Giving the Gift of Belonging: The Izzy Martin Scholarship Fund
The Martin Family: Christine, David, Madeleine, Luke, and Faith - with sculptor Angela Mia - at the dedication of Izzy's memorial statue.
September 22, 2025
For the Martin family, ESD has always been more than a school; it's a place that has profoundly impacted their lives. Each of their children has grown through the school’s academics, values, and direction, building a strong foundation for their futures. But for their daughter, Izzy, ESD was even more meaningful.
"The love and support she received at ESD provided her the chance to simply be a middle schooler, surrounded by friends and a caring community," Christine and David Martin shared. Izzy valiantly battled, but ultimately lost her life, to osteosarcoma in 2022 when she was a 7th grader. "ESD was a place where Izzy was embraced at a time when life could have felt overwhelming," the couple gratefully acknowledged.
Inspired by this deep gratitude, Christine and David recently established The Izzy Martin Scholarship Fund. This gift is a testament to their desire to ensure that other students, regardless of their circumstances, have the same opportunity to experience the transformative education and sense of belonging that their children have found at ESD.
The permanence of an endowed scholarship was a key factor for Christine and David’s giving. "We wanted to ensure that future students can benefit from the same kind of care, opportunities, and sense of belonging that our children have experienced at ESD," they explained. "It felt like the right way to honor Izzy’s memory while also strengthening the school we love." By establishing an endowment fund that will generate support in perpetuity, their gift is guaranteed to have a lasting impact.
"An endowment is a way of giving that endures," Christine and David said. "It’s not only a way to give back to a school that has had a profound impact on our family, but also a way to help shape the future for generations of ESD Eagles." The Izzy Martin Scholarship is about opening doors for deserving students and keeping Izzy’s name connected to a place where she—and her whole family—feel such love and belonging. It will support students who, like Izzy, might face unique challenges but possess the spirit and determination to thrive when given the opportunity.
For the Martin family, The Izzy Martin Scholarship Fund is not just a reflection of their gratitude but also a symbol of their hope that ESD continues as a place where students are supported, challenged, and celebrated.
Our Time to Soar - a Campaign for The Episcopal School of Dallas is inspired by the strategic plan ESD 2030, which aims to add significantly to the school’s endowment, all as further investment in ESD’s people and programs. To date, the ESD community is responding in incredibly generous ways, and we are well along the path to a successful $50,000,000 campaign. For more information about the campaign, including a complete listing of campaign leadership and the video announcing the campaign, visit www.esdallas.org/our-time-to-soar. Leadership giving opportunities remain, as do opportunities at all levels, to join in support.
