Who We Are

Leading the music community’s fight to end cancer.

Through advancements in early detection, screenings and treatments, our grants are saving lives. From pioneering medications, to advanced technologies for tumor tracking, to cutting-edge analysis of genetic and microbiome data, we have championed the trailblazing research of brilliant and hard-working scientists and doctors for close to fifty years.
“There is a cure somewhere. We just haven't found it yet, but we will.”
— Tony Martell, Founder

Our Mission

To cure cancer by bringing the music community together to fund high-risk, high-reward research that could lead to trailblazing advancements in early detection, screening, and treatments.

Our Principles

Honorable

We act honorably and honor the bond between a father’s promise to his son, between a doctor and a patient, a patient and their family, and a community and a cure.

Courageous

We fund research that is unconventional and perhaps goes unnoticed. Research that has a seed of possibility. We’re willing to fail because we know that when we succeed, the results are life-changing.

Progressive

We are not stuck in our ways but able to pivot, act and react in ways befitting the times.

Innovative

We make sure we are out in front of the research we help fund. Research that is trailblazing with regards to early detection, screenings and treatments.

Inclusive

We are better together. New ideas, thoughts, and perspectives are embraced and encouraged. We encourage new energy in our efforts and make sure all voices are heard. 

Our Story

Our Story

In a hospital room in 1974, music industry executive Tony Martell promised his dying son T.J. that he would raise $1 million for research so that other kids with cancer could live longer lives.

T.J. Martell had leukemia, a cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.  At that time, few treatments could help T.J.  So he bravely decided that if he couldn't be cured, he wanted his father to make a promise to help find a cure so that others could be saved. 

Tony Martell made good on his promise, and thanks to the support of the music industry, he started the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Since then, the T.J. Martell Foundation has funded leading NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States, focusing on early-stage research conducted with the brightest minds in clinical and translational cancer science.  The bench-to-bedside process of funding promising research that will lead to clinical trials and drug discoveries has been the Foundation's interest since the organization's launch in 1975.

LEadership

The T.J. Martell Foundation is governed by our Board of Trustees comprised of national leaders from the music and entertainment industry dedicated to curing cancer. Each of our key areas of operations—East Coast, West Coast, and Southern Region—also has a prestigious Board of Governors. The latter serves as our lead ambassadors helping to fulfill our critical mission in each region.

Board of Trustees

The T.J. Martell Foundation is governed by our Board of Trustees comprised of national leaders from the music and entertainment industry dedicated to curing cancer.

Executive Committee

As of May 2024

  • John Esposito, Chairman
  • Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
  • Tom Corson, Warner Records
  • Steve Gawley, Republic Corps, Vice Chairman - Elect
  • Daniel Glass, Glassnote Entertainment Group
  • Jeffrey Harleston, Universal Music Group, Executive Chairman
  • Michael Huppe, Sound Exchange
  • Rich Isaacson, R I Entertainment
  • Michael Kushner, Warner Music Group
  • Dennis Lord, Attorney
  • Marc Reiter, Metallica
  • Darren Stupak, Sony Music Entertainment
  • Julie Swidler, Sony Music Entertainment
  • Andy Tavel, Raines Feldman Littrell LLP
  • Ron Wilcox, MD Consulting, Treasurer
  • Lynn-Anne Huck, the T.J. Martell Foundation, CEO

Trustees

  • John Amato, Modern Luxury
  • Brian Becker, Base Entertainment
  • Steve Blatter, Sirius XM
  • Jennifer Breithaupt, Interpublic Group
  • Charlie Brusco, Red Light Management
  • Stephen Bryan, YouTube
  • Barbara Cane, BMI
  • Michael Cohl, S2BN Entertainment
  • Paul Donahue, Black Squirrel Partners
  • Bruce Eskowitz, Red Light Management
  • Alison Finley
  • Bruce Gearhart, Honkaku Spirits
  • Steve Greenberg, S-Curve Records
  • Clint Higham, Morris Higham Management
  • Charlie Jones, Four Leaf Productions
  • Joel A. Katz
  • Rick Krim, Black Squirrel Partners
  • Paul LiCalsi, Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLC
  • Jay Liepis, Apple Music
  • Avery Lipman, Republic Corps
  • Carianne Marshall, Warner Chappell Music
  • Debbie Martell
  • Beth Matthews, ASCAP
  • Marissa Morris, iHeartMedia
  • Ruby Marchand, The Recording Academy
  • Natalia Nastaskin, Primary Wave
  • Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment
  • Marcus Peterzell, Passion Point Collective
  • Robin Quivers, The Howard Stern Show
  • David Satler
  • Joseph Schmidt, Universal Music Group
  • Andre Stapleton, Amazon Music
  • Terry Stewart, El Dorado Festivals & Events
  • Julie Talbott, Premiere Networks
  • Greg Thompson, Big Loud / Live Nation
  • Afo Verde, Sony Music Entertainment
  • Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Productions
  • Marsha Vlasic, Independent Artist Group
  • Russell Wallach, Live Nation
  • Jeff Zuchowski, The ElementGroup
  • Chaka Zulu, Disturbin Tha Peace

Transparency and Accountability / Financials

Our Mission

To cure cancer by bringing the music community together to fund high-risk, high-reward research that could lead to trailblazing advancements in early detection, screening, and treatments.

T.J. Martell Foundation Policies

As a charitable foundation, our commitment to transparency is key to protecting the trust of our donors and members of the wider public. To that end, the T.J. Martell Foundation has carefully crafted these policies to provide clarity and transparency into how we go about fulfilling our mission to fund innovative medical research by raising funds for cancer research.

Governance Policies

Financial Information

The T.J. Martell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 1975. We have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants at leading institutions across the United States. We're grateful for the support that funds some of the brightest minds and most innovative ideas.

TAX ID: 51-0180178

IRS FORM 990

Audit Reports

We’re excited to share that our organization has earned a 2024 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid!

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