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Marshall Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,758,968 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $11.6 million
  • Decision Time: Approximately 12 weeks (from LOI to award announcement)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000
  • Most Common Grant Size: $25,000 - $30,000
  • Geographic Focus: Tucson and Pima County, Arizona only

Contact Details

Address: 814 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-622-8613
Email: info@marshallfoundation.com
Website: https://marshallfoundation.com
Grant Inquiries: Kay Hoenig, Grant Management Administrator - kay@marshallfoundation.com

Overview

Founded in 1930 by Louise Foucar Marshall and her husband Thomas, the Marshall Foundation holds the distinction of being Arizona's first private foundation. Louise Marshall, who became the University of Arizona's first woman professor in 1900, used her inheritance and business acumen to develop commercial real estate near the university campus. Today, the foundation's grantmaking is funded entirely by proceeds from commercial leases in Main Gate Square, a retail and dining district adjacent to the University of Arizona. Since its inception, the foundation has contributed over $30 million to nearly 1,000 nonprofits in Pima County. The foundation's current mission is to "transform lives by fostering equitable access to education," reflecting Louise Marshall's original vision to help young women attend the University of Arizona and support those less fortunate in the community. The foundation is legally obligated to donate five percent of its fair market value each year to worthy nonprofit organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Marshall Foundation operates one annual grant cycle with four distinct funding categories:

  1. Early Childhood to Graduate Education ($250,000 in 2025)

    • Grants: $25,000 - $100,000
    • Focus: Educational programs from early childhood through graduate school
    • Recent recipients: Casa de los Niños, Make Way for Books, Literacy Connects

  2. Wrap Around Services in Support of Education ($325,000 in 2025)

    • Grants: $25,000 - $100,000
    • Focus: Social services that support educational access for underserved populations
    • Recent recipients: JobPath Inc., Youth On Their Own, ScholarshipsA-Z

  3. University of Arizona Programs ($192,000 in 2025)

    • Grants: $25,000 - $90,000
    • Focus: Specific programs and projects at the University of Arizona
    • Recent recipients: Flandrau Science Center, Poetry Center, Libraries

  4. University of Arizona Scholarships ($435,000 in 2025)

    • Approximately $400,000 annually in scholarship support
    • Graduate scholarships, honors college housing, undergraduate scholarships

Priority Areas

  • Early childhood education programs
  • K-12 educational support services
  • Higher education access and success
  • Programs serving refugees and immigrants
  • Workforce development linked to education
  • Food security programs partnered with schools
  • Educational equity for underserved populations
  • Programs benefiting children, youth, and families

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual grant requests (only 501(c)(3) organizations)
  • Programs or activities outside Tucson and Pima County
  • For-profit organizations
  • Organizations that discriminate in employment or services
  • Requests under $25,000 (though applicants may contact the foundation to discuss)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Bruce Burke - President
Joined the board in 2011. Retired civil trial attorney and University of Arizona alumnus passionate about community service. Burke has commented on the foundation's legacy: "What a gift Louise Marshall gave to Tucson and Pima County" in creating a sustainable charitable foundation.

Gabriela (Gabi) Corrales - Vice President
Joined in July 2015. Director of Philanthropy at Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project and University of Arizona Law School graduate with background in education and immigrant rights advocacy.

Jimena Valdés - Secretary/Treasurer
Joined in January 2020. Senior VP of Member Experience at Vantage West Credit Union and University of Arizona graduate passionate about financial literacy and education.

Sean Stuchen - Board Member
Financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and Certified Financial Planner, active in community nonprofit boards.

Michael Hammond - Board Member
Commercial real estate professional and founder of PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services. Recognized as "Tucson Man of the Year" in 2013.

Fabian Cordova - Board Member
Over 26 years of leadership experience in finance, accounting, and operations. Currently CFO of FreeFall Aerospace.

Maria deGrasse - Student Representative
University of Arizona accounting student from Eller College of Management, involved in university leadership programs.

Staff

Alexis Ryland - Executive Director
Appointed in December with 18 months prior experience as property manager with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR. Brings real estate expertise and is described as "service-oriented, results-focused" with strengths in "transparency and attentiveness."

