Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation is a private, company-sponsored foundation based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Established in 1996 by Christian Frederick Martin IV, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on music, arts, education, environmental action, and human services. The foundation is affiliated with C.F. Martin & Co., which has contributed to the foundation annually (with one exception) since 1998 to support its programs.
Key facts about Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
- EIN
- 31-1483218
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $594,750
- Grants made (2025)
- 99
- Average grant
- $6,008
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (77% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation's 99 itemized 2025 grants were Pennsylvania (77%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bethlehem, PA (28 grants), Allentown, PA (22 grants), Nazareth, PA (6 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (5 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$595K
-0.3% YoY
Grant Count
99
+6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-6.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports causes aligned with the following priorities:
- Performance, participation, and education in acoustic steel string guitar music
- Community activity in the Nazareth region
- Study and preservation of America's acoustic guitar heritage
- Arts education programs emphasizing acoustic guitar
- Educational institutions in the Lehigh Valley
- Promotion of arts and culture, primarily in the Lehigh Valley
- Assistance for the poor, hungry, sick, and homeless in the Lehigh Valley
- Environmental action related to guitar-making materials and processes
The foundation does not fund political or religious organizations or activities.
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, including Nazareth, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, as well as national organizations focused on acoustic music. Recent grantees span multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 99 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $9,791,279 (most recent filing)
Annual Giving: $596,500 (2024)
Revenue: $732,647–$983,300 (varies by reporting year)
Expenses: $545,875–$546,000 (varies by reporting year)
Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
413 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Northampton Community College Foundation ($35,000), United Way of the Greater Lv ($35,000), Fox Chase Cancer Center ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $35,000 |
| UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LV ALLENTOWN, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $35,000 |
| FOX CHASE CANCER CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $20,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC MERCHANTS CARLSBAD, CA | GENERAL DONATION | $20,000 |
| WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY EMMAUS, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $17,500 |
| MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY NAZARETH, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $15,000 |
| NAZARETH AREA FOOD BANK NAZARETH, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $15,000 |
| ARTS QUEST BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $12,500 |
| BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC BRISTOL, VA | GENERAL DONATION | $12,000 |
| NEW BETHANY MINISTRIES BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL DONATION | $12,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christian F. Martin IV – President (serves without compensation)
- Diane S. Martin – Vice President (served without compensation; passed away January 4, 2022)
- James F. Dunleavy – Treasurer
The foundation board manages assets conservatively to promote long-term planning.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN F MARTIN IV | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| DIANE S MARTIN | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JAMES F DUNLEAVY | TREASURER | 0.25 | $5,000 |
| RICHARD BOAK | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $2,000 |
| ROLAND KUSHNER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $2,000 |
| DEBRA KARLOWITCH | SECRETARY | 0.25 | $2,000 |
| CHARLES PEISCHL | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $1,000 |
| SUSAN KUBIK | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $1,000 |
| MATTHEW KENNEDY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $1,000 |
| MARICLARE GROLLER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $1,000 |
| JOHN MCELROY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $1,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced its 2024 grants in early 2025, marking 30 years of philanthropic giving since its establishment in 1996. The 2024 grant cycle awarded 93 grants totaling $596,500 to local and national nonprofit organizations.
Martin Guitar marks 30 years of giving with $565K in grants - LVBFeatured grantees include Guitars in the Classroom, a 25-year-old nonprofit providing music education training to educators nationwide, and Third Street Alliance, which supports women, children, and families in the Lehigh Valley.
In 2023, the foundation awarded $485,500 across more than 85 nonprofit organizations, with significant support directed to Lehigh Valley institutions including the Allentown Art Museum, Allentown Symphony Association, ArtsQuest, and numerous human services organizations addressing poverty, hunger, and homelessness.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation supports causes aligned with the following priorities: • Performance, participation, and education in acoustic steel string guitar music • Community activity in the Nazareth region • Study and preservation of America's acoustic guitar heritage • Arts education programs emphasizing acoustic guitar • Educational institutions in the Lehigh Valley • Promotion of arts and culture, primarily in the Lehigh Valley • Assistance for the poor, hungry, sick, and homeless in the Lehigh Valley…
How do I apply for a grant from Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Grants typically range from $1,000 to $100,000, with recent awards ranging from $1,000 to $35,000. **Recent Activity:** • 2024: 93 grants totaling $596,500 (including an additional $100,000 donation to the United Way) • 2023: Over 85 grants totaling $485,500 • 2021: 63 grants totaling $400,000 • 2020: 55 grants totaling $380,000 **Cumulative Impact:** Over 25 years of giving, the foundation has distributed approximately $4.05 million to nonprofit organizations.
Where does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, including Nazareth, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, as well as national organizations focused on acoustic music. Recent grantees span multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky.
What size grants does Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation award?
In 2025, Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation awarded 99 grants totaling $595K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1483218. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.