M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $90+ million (2024)
Decision Time: 4-6 months from full application to decision
Grant Range: $50,000 - $55,000,000+ (typical grants; minimum $50,000 request)
Geographic Focus: Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)
Total Grants in 2023: 729 awards totaling $80,086,080
Founded: 1975
Total Investment Since Founding: Over $1.4 billion

Contact Details

Website: https://murdocktrust.org/

Email: info@murdocktrust.org

Phone: 360-694-8415

Address: 655 W Columbia Way, Suite 700, Vancouver, WA 98660-3614

Grants Portal: https://mjmurdockcharitabletrust.submittable.com/submit (via Submittable)

Overview

Founded in 1975 following the death of Tektronix co-founder Melvin Jack Murdock, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust transferred $90 million from his estate to create one of the Pacific Northwest's most significant private foundations. Today, the Trust manages assets exceeding $1 billion and has invested more than $1.4 billion in nonprofit organizations since its inception. The Trust's mission is to build capacity in nonprofits driving innovative and sustainable outcomes across the Pacific Northwest region, encompassing Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

The Trust's vision is "Human flourishing for the common good" where people of all communities thrive in a just society and experience equity of access and equality of opportunity. Based on Jack Murdock's donor intent to "nurture and enrich the educational, cultural, social, and spiritual lives of individuals, families, and communities," the Trust focuses on capacity-building investments that strengthen organizational infrastructure, leadership, and long-term sustainability. In 2024, the Trust approved over $90 million in new grants and processed grant payments exceeding $115 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Strategic Project Grants (Public Application Process)

The Trust offers several types of capacity-building grants for nonprofits:

Capital Grants: Support construction, renovation, and land purchase projects. The Trust prefers to receive capital requests once an organization has raised a portion of needed funds (no specific percentage stated, but demonstrates fundraising capacity).
Equipment and Technology Grants: $50,000+ (only for equipment or technology new to the organization; grantees must be responsible for 50% or more of the purchase cost).
Program and Staff Grants: $50,000+ (funding for new programs or expansion of existing programs, including start-up costs and related staff additions. Typically funded on a declining basis over three years: 100%/67%/33%).

Scientific Research Grants (Universities & Biomedical Institutes)

Grants support the purchase of scientific research instrumentation and commercialization of bench discoveries at select major research universities and biomedical institutes.

Initiative Grants (Invitation Only)

These are ecosystem-level interventions that drive specific capacity or growth within sectors, aligned with Trust priorities. Awarded by invitation only, not through the standard application process.

Priority Areas

The Trust funds projects that align with five main areas:

Artistic & Cultural Expression: Museums, performing arts organizations, cultural institutions
Civic Engagement & Community Services: Organizations addressing community needs and civic participation
Education & Leadership Development: Educational institutions, leadership programs, youth development
Health & Environmental Stewardship: Healthcare organizations, conservation efforts, environmental protection
Scientific Research: Research institutions, universities, biomedical institutes

Key Priorities:

Projects must build organizational capacity (strengthening leadership, management, infrastructure)
Projects must contribute to human flourishing in the Pacific Northwest
Projects must be mission-critical and reflect strategic priorities of the organization's leadership
Organizations must demonstrate diversified funding sources (not over-reliant on single funding streams)
Minimum project budget of $100,000; minimum request amount of $50,000

What They Don't Fund

Projects with budgets below $100,000 or request amounts less than $50,000
Organizations or projects outside the Pacific Northwest region (unless greater than 50% impact to Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington)
Equipment or technology that is not new to the organization
Projects that stray from the organization's core mission
Organizations with underdeveloped boards, unsuitable leadership, or insufficient organizational capacity

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Trust is governed by three trustees:

Jeff Grubb - Trustee since 2010
Jeff Pinneo - Trustee
John W. Castles - Named Trustee on September 15, 1995, to succeed his late father, founding Trustee Jim Castles

Executive Leadership

Romanita Hairston, Chief Executive Officer - Oversees all program activities of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
Pauline Fong, Chief Program & Impact Officer - Oversees grants and programming efforts, leads the Education & Leadership Development area
Mike True, Chief Financial Officer - Certified Public Accountant with nonprofit experience; previously served as CFO for the Historic Trust of Fort Vancouver and President/CEO
Elmer Huh, Chief Investment Officer - Leads the investment team and works with Trustees in managing the Trust's investment portfolio

