Donations to Fund for Cabot Martin Award at Memorial University doubles from $100,000 to $200,000

Donations to “Cabot Martin Award for Research in Regional Policy and Development” at Memorial University have doubled the amount originally targeted. In place of the original goal of $100,000, the Fund is now in receipt of an amount of just over $200,000.

The fundraising effort was begun by a group called the “Friends of Cabot Martin” Committee.

Cabot Martin was a tireless public policy advocate for the province for more than 50 years. He passed away suddenly in September 2022.

Committee Chair, Des Sullivan, noted the enthusiasm and hard work of the “Friends of Cabot Martin” Committee and stated that, “like each of them, every donor deserves immense thanks and appreciation. The fundraising success is a testament to the high esteem in which Cabot Martin was held throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The Fund was established to recognize Martin’s enormous legacy having made major contributions as a former policy advisor to government and as a business leader. His influence on public policy left a significant mark on NL’s natural resource sector especially fisheries, aquaculture, and oil and gas sectors. The Award will encourage the continuation of his work.

The Fund will provide a research grant for a minimum of 10 years. After accounting for administration costs, $18,000 will be available annually to an eligible student, faculty, or staff member of Memorial. Managed by the Memorial’s Harris Center, the grant will be directed toward research in both governance and public policy issues. The annual recipient is required to provide a public lecture giving notice to the broader NL community of the research that the Award supported.

Committee Co-Chair, David Vardy, stated that “the public lecture is an important feature of the Award’s overall purpose. Cabot, as a thinker and a leader in the formulation of public policy, understood that community participation in this arena is vital. I am pleased that Memorial embraced this idea.”

Committee Chair, Des Sullivan, noted that the Award Fund will remain open for donations. Says Sullivan, “Cabot Martin’s public policy contribution to this province, includes his steadfast willingness to speak truth to power. That is something we should all admire and encourage. Martin’s public statements often heralded warnings that there are consequences for our small society when government policy goes awry.”

David Vardy added that “nothing would please the Committee more than that the life of the Award Fund was extended beyond 10 years.”

In addition to Sullivan and Vardy, members of the “Friends of Cabot Martin” Committee include Diana Baird, Jonathan Moir, Carol Osmond, Rob Strong, Phonse Fagan, Con O’Brien, Douglas Moores, and Ray Andrews.

Memorial University has established a Website giving additional details of Cabot’s life and contribution which is found at https://www.mun.ca/give/tribute/cabot-martin/

Information about the Cabot Martin Award, eligibility, and the application process is found here.

Donations to the “Cabot Martin Research Award” may be made on the Web Site or by mailing a cheque or money order payable to:

Memorial University Office of Development
P.O. Box 4200
St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7