WACF Youth Council Senior Spotlight: Whitney Martinsen

For Whitney Martinsen, serving on the Watertown Area Community Foundation’s Youth Council was an opportunity to better understand her community and the role philanthropy plays in strengthening it.

Throughout her time on the Youth Council, Whitney learned about the wide range of nonprofit organizations serving Watertown and the many needs they address every day. From reviewing grant requests to discussing community priorities, she gained firsthand experience in thoughtful decision-making and the responsibility that comes with stewarding charitable dollars.

One of the most meaningful aspects of her experience was seeing how Youth Council grants translated into real impact. Whitney appreciated knowing that youth voices were not only welcomed but valued, and that her voice could play an active role in shaping the future of her community.

Whitney has grown personally during her time serving on the Youth Council. She shares that she now has an even deeper sense of civic responsibility. She also gained more confidence in expressing her perspective and learned the importance of listening to others when working toward shared goals.

As she looks ahead, Whitney plans to study Political Science in college and continue exploring opportunities for service and leadership. She has been accepted to Georgetown University. Whitney encourages future students to get involved. Her advice is simple and heartfelt: “Do it.” If you care about your community and want to make a difference, Youth Council is a meaningful place to start.

Whitney’s experience is one of many that reflect the lasting impact of the Youth Council. For 24 years, young leaders have helped guide grantmaking, strengthen local nonprofits, and shape the future of philanthropy in the Watertown area.