Back in 1930, Louise and Thomas Marshall created the Marshall Foundation to donate funds to the University of Arizona for scholarships. Shortly thereafter, the foundation began branching out to respond to other community needs while still sticking to its original purpose of supporting young people seeking an education.
Here are a few things to know about the Marshall Foundation and how it seeks to enhance the lives of people in the Tucson area of Arizona.
Education is a primary interest
Although the Marshall Foundation started off as a funder of higher education, it now funds education at nearly all levels. Current community giving encompasses everything from early childhood education through undergraduate education, as well as supportive wraparound social services for populations in need. The University of Arizona is also a big priority for the Marshall Foundation. The university continues to receive Marshall money for programs, projects and scholarships at the post-secondary level.
Tucson and Pima County are the sole focus
To get Marshall Foundation funding, one prerequisite is that the grantseeker must serve the city of Tucson or elsewhere in Pima County, Arizona. In fact, the foundation does not even accept requests for projects outside the county. Other requirements include being an established 501(c)(3) and using the foundation’s online system to submit a formal application.
An annual grant process
The Marshall Foundation’s grant process begins with an initial letter of inquiry form for organizations seeking a grant of $25,000 or more. Groups that need less than that amount for a program or project can simply email the foundation to inquire about the process.
In general, the Marshall Foundation considers grant requests at the beginning of each year. The letter of inquiry period is typically open between late January and mid-February, with the foundation notifying applicants of funding decisions by the end of April.
Out-of-cycle opportunities
The Marshall Foundation occasionally provides funding outside of its regular grant cycle for needs of less than $25,000. Interested organizations simply need to email the foundation to inquire about how to apply for out-of-cycle funding.
If you’d like to learn more about this funder and its Arizona giving, check out IP’s full profile of the Marshall Foundation in our Southwest Funding Guide.