Stories

The Martin Foundation Fund

Martin Foundation

The Martin Foundation Fund at HCF will continue the charitable legacy established by law partners and siblings Argue Martin (left) and Hubert Martin (right) in 1968.

“Hamilton Community Foundation is the perfect home for the Martin Foundation as we transition to a new phase,” says family member Rosalind Johnston. “The legacy of the Martin family, and the Martin & Martin law firm, continues in Hamilton with this step.”

Argue Martin and Hubert Martin (Rosalind’s uncle and father respectively) were partners of the venerable Hamilton law firm and established the Martin Foundation in 1968 to support charitable causes.  Rosalind was a director of the foundation for more than 30 years, along with Argue’s son-in-law, the late Peter Richardson, and Martin & Martin law partner (now retired) Mary Lou Dingle.

“My father and uncle often favoured organizations that were just starting out, “ Rosalind says “and we concentrated on this area because of our roots in Hamilton. They felt an obligation to give back to the community in many ways.” Over the years, the Martin Foundation has supported hundreds of local organizations in the social services and the arts.

Hamilton Community Foundation was a natural choice as the Martin Foundation considered succession planning. Argue Martin was a founder and first president of HCF and Hubert was also a strong supporter.

“Dad would have loved this arrangement,” Rosalind says of the move to HCF in 2012. “He was a very forward-thinking man.”

Rosalind now sits on the advisory committee for the fund at Hamilton Community Foundation and has input into the grantmaking decisions. But the administrative work is handled by HCF. “This is a perfect solution for the future,” she says. “We used to spend hours poring over requests. Now, Hamilton Community Foundation handles all the applications and paperwork, but we continue to have input into how the money is spent. I’m thrilled.”

Excerpt from 2012-2013 Annual Report