C.F. Martin & Co. Charitable Foundation Announces 2021 Grants

Nazareth, PA
Tuesday, February 15, 2022

C.F. Martin & Co. Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce grants of 63 grants totaling $400,000 to Lehigh Valley and national organizations at its December 2021 Board meeting.

The Foundation was established by Christian Frederick Martin IV and Diane S. Martin in 1996. Since 1998,  C.F. Martin & Co. has contributed to the Foundation every year (but one) to support Foundation programs. Over 25 years of giving, the Foundation has granted $4.05 million to nonprofit organizations.

We would be remiss if we did not pay tribute to Vice President Diane S. Martin, who if not for her incredible generous spirit and the time she contributed to many philanthropic causes, The Foundation would not be what it is today. The Foundation Board deeply mourns her recent death on January 4, 2022. Diane’s legacy of generosity, warmth, and concern for justice and sustainability will continue to inspire and motivate Foundation giving. The Foundation will continue supporting causes and organizations that were dear to Diane’s heart.

The Foundation grant supported 13 Lehigh Valley organizations in arts and culture, human service, education, and environmental action. The area’s rich cultural environment was supported by Foundation grants to

  • Allentown Symphony Association
  • ArtsQuest
  • Community Music School
  • Godfrey Daniels
  • Lehigh Valley Arts Council
  • Moravian Historical Society
  • Nazareth Center for the Arts
  • Northampton Cty Historical & Genealogical Society
  • PBS39
  • State Theatre Center for the Arts
  • Touchstone Theatre
  • WDIY 88.1

As human service needs expand during the pandemic, Foundation funding supported 18 Lehigh Valley organizations addressing poverty, hunger, and homelessness:

  • Allentown Rescue Mission
  • Bloom – Lehigh Valley
  • Center for Humanistic Change
  • Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley
  • Community Bike Works
  • Family Connection of Easton Inc.
  • Greater Valley YMCA – Nazareth Branch
  • Lifepath
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Miller Keystone Blood Center
  • Morningstar Senior Living Foundation
  • Nazareth Area Food Bank
  • New Bethany Ministries
  • ProJeCt of Easton Inc.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank
  • United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
  • Valley Youth House
  • Visiting Nurse Association of St. Lukes

The Foundation funded 6 Lehigh Valley educational organizations:

  • Da Vinci Science Center
  • Moravian University
  • Muhlenberg College
  • Bethlehem Area Public Library
  • Nazareth Area Public Library
  • Northampton Community College Foundation

NCC Foundation received the largest grant, $35,000 to support the College’s guitar-building program. Other area grants went to Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Easton Development Partnership, and Nazareth Economic Development Commission.

Beyond the Lehigh Valley, the Foundation made 21 grants to organizations, mainly for programs in guitar performance, education and research:

  • 317 Community Music Center (ME)
  • Ashokan Center (NY)
  • At the Tabernacle (NJ)
  • Beyond the Bars (PA)
  • Birthplace of Country Music (TN)
  • Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings (HI)
  • Folk Alliance International (MO)
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center (PA)
  • Guitars in the Classroom (CA)
  • International Bluegrass Music Museum (KY)
  • Morris Museum (NJ)
  • Musical Instrument Museum (AZ)
  • Museum of Making Music (CA)
  • Music Maker Relief Foundation (NH)
  • National Music Museum (SD)
  • Old Town School of Folk Music (IL)
  • Philadelphia Outward Bound (PA)
  • Rockingham County Educational Foundation (NC)
  • University of North Carolina Libraries (NC)
  • WHYY (PA)
  • Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour (KY)
  • Woody Guthrie Center (OK)

2021 Foundation Directors were:

President: C. F. Martin IV, Executive Board Chair of Martin Guitar
Vice-President: Diane S. Martin
Treasurer: James Dunleavy, Vice President, Finance and Operations, Northampton Community College
Secretary: Debra Karlowitch, retired Martin Guitar Vice President of Human Resources
Dick Boak, retired Martin Guitar Director of Museum, Archives, and Special Projects
Susan Kubik, Managing Principal of eAdvancement
Matthew Kennedy, yProject Manager, Martin Guitar;
Dr. Roland Kushner, Professor of Business at Muhlenberg College
Charles J. Peischl, Esq., of Peters, Moritz, Peischl, Zulick, Landes & Brienza

Two new Board members were elected in 2021: Mariclare Groller, Executive Assistant at , C.F. Martin & Co. and John McElroy, Corporate Counsel, C.F. Martin & Co.

The Foundation accepts applications for 2022 grants between August 1, 2022, and September 2, 2022. Guidelines are available at this link or by email from dickboak@gmail.com.