The Martin Foundation
The Martin Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee, that supports individuals and nonprofit organizations in Davidson County. Founded in 1997, it describes its approach as dignity-first philanthropy focused on practical support and long-term partnership.
The Martin Foundation at a glance
In short: The Martin Foundation gave $125K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $124,750
- +12375.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +1100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,396
- +939.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $355,443
- -30.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Martin Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: The Martin Foundation
Mailing address: 20 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 150, Nashville, TN 37215
Phone: (256) 602-4122
Website: HTTPS://WWW.MARTINFOUNDATIONNASHVILLE.ORG
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Martin Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nashville Ballet ($50K). Together the top 10 received $123K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 13 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Davidson County, Tennessee, as its service area for nonprofit support and describes its work with individuals and families there. In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee, 6% to North Carolina, and 1% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Martin Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 599% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2023) to $125K (2024). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $125K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Ballet Nashville, TN | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Black Mental Health Village Nashville, TN | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Corner to Corner Nashville, TN | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Godspeed Murfreesboro, TN | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Healing Minds and Souls Nashville, TN | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Our Church Ministries Inc Eagleville, TN | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Pencil Nashville, TN | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Hope Station Wilson, NC | Charitable | $7,500 |
| Conexion Americas Nashville, TN | Charitable | $3,000 |
| Renewal House Nashville, TN | Charitable | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Martin Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $355,443 | $19,229 | $171,948 | $124,750 | 12 | $124,750 | $20,827 |
| 2023 | $507,551 | $500,000 | $3,023 | $1,000 | 1 | $1,000 | $2,534 |
| 2022 | $10,574 | — | $889 | — | — | — | $561 |
| 2021 | $11,463 | — | $1,139 | — | — | — | $616 |
| 2020 | $12,602 | — | $1,550 | — | — | — | $691 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Martin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to serve Davidson County by supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations through contributing, listening, collaborating, and experimenting with others. Its website emphasizes dignity, practical outcomes, accountability, and strengthening work that is already being delivered.
For nonprofit partners, the foundation offers unrestricted general operating support and capital support for facilities and infrastructure. It says eligible organizations must be qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. The website says it initially determines eligibility before requesting a recent Form 990, audited financial statement, current budget, information about board and executive leadership, and other collateral materials.
The 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported organizations. Nashville Ballet describes its mission as creating, performing, teaching, and promoting dance as an essential and inspiring part of the community. Corner To Corner says its mission is to extend the hope of Christ through gospel word and loving deeds. Conexión Américas describes its work as building a welcoming community and creating opportunities for Latino families to belong, contribute, and succeed. Renewal House says it treats, promotes healing, and provides housing for women and children affected by substance use disorders. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not stated focus areas of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $124,750 through 12 grants. Grants ranged from $750 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest reported grant was $50,000 to Nashville Ballet. Other notable 2024 grants included $10,000 each to Black Mental Health Village, Corner To Corner, Godspeed, Healing Minds and Souls, Our Church Ministries, and PENCIL; and $7,500 to Hope Station.
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. How to apply: It accepts requests through an application form; the filing lists no deadline. Endowments are not supported.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles N Martin Jr as chairman and Shannon Presley Martin as executive director.
The Martin Foundation is led by Shannon Presley Martin, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shannon Presley Martin
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Charles N. Martin Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Martin Foundation
How much does The Martin Foundation give each year?
The Martin Foundation gave $125K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1K across 1 grant.
What is The Martin Foundation's typical grant size?
The Martin Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,396, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Martin Foundation give grants?
The Martin Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (7 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Martin Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Martin Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (12 grants).
Who are The Martin Foundation's largest grantees?
The Martin Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Nashville Ballet ($50,000), Black Mental Health Village ($10,000) and Corner to Corner ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Martin Foundation?
The Martin Foundation reported $355K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $125K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Martin Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to serve Davidson County by supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations through contributing, listening, collaborating, and experimenting with others. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Martin Foundation?
The Martin Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check martinfoundationnashville.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Martin Foundation's EIN?
The Martin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1679129. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Martin Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Martin Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Martin Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-martin-foundation-morg_5ee0794120ab4f199d259f68332d1bda
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_621679129_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Martin Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-martin-foundation-morg_5ee0794120ab4f199d259f68332d1bda},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Martin Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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