Scott and Holly Martin

Scott and Holly Martin may live in the Twin Cities, but this couple’s roots are firmly rural. Holly was raised on a farm in northern Wisconsin and Scott grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota.

Early in his career, Scott initiated and managed corporate giving for his employer-at-the-time, United Power Association (now Great River Energy), which serves a large area of rural Minnesota. Among the applicants that came knocking at UPA’s door was the Northland Foundation’s founding president, Tom Renier. The resulting multi-year commitment not only supported the launch of the KIDS PLUS Program, but it also sparked a lasting connection between the Martins and the Northland Foundation.

In 1993, Scott was elected to the Northland Foundation’s Board, and in 1999 he stepped in to lead the Northland Institute, the economic development of the Foundation. Scott headed the Institute for 15 years until retiring last May.

The friendship continues. Scott is an active member of the Northland Foundation’s Emeritus Trustee Group, and he and Holly have made several major gifts. The Martins are also Legacy Friends of the Northland having made the commitment to include the Foundation in their will.

“Holly and I believe in the Northland Foundation’s on-the-ground work in rural communities,” said Scott, “and we would be hard pressed to think of a better legacy to leave for northeastern Minnesota.”