Celia Martin loves raising money for a good cause. One could say she was born to it. After getting a degree in psychology from Virginia Tech, the Midlothian native copped her first fundraising job for the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation and never looked back.
She went on to help fill coffers for The University of Richmond, the Commonwealth Institute and The United Way. In 2018, she took the executive director position at Connor’s Heroes. “We support families with a child that’s going through a cancer diagnosis,” she says. “And that’s emotional support, financial support. We also support research.”
She initially volunteered at Connor’s and sat on the board of the organization’s annual Heroes Art Ball, its chief fundraising event in May. “At the ball, we pair our childhood cancer patients with local artists here in the Richmond area,” she explains. “Then they get up on stage with their beautiful works of art and we have a live auction. The kids not only get to feel like the VIPs they are, but the donors also get to support the families and support the organization.”
Under her leadership, Connor’s, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, enjoyed its first $1 million fundraising year in 2023, and started an initiative to launch Central Virginia’s first pediatric brain tumor biobank. The nonprofit also helped to staff the first ever inpatient Child Life Specialist dedicated to pediatric oncology patients, and increased direct aid to families who need help for groceries, gas or travel expenses for critical out-of-state treatments.
“Celia leads with empathy and heart,” says Cecilia Hull, development coordinator at Connor’s Heroes. “She encourages staff to build meaningful relationships by learning what keeps parents up at night, what brings joy to a child in treatment, and how to support siblings too often overlooked. Whether it’s doughnuts brought to the clinic, a cold brew for an exhausted parent, or a volunteer decorating a child’s hospital room, Celia makes sure the support Connor’s Heroes gives is personal and practical.”
Martin still lives in Midlothian, with her husband Dan and son Hal. She says that philanthropy and good works were instilled in her by her educator parents, Bruce and Crystal. “I believe in giving back in any way I can. Fundraising might seem scary to folks, but for me, if I am passionate about something, it’s an easy sell.”
