music | General donation | $12,000 |
| New Bethany Ministries | General donation | $12,000 |
| Allentown Art Museum | General donation | $10,000 |
| Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum | General donation | $10,000 |
| Godfrey Daniels | General donation | $10,000 |
| Guitars in the Classroom | General donation | $10,000 |
| Meals on Wheels LV | General donation | $10,000 |
| Miller Keystone Blood Center | General donation | $10,000 |
| Musical Instrument Museum | General donation | $10,000 |
| Philadelphia Folksong Society | General donation | $10,000 |
| Philadelphia Outward Bound School | General donation | $10,000 |
| State Theatre Center for the Arts | General donation | $10,000 |
| Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem | General donation | $10,000 |
| Community Music School | General donation | $10,000 |
| Country Music Foundation Inc | General donation | $10,000 |
| River Crossing YMCA | General donation | $10,000 |
| Valley Youth House | General donation | $8,000 |
| Old Town School of Folk Music | General donation | $7,500 |
| Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley | General donation | $7,500 |
| Muhlenberg College | General donation | $6,000 |
| Abriendo Mentes (Opening Minds) | General donation | $5,000 |
| Allentown Rescue Mission | General donation | $5,000 |
| Allentown Symphony Association | General donation | $5,000 |
| Bach Choir of Bethlehem | General donation | $5,000 |
| Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering | General donation | $5,000 |
| Community Services for Children | General donation | $5,000 |
| Family Promise of the Lehigh Valley | General donation | $5,000 |
| Folk Alliance International | General donation | $5,000 |
| Friends of American Song Archives Inc | General donation | $5,000 |
| Greater Easton Development Partnership (Gedp) | General donation | $5,000 |
| Hellertown Historical Society | General donation | $5,000 |
| Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites | General donation | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Christian F Martin IV
- Diane S Martin
- James F Dunleavy
- Richard Boak
- Roland Kushner
- Debra Karlowitch
- Charles Peischl
- Susan Kubik
- Matthew Kennedy
- Mariclare Groller
- John McElroy
Questions people ask
Does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation give?
$594,750 in tax year 2025, across 99 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Christian F Martin IV (President), Diane S Martin (Vice President), James F Dunleavy (Treasurer) and Richard Boak (Director) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and environment and conservation.