M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a US private foundation based in Vancouver, WA.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust describes its work as building capacity in nonprofits driving innovative and sustainable outcomes across the Pacific Northwest. Its five focus areas are Artistic & Cultural Expression, Civic Engagement & Community Services, Education & Leadership Development, Health & Environmental Stewardship, and Scientific Research. Strategic Project Grants support staff and programme expansion, capital projects, and equipment and technology. Eligible applicants include public charities, federally recognised tribal entities, qualifying government entities, and faith communities with projects primarily serving people beyond their congregants. The Trust prioritises organisations based in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, or projects with more than half their impact in the region; faith-based organisations in British Columbia are eligible. It seeks projects that reflect organisational leadership priorities and align with its focus areas.

Themes

• Artistic & Cultural Expression
• Civic Engagement & Community Services
• Education & Leadership Development
• Health & Environmental Stewardship
• Scientific Research

Geographic Focus

Alaska; Idaho; Montana; Oregon; Washington; British Columbia.

What They Don't Fund

• Fiscally sponsored organizations
• Governmental entities that receive a substantial amount of government funding, such as public libraries, public K-12 school districts, public parks and recreation, fire departments, fire districts, and police stations
• Section 501(c)(4) organizations (advocacy or social welfare organizations)
• Section 501(c)(6) organizations (business leagues, chambers, and trade associations)
• Section 509(a)(3) supporting organizations, regardless of type
• Private foundations (non-operating)
• Non-U.S. entities
• Individuals
• Senior centers, hospice organizations, and other services for the aging
• For-profit businesses, corporations, or LLCs
• Entities with fewer than three complete years of operating and financial history
• Entities that, in policy or practice, unlawfully discriminate based on race, ethnic origin, sex, creed, or religion
• Entities that receive a majority of funding and support from commercial gambling revenue (lottery, casino, etc.)
• Capital projects with government sources contributing 70 percent or more of the required funding
• Sustained staff positions receiving more than 50 percent of government funding

Applicants submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI); approved LOIs lead to an invitation to complete the full application in the grants portal and upload the required documents.

Deadlines: Letters of Inquiry are submitted during scheduled submission periods.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 40% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 2,400 grants to organisations were $70,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• Projects should reflect the strategic priorities of the organisation's leadership and align with the Trust's focus areas.
• For capital projects, the Trust prefers to receive requests after the organisation has raised a portion of the required funds.
• Equipment and technology grant recipients are responsible for 50% or greater of the purchase cost.
• A program officer schedules a site visit to discuss project details, leadership, the board, execution and sustainability plans, and criteria for success.