Marti Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Marti Foundation is a donor-focused, family-founded scholarship fund with a clear and narrow mandate: educational support for Johnson County, Texas graduates. Founded in 1988 by George and Jo Marti — local broadcasting pioneers and civic leaders (George served as mayor of Cleburne from 1974-86) — the foundation reflects deep community roots and a personal commitment to local education.

Key approach considerations:

1. Individual scholarships only. The Marti Foundation awards scholarships directly to students, not grants to organizations. It is not a typical institutional grantmaker. Nonprofits and schools cannot apply for project funding; however, institutions where Marti scholars enroll (like Hill College and Southwestern Adventist University) benefit indirectly.

2. Highly localized. Eligibility is restricted to Johnson County, Texas high school graduates. The foundation's identity is tightly bound to this single county.

3. Merit + need hybrid. The foundation considers both academic merit and financial need, making it accessible to a broad range of Johnson County students rather than only top academic performers.

4. Managed by family and trusted leadership. Robert Riza serves as President and Trustee, and Michelle S. Marti (likely a family member) handles scholarship coordination. The personal, family-run character suggests relationship-building matters if seeking any form of partnership.

## Funding Patterns

The Marti Foundation operates as a classic endowed private foundation with stable, investment-driven revenue:

• Assets: $16.5M (2024), remarkably stable around $15-16M since at least 2011
• Annual revenue: $1.85M (2024), predominantly from investment returns — 66.7% from asset sales, 33.2% from dividends, with negligible contributions ($250)
• Charitable disbursements: $1.15M (2024), representing 89.8% of total expenses
• Zero debt: The foundation carries $0 in liabilities
• Officer compensation: $117,256 paid to Robert Riza (President/Trustee), the sole compensated officer — a modest 9.2% of total expenses

Giving characteristics: - Awards approximately 60-80 scholarships annually (198 students reported receiving benefits in the most recent program filing) - Each scholarship is $1,500 per semester, renewable for up to 8 semesters ($12,000 total per student) - Total annual scholarship disbursement is approximately $452,320 based on program expense data - The foundation has assisted thousands of students over its 36+ year history - Revenue has fluctuated between $606K and $7.5M annually depending on investment performance, but giving remains consistently high

## Peer Comparison

Analysis: The Marti Foundation's $16.5M asset base places it squarely among mid-size Texas education foundations. Its annual income of $1.85M is on the lower end compared to peers, likely reflecting a more conservative investment strategy. However, its charitable disbursement rate (89.8% of expenses) is notably high, and its operating costs are minimal with only one compensated officer. The foundation's hyper-local focus on a single county distinguishes it from peers that tend to serve broader metro areas. Its zero-liability balance sheet reflects prudent endowment stewardship.

## Application Tips

For students applying for Marti Foundation scholarships:

1. Confirm eligibility first. You must be a high school graduate from Johnson County, Texas. Public, private, home-schooled, and GED recipients all qualify. You must plan to attend an accredited institution — colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical/vocational schools are all eligible.

2. Watch the calendar. The online Scholarship Portal opens March 1st. The submission deadline is May 1st at 11:59 PM. Do not wait until the last day — portal issues or incomplete uploads could cost you the opportunity.

3. Prepare your documents in advance. Before the portal opens, gather transcripts, financial information, and any supporting documents. The application requires document uploads through the portal.

4. Prepare for the interview. All applicants must participate in interviews. Research the Marti Foundation's history — knowing about George and Jo Marti's legacy in Johnson County broadcasting and civic leadership shows genuine interest and respect for the foundation's values.

5. Understand renewal requirements. Once awarded, you must take a minimum of 14 academic hours per semester toward your degree and maintain at least a 2.75 GPA. Scholarships are $1,500 per semester and can be renewed for up to 8 semesters ($12,000 total). You must report to the foundation at the end of each term.

6. Both merit and need matter. The foundation considers academic merit and financial need. Be thorough in documenting both — strong academics alone or financial need alone may not be sufficient without the other.

7. Consider broader institutions. While many scholars attend local schools like Hill College, the scholarship is valid at any accredited institution. Technical schools and graduate programs also qualify — do not assume it is limited to four-year undergraduate programs.