Assisting Those Who Help Others
Financial Support for Nonprofit Organizations
Giving Back to Our Communities by Funding Local Charities
Bert W Martin Foundation
Bert W. Martin was born in Chicago on October 12, 1897. An industrialist, philanthropist, and visionary, Bert started a successful printing and packaging company known as the Shellmar Products Company in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. His interest in local philanthropy including healthcare was accentuated by his ownership of the Bert W. Martin Memorial Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
In 1948, Bert started the Bert W. Martin Foundation to provide services to those in need in his community. He was also instrumental, along with other local business leaders, in the creation of the Mount Vernon Community Trust (currently the Knox County Foundation) also aimed at providing support for local charitable organizations.
Bert passed on his dedication to local philanthropy to his only child, Winifred ("Wynee") Martin Warden, who served as chair of the Bert W. Martin Foundation for decades prior to her death in 2017.
During that time, Wynee maintained residences in both Orlando, Florida and Tucson, Arizona and continued the tradition started by her father of directing Foundation giving to local charities. Like her father, Wynee wanted to be able to evaluate the benefits of foundation giving and reward those organizations that met local needs in an effective manner. She continued the family support along with her sons Andy, Chandler, and the late Bert Warden.
This tradition continues with several next-generation descendants of Bert W. Martin participating as Directors of the Foundation which continues to support local charities in the geographic areas where the directors reside, namely Central Florida, Tucson/Southern Arizona, San Francisco Bay Area (San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties only).
Grant Eligibility
Grants are awarded only to Section 501(c)(3) Organizations for use on projects that satisfy at least one of the following:
- For use exclusively in one of the following geographic areas: Central Florida, Tucson/Southern Arizona, San Francisco Bay Area (San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties only).
- If directed to apply by an Officer or Director of the Bert W. Martin Foundation; or
- If the applicant Organization has been awarded a grant by the Bert W. Martin Foundation within the past five (5) years