The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Started in 1996 by C.F. Martin IV, the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation supports causes we believe in by giving to nonprofit music, arts, education, environmental action and human services groups. Foundation trustees manage assets conservatively to promote long-term planning. We seek to achieve the best value from our grant-making for the people and causes grantees serve.
2024 Grant Overview
93
Total Grants Awarded
$596,500*
Total Grant Money
Foundation Contributions
Education & Environment
Community Services
Arts, Culture & Humanities
*Includes an additional $100,000 donation to the United Way
Featured Charities
Guitars in the Classroom
Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom is a 25 year-old nonprofit devoted to expanding the role of music in education by providing free, hands-on, inclusive music leadership training, both virtually and in person, for educators serving throughout the U.S. GITC teaches, inspires, and equips anyone serving in education to engage students in music- infused lessons with guitars, ukes, and percussion, fueled by the Power of Song! Educators and school staff members learn to play ukulele and guitar, sing, lead songs, and facilitate collaborative student songwriting. Their work increases students’ access to music from preschool through high school, in both general and special education classrooms, in hospitals, and through after school, and summer music clubs for students of all ages. All of our work includes training educators to learn to lead the way.
Third Street Alliance
TSA’s mission is to inspire and equip women, children, and families to live, learn, and thrive. Their mission has been predicated on meeting the critical needs of our community. Third Street Alliance (TSA) is a multi-program human services agency committed to providing responsive and robust services to our customers. They serve working families by providing accredited childcare, serving many low-income families, and work collectively to provide services to the homeless in our community including providing diversion, shelter, and rapid rehousing.
TSA’s vision is that when connected to community and social networks women, children, and families will achieve positive outcomes including health, social and emotional development, and educational and economic advancement. They believe that housing and education are basic human rights. As working families in the Lehigh Valley struggle to afford high-quality early childhood education and stable housing, TSA is an integral community asset providing quality and consistent programs and services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Allentown Art Museum
An admission-free institution, the Allentown Art Museum (AAM) is the Lehigh Valley’s premier visual arts facility. The Museum maintains a collection of 20,000 works of art in a 54,000+ sq. ft. facility and, in a typical year, welcomes 60,000 – 70,000 visitors. The AAM’s mission is to be an inclusive regional resource that uses arts and culture as a catalyst to drive interaction, education, experimentation, and social change for everyone. The Museum offers thought provoking exhibitions and dynamic educational programs that inspire, teach, transform, and engage the Lehigh Valley—one person, one idea at a time.
PA Youth Theatre
Pennsylvania Youth Theatre (PYT) aims to educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of young people (ages 3-18) through the performing arts. They offer a year-round comprehensive curriculum with classes/ summer camps in drama, voice, and dance, alongside literature-based performances and outreach programs. PYT produces a season of mainstage plays which provides opportunities for students to develop their talents and acquire an appreciation of the arts. Their "Reaching Out!" program brings theatre into schools, enriching learning experiences for students through engaging activities. Led by PYT teaching artists, the outreach program also acquaints teachers with new tools to make learning exciting and meaningful.
Community Bike Works
Community Bike Works uses bicycles to help Lehigh Valley youth learn important life lessons. In our flagship Earn a Bike program, students learn to refurbish a bike of their own while practicing skills including teamwork, communication, and perseverance. Of the nearly 600 youth who participated in Earn a Bike in 2024, 95% said learning to fix their bike helped them understand they can do hard things. Teens can stay engaged in programs that support leadership and healthy living. At CBW’s Easton bike hub, this includes nurturing students’ love of music, including with regular jam sessions and a recent Martin tour!
Wildlands Conservancy
Wildlands Conservancy has been creating lasting connections to nature since 1973. The nonprofit land trust protects green, open spaces and clean water, and is perpetually focused on ensuring nature is nearby for all who call this region home. Its mission is kept alive through the committed support of the community and like-minded businesses.
Wildlands has protected more than 60,000 acres of irreplaceable lands; it educates thousands of students, individuals, and families every year about the environment, and it advances clean water and wildlife habitat within and beyond its 14 nature preserves totaling more than 2,800 acres.
Make a Donation
Started in 1996 by C.F. Martin IV, the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation supports causes we believe in by giving to nonprofit music, arts, education, environmental action and human services groups. Foundation trustees manage assets conservatively to promote long-term planning. We seek to achieve the best value from our grant-making for the people and causes grantees serve.
Donate by Check
C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.
Attn: Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
510 Sycamore Street
P.O. Box 329
Nazareth, PA 18064
Make checks out to: Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Questions? Contact Us