George & Miriam Martin Foundation
The George & Miriam Martin Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1995 by George Martin in honor of his parents, George and Miriam. Based in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with tax-exempt status since February 1996.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.2M
-21.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+1.5% YoY
Grant Count
29
-12.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+15.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George & Miriam Martin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $275K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on environmental conservation and protection. Initially focused on river and watershed conservation in Pennsylvania, the foundation's scope has expanded to national and international levels. Today, while continuing to support river and watershed conservation activities—including trails, conservation easements, and wetland protection—the foundation's primary focus has shifted to environmental litigation addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. The foundation champions clean air, clean water, environmental justice, and a healthy future for all.
Grantmaking
Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to more than 130 organizations. Grant awards have ranged from $1,000 to $2 million.
Ready to take the next step with George & Miriam Martin Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations primarily in Pennsylvania, Maine, and California, though its scope has expanded to include national and international environmental initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available financial data:
- Total Assets: $4,165,696 to $5.33 million (varying by reporting year)
- Total Giving: $2,256,371 (2024)
- Annual Revenue: $1.47 million (2023)
- Annual Expenses: $2.2 million (2023)
- Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,165,696 | $5,332,946 | $6,069,614 |
| Revenue | $1,121,084 | $1,465,335 | $1,350,147 |
| Expenses | $2,288,334 | $2,202,003 | $2,231,971 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,256,371 | $2,193,100 | $2,225,824 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,120,520 | $1,464,965 | $827,160 |
| Distributable Amount | $274,821 | $335,727 | $489,765 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
173 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Earthjustice ($2,038,871), Delaware River Keeper ($35,000), American Whitewater ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN WHITEWATER CULLOWHEE, NC | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $20,000 |
| COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND MERCERSBURG, PA | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $5,000 |
| DELAWARE RIVER KEEPER BRISTOL, PA | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $35,000 |
| DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY SANIBEL, FL | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $5,000 |
| DOWNEAST SALMON FEDERATION COLUMBIA FALLS, ME | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $4,000 |
| EARTHJUSTICE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $2,038,871 |
| FRENCH & PICKERING CREEK CONSERVATION DEVAULT, PA | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $2,500 |
| GREEN VALLEYS ASSOC POTTSTOWN, PA | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $4,000 |
| HORSESHOE TRAIL CONSERVANCY INC SOUTHEASTERN, PA | SUPPORT THEIR WORKSUPPORT THEIR WORK | $1,000 |
| INTERAMERICAN ASSOC FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE (AIDA) SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SUPPORT THEIR WORK | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE MARTIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GLENN EMERY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| REBECCA WOOD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHRISTY MARTIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MAURA SHUEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LAWRENCE STRANGE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.themartinfoundation.org
- Phone: 215-834-7656
- Address: 1047 Jaine Lane, Chester Springs, PA 19425-3016
- EIN: 23-2828201
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does George & Miriam Martin Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on environmental conservation and protection. Initially focused on river and watershed conservation in Pennsylvania, the foundation's scope has expanded to national and international levels. Today, while continuing to support river and watershed conservation activities—including trails, conservation easements, and wetland protection—the foundation's primary focus has shifted to environmental litigation addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. The foundat…
How do I apply for a grant from George & Miriam Martin Foundation?
Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to more than 130 organizations. Grant awards have ranged from $1,000 to $2 million. **Current Status:** The foundation is currently phasing down operations and is not accepting applications from new organizations. The foundation maintains a complete history of grants awarded, with recent grant recipients listed for 2025, 2024, and 2023 on its website.
Where does George & Miriam Martin Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations primarily in Pennsylvania, Maine, and California, though its scope has expanded to include national and international environmental initiatives.
What size grants does George & Miriam Martin Foundation award?
In 2024, George & Miriam Martin Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is George & Miriam Martin Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, George & Miriam Martin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $275K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is George & Miriam Martin Foundation's EIN?
George & Miriam Martin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2828201. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George & Miriam Martin Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Wolf Creek Operating Foundation
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation
LANCASTER, PA
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$304K
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Howmet Aerospace Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$141.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$8.4M
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with George & Miriam Martin Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching George & Miriam Martin Foundation to a real strategy.