Chris and Erin Martoglio with daughters Aurelia and Jasmine.
Chris and Erin Martoglio believe that being committed to community can create lasting change, one stride at a time.
As a lawyer in Bloomington focused on business and estate planning, Erin’s professional path led her to work in charitable gifts advising, where she crossed paths with Brian Yeley. Yeley was the Board Chair at the Community Foundation and nominated her to join the Community Foundation Board in 2021. “The Community Foundation Board is a knowledgeable group of people that passionately care about the community,” Erin reflects.
Chris, an entrepreneur who founded a consulting firm, Blue Burro, also brings a wealth of experience and a passion for giving back to this community. Erin and Chris met through their shared love of running and continue to run together with their twin daughters, Aurelia and Jasmine. Erin was inspired by her grandmother, who continued to run into her late 80s.
In 2023, they chose to devote some of their philanthropy towards this passion and established the Long Run Fund to support cross country programs in local schools. “We wanted our fund to support the team that shows up in jeans because they don’t have uniforms or the kid who doesn’t have the right shoes,” Erin shares. “Running has been such a big part of our lives, and we want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate.”
Aurelia and Jasmine, now juniors in high school, embraced the family passion for running by participating in cross country. Erin and Chris believe cross country is a meaningful sport, saying, “It’s a lifetime sport; it can visit you throughout your life.” The Long Run Fund represents a financial commitment and a legacy of community involvement that they hope will inspire their daughters.
At the same time, Erin and Chris created the Martoglio Family Fund, an unrestricted fund that aims to address various community needs. “We heard the Lilly Endowment was providing matching dollars for unrestricted funds at the Community Foundation, and we thought it was a great opportunity,” Chris explains. “If you are going to be charitable, multiplying the amount for your fund is just incredible.”
Erin and Chris are committed to making a difference in their community, especially during challenging times. “Unrestricted funds at the Community Foundation were used to meet the emergency needs of Monroe County during COVID-19,” Chris notes.
Their trust in the Community Foundation stems from its ability to respond to evolving community needs. “They have a good finger on the pulse of what the community needs,” Erin adds.
As they look ahead, Erin and Chris hope their efforts will encourage others to get involved. “I hope that other people will see that they can create a similar fund,” Erin states.
“Our goal for the Martoglio Family Fund is to invest in the community without a predefined direction,” Chris explains. “We believe in the discipline of the Community Foundation’s allocations. It’s a springboard for lasting impact.”
By working with the Foundation, the Martoglio family is not just contributing funds; they’re building a legacy that will benefit Monroe County for generations to come.