Through a bequest of James J. Marshall, Jr, ’26 in memory of his parents, James J. Marshall and Ellen O'Connor Marshall, the College has established a fund to encourage the creative and intellectual involvement of students and faculty with the Worcester Community in order to enhance the quality of life in Worcester and build closer ties between the College and the community. Financial support is available on a competitive basis for service, research, and community-based learning projects that are of academic benefit to Holy Cross students and/or faculty and of benefit to the people of Worcester. Awards are typically in the range of $200-$500. Application deadlines for the 2024-2025 academic year are October 2nd, December 4th, February 26th, and April 9th.
Feel free to utilize this guide (DOC) to guide you in your application process. General questions about the fund and the selection process should be directed to Kya Roumimper Ascani. Questions pertaining to purchasing/reimbursement should be directed to Diane Girard. Kathryn Hauver is available for coaching and guidance as applications are being completed.
Questions about the application process and how a CBL student has utilized the funds to support her CBL site? Watch the J.D. Power Center's instagram story about how Jocelyn Buggy '22 used her Marshall funds to create welcoming baskets for the Worcester Alliance for Refugee Ministry. Read an interview with Marshall Grant recipient, Caitlin Pollard '17 and her experience applying for the Marshall Grant to support the expansion of the food pantry at AIDS Project Worcester.
**Special note: if you are thinking about developing a program that involves bringing minors (children under the age of 18) to campus, the Safety of Children in College Programs policy and procedures must be followed. Mattie is available to discuss and review this with Marshall Grant applicants as well.
2024-2025 Marshall Fund Recipients
- Prof. Sarah Luria (Environmental Studies and English) was awarded funds to support the creation and print of a Zine for the Green Island Residents Group, Inc. Prof. Luria's '23-'24 Montserrat students created the Zine as part of their CBL project.
- Michelle Rife ’27 was awarded funds to support the facilitation of a field trip to Holy Cross for the elementary school students at Quinsigamond Elementary School. Michelle is working at Quinsigamond Elementary School this year and is basing the field trip on a field trip she planned for Clark Street Community School students through her CBL last year.
- Allen Santos '27 was awarded funds to support a tutoring and high school readiness program at South High Community School. Allen is working with several peers to provide this programming and his work will inform the CBL project in Prof. Carvalho's Spring '25 course, "Brazilian Immigration and Experience in the U.S. and Massachusetts."
- Prof. Aaron Seider (Classics) was awarded funds to to support four field trips for Worcester East Middle School students to the Worcester Art Museum. Prof. Seider and Prof. Knott's "Opening Classics" CBL students have been working with the Worcester Art Museum and their docents to create a special WAM tour related to ancient mythology. The "Opening Classics" students designed elements of the tour and accompanied the Worcester East students when they visited the museum.
Read about additional past recipients in the Marshall Memorial Fund Archive.