Martino Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Martino Foundation is a small family foundation based in Tampa, Florida, led by trustees Robert J. Martino, Lana Martino, and Anthony Martino. Incorporated in 2017 and rapidly capitalized to $3.6M through $2.9M in total contributions between 2017-2021, this foundation reflects a newly wealthy family establishing structured philanthropy with strong ties to two geographic anchors: Chattanooga, Tennessee and Park City, Utah.

Critical insight: This foundation is fully preselected. All grants are made at the Martino family's personal discretion with no open application process.

The grantee list reveals a distinctive personality: the Martinos are sports-adjacent philanthropists with apparent connections to both professional soccer (Chattanooga Red Wolves, Soccer for Hope) and NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield (whose foundation received $15,000 in 2024). This suggests Robert Martino likely has business or personal connections in the professional sports world. The Park City, Utah pattern — spanning multiple years with grants to Peace House (DV services), National Ability Center, Yellowstone Club Foundation, and Summit Land Conservancy — strongly suggests a secondary residence or vacation home there.

The most viable path to this foundation is through personal connections in: (1) the Chattanooga business/sports community, (2) Park City's luxury resort social circles, or (3) the Tampa Bay professional sports ecosystem. Cold outreach through the "launching soon" website will not work.

## Funding Patterns

The foundation has distributed between $12,135 (2019) and $177,500 (2023) annually, with significant growth after major capital infusions in 2020-2021.

FY2024 giving: $125,500 across 5 grants. Median grant $15,000. Maximum grant $80,000 (Chattanooga Red Wolves Foundation). Asset base $3,642,054.

Historical trajectory: - 2017: $9,000 (1 grant) from $10,932 contributions - 2018: $16,176 (3 grants) from $20,000 contributions - 2019: $12,135 (4 grants) from $440,529 contributions — first major growth year - 2020: $21,500 (8 grants) from $1,247,000 contributions — major capitalization - 2021: $147,500 (6 grants) from $1,740,000 contributions — largest single year of contributions - 2022: $70,500 (4 grants) - 2023: $177,500 (10 grants) — peak giving year - 2024: $125,500 (5 grants) — normalization

Key observations: The $80,000 Chattanooga Red Wolves grant in 2024 represents 64% of total annual giving — suggesting the Red Wolves connection may be a major ongoing commitment, possibly tied to team ownership or sponsorship. All other 2024 grants were $5,000-$15,000, showing a two-tier giving structure: one flagship grant plus several smaller community gifts.

## Peer Comparison

The Martino Foundation's dual-city focus (Chattanooga and Park City) is unusual for a Tampa-based foundation and signals lifestyle philanthropy following the family's personal geography. This pattern is common among newly wealthy families who maintain multiple residences and direct giving toward communities they personally inhabit.

For Chattanooga organizations seeking sports/recreation/community funding, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and the Lyndhurst Foundation are more accessible alternatives. Park City organizations should approach the Park City Community Foundation or George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation.

## Recent Activity

FY2024 (most recent IRS filing): - Chattanooga Red Wolves Foundation (TN): $80,000 — largest single grant, 64% of annual giving - CHI Memorial Foundation (Chattanooga, TN): $15,500 — healthcare - Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation (Liberty Hill, TX): $15,000 — NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield's charity - National Ability Center (Park City, UT): $10,000 — adaptive sports for people with disabilities - Valspar (Palm Harbor, FL): $5,000 — paint company charitable arm or golf tournament sponsorship

FY2023: 10 grants totaling $177,500, including one grant in the $100K-$499K range (likely another large sports commitment) and Catholic Diocesan Development Drive, East Lake Academy, Ronald McDonald House.

Website status: martinofoundation.org shows a "Launching Soon" placeholder page (GoDaddy-hosted), suggesting the family may be planning to go public with grant applications in the future.

Note: The Valspar grant is unusual — Valspar is a paint brand (now owned by Sherwin-Williams). This may reflect a golf tournament sponsorship (the Valspar Championship is held in Palm Harbor, FL) rather than a traditional nonprofit grant.

## Application Tips

Bottom line: Do not apply cold. This foundation has no open application process and a "launching soon" website. All grants are awarded at the personal discretion of the Martino family.

However, the pattern of grantees provides a roadmap for organizations that may encounter the Martino family through natural channels:

1. Chattanooga sports and community organizations: The Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club connection is the foundation's single largest commitment. Organizations with ties to professional soccer, youth sports, or the Chattanooga business community may encounter Robert Martino through that ecosystem.

2. Park City, Utah nonprofits: Peace House (domestic violence services), National Ability Center (adaptive recreation), and Summit Land Conservancy have all received multi-year support. The Yellowstone Club Foundation connection suggests high-net-worth social circles in the Mountain West resort community. Organizations in Park City should focus on relationship-building at community events rather than grant applications.

3. Catholic institutions: St. Mary's Catholic Church (Salt Lake City), JE Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School, and Catholic Diocesan Development Drive suggest Catholic faith is a giving motivation. Parochial schools and Catholic social services in the Chattanooga or Park City markets may resonate.

4. Health and disability services: CHI Memorial Foundation (Chattanooga hospital system), Ronald McDonald House, and National Ability Center show sustained interest in health access and disability services.

Monitor martinofoundation.org for any transition from "launching soon" to an actual website — that may signal the family is moving toward formalized grantmaking. Subscribe to email updates via the contact form on their website if interested in being notified.