The Marshall Memorial Fund, established through the generosity of James J. Marshall and Ellen O’Connor Marshall, encourages the creative and intellectual involvement of Holy Cross students and faculty with the Worcester community. The fund aims to enhance the quality of life in Worcester while strengthening connections between the College and the surrounding community. It is part of the Donelan Office of Community-Based Learning, whose mission is to engage faculty, staff, students, and community partners in integrating theory and practice by connecting academic learning with civic engagement.
Students, faculty, and staff are eligible to apply for Marshall Memorial Fund grants. Applicants are encouraged to purchase supplies locally and work with local vendors whenever possible to support the Worcester community. Applications are due on the first day of each funding month, and the fall funding cycle awards grants of up to $1,000. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for planning, purchasing, and, if necessary, revising and resubmitting their applications before project implementation. Student applicants must submit an application detailing their proposed project, its connection to their academic experience, project timeline, purchasing and delivery plans, and a letter of support.
The committee prioritizes projects that provide long-term benefits to the Worcester community rather than supporting one-time initiatives. Past Marshall Memorial Fund projects have included funding supplies for the Worcester Public Schools Transitions Gala, supporting a college visit day for students participating in the Assumption Center’s Girls with Dreams program, purchasing a desktop computer for the after-school program at the Sisters of St. Anne’s Marie Anne Center, and providing utility carts, books, hand lotion, and knitting supplies for the Caring Carts initiative at UMass Medical Center.
Last winter, I was the recipient of a Marshall Memorial Fund grant for Abby’s House, the largest provider of affordable housing and support services in Worcester for women experiencing homelessness or low income, with or without children. Through the grant, I received funding to purchase grocery gift cards for Abby’s House residents during a period when many were experiencing the loss of SNAP benefits. The gift cards provided residents with access to nutritious food, toiletries, and feminine hygiene products. By helping address these immediate needs, the project supported residents’ daily health and well-being while also preserving their dignity.
This year, I serve on the Marshall Memorial Fund and Ignite Fund selection committees, working with three to four members of the J.D. Power Center staff to review applications and select awardees. I attend multiple selection committee meetings each semester, thoroughly review all Marshall Grant and Ignite Fund applications, and provide feedback during selection meetings. I also help ensure that grant recipients complete an End-of-Grant Report within 30 days of completing their projects. These reports document how funds were used, summarize project outcomes, and help the committee evaluate the impact of the Marshall Memorial Fund. So far this year, we have approved eight requests for funding. Therefore, I encourage all eligible Holy Cross students, faculty, and staff to consider applying for a Marshall Memorial Fund grant and using this opportunity to turn their ideas into meaningful projects that support the Worcester community.