Kay Hoenig - Grant Management Administrator
Primary contact for grant-related questions.

Tina Olson, RPA, FMA - Principal and Director of Property Management
Long-time employee at Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR since 1994, became shareholder in 2008. Multiple professional awards including Property Manager of the Year (2003-2006).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Marshall Foundation uses a two-step application process through the Submittable online platform:

Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

  • LOI portal opens: First Monday in February (February 2, 2026)
  • LOI deadline: Last Friday in February at 5:00 PM (February 27, 2026)
  • One LOI per organization (unless applying under a fiscal agent)
  • Organizations must be current with all reporting requirements to be eligible

Step 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

  • Selected applicants invited to submit full proposals
  • Full proposal deadline: Mid-April (April 17, 2026)
  • Invitations sent to select organizations after LOI review

Special Note: For requests under $25,000, applicants should contact the foundation by email before submitting an LOI.

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Opens: Early February
  • LOI Deadline: Late February
  • Full Proposal Deadline: Mid-April
  • Awards Announced: Late May (May 23, 2026)
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 12 weeks from LOI submission to final decision

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation awarded 40 grants, and in 2025, they awarded 35 grants totaling $1.2 million. The exact number of applications received is not publicly disclosed, but the foundation uses a selective LOI process to invite only certain applicants to submit full proposals.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. However, organizations must be current with all reporting requirements to be eligible to apply, suggesting that past grantees may reapply. The foundation accepts only one application per organization per grant cycle unless applying under a fiscal agent.

Application Success Factors

Based on recent grant awards and foundation priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Alignment with Louise Marshall's Legacy: The foundation honors its founder's vision of supporting educational access and helping those less fortunate. Programs that connect to this founding mission resonate with the board.

Direct Benefit to Tucson/Pima County: The foundation emphasizes that organizations and programs must "directly benefit Tucson and Pima County." Geographic restriction is strictly enforced.

Educational Focus with Equity Lens: Executive Director Kelly Huber stated that recent grantees "represent the very best of Tucson's dedication to educational equity and community resilience." Applications should articulate how they advance educational equity.

Support for Underserved Populations: Recent awards heavily favor programs serving refugees, immigrants, low-income families, and children experiencing poverty or food insecurity.

Connection to University of Arizona: Approximately half of annual donations support the University of Arizona through programs and scholarships, reflecting the founder's deep connection to the institution.

Examples of Recently Funded Programs:

  • Casa de Los Niños (early childhood education)
  • Literacy Connects (adult and family literacy)
  • Sahuarita Food Bank partnership with schools for food-insecure families
  • JobPath (workforce development)
  • Native American Advancement Foundation's Tohono O'odham Young Learners program
  • Refugee and immigrant education services
  • Arizona Public Media's Baker Center campus
  • Flandrau Science Center educational programs

Strategic Insights:

  • The foundation's application guidelines are intentionally broad, giving applicants flexibility to make their case
  • Analysts note the timeline moves quickly, so preparing materials in advance is advisable
  • The foundation appears to encourage direct contact with staff for questions
  • If not from an education nonprofit, clearly demonstrate how work serves children, youth, and families
  • The foundation values innovation in educational access and programs that address systemic barriers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strict Geographic Focus: Only organizations serving Tucson and Pima County, Arizona are eligible—no exceptions
  • Educational Equity is Central: Frame proposals around advancing equitable access to education and supporting underserved populations
  • Minimum Request is $25,000: The foundation has set a high minimum threshold; smaller requests require pre-approval contact
  • Two-Step Process Requires Strong LOI: Only invited organizations submit full proposals, so the LOI must compellingly demonstrate alignment
  • One Grant Cycle Per Year: Missing the February deadline means waiting a full year to reapply
  • University of Arizona Connection Valued: Programs connected to or benefiting UA students have historically received significant support
  • Timeline Moves Quickly: From LOI opening to awards announcement is just four months—prepare materials early
  • Contact Staff with Questions: The foundation encourages outreach to Kay Hoenig and appears open to pre-application communication
  • Honor the Legacy: Understanding Louise Marshall's story and vision can help frame applications in language that resonates with the board

References

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