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust uses a two-stage application process starting with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI):

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Before applying:

Review the Eligibility Guidelines for Grantseekers to confirm your organization meets geographical and tax status requirements
Ensure your project fits within the Trust's funding priorities and limitations
Review the Grants Awarded database and Grantee Stories to see if they have funded similar projects

To submit an LOI:

Access the Grants Portal via Submittable: https://mjmurdockcharitabletrust.submittable.com/submit
New users must register to access the portal for the first time
LOIs are reviewed on a quarterly cycle basis
LOI review typically takes 2-3 weeks

Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application. The application phase takes 4-6 months from full application submission to final grant decision.

Application Schedule (Example):

LOI submission period: October 1 - December 26
LOI decisions communicated: By January 31
Full proposal submission period (for approved LOIs): February 1 - April 1

Note: Due to high application volume, processing times may extend. Recent reports indicate LOI decisions may take into the second quarter.

Decision Timeline

LOI Review: 2-3 weeks (though recently extended due to high volume)
LOI to Decision: Formal decisions typically within 3 months of submission window closing
Full Application to Decision: 4-6 months from full application submission
Total Timeline: Approximately 5-9 months from initial LOI to final decision

Success Rates

2023: 729 awards made, $80,086,080 total giving
2022: 874 awards made, $86.3 million total giving
2021: 690 awards made

The Trust notes that "while merit is evident in nearly every application, we are not able to award every request that we receive." Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, but the competitive nature of the process is clear given the high volume of applications.

Reapplication Policy

For Denied Applications:

Denied applications will not be carried over for future consideration
Under normal circumstances, denied applications are not permitted for resubmission
Declined applicants may submit a new LOI one year after the decision date
The new LOI must be for a different project than the one previously denied

This policy encourages organizations to develop new initiatives rather than resubmit previously declined proposals.

Application Success Factors

According to Dana Miller, Senior Program Director at the Trust, the "10 Most Common Mistakes When Applying for a Grant" provides critical insight into what the Trust values:

What the Trust Looks For:

Strong Alignment with Core Mission: Projects must connect directly to your organization's primary expertise and purpose—avoid initiatives that stray from what you do best.
Developed Board Governance: Your board must fully embrace the mission, demonstrate financial commitment, and be mature enough to guide the organization effectively.
Suitable Leadership: Leaders must be prepared to manage the organization and execute the proposed project effectively.
Aligned Organizational Priorities: Proposed projects must reflect the CEO's and organization's actual priorities, not just worthwhile ideas that might be neglected.
Sustainable Business Model: Organizations need a stable, consistent revenue source to support new initiatives—demonstrate diversified funding sources.
Adequate Financial Reserves: Organizations must have sufficient cash on hand and organizational reserves to sustain operations during project implementation.
Internal Capacity: Organizations need the infrastructure and staff capability to support the planned project before seeking funding.
Strategic Planning and Timing: Projects must be adequately planned with clear sustainability strategies beyond the grant period.
Appropriate Project Scope: Funding requests should match your organization's actual budget, capacity, and revenue base—don't over-reach.
Merit-Based Planning: Base project planning on organizational merit and readiness rather than overconfident assumptions about foundation relationships.

The Trust's Philosophy:

As stated in their guidance: "Preparation is key to a successful grant request. Pay close attention to your organizational development and the fundamental components of your operation that ensure you will function well into the future, and be ready before approaching the Murdock Trust or any foundation for funding."

The Trust emphasizes that organizations should demonstrate:

Diversified funding profiles (a cornerstone of successful, sustainable nonprofits)
Board engagement and financial support (especially if the project includes funding for fundraising staff)
Capacity-building focus (not just program delivery, but strengthening organizational infrastructure)

Recent Grant Examples:

Arts & Culture: Intermountain Opera Association of Bozeman, Seattle Art Museum, Oregon Symphony Association, Pickford Film Center

Education: Imagine Children's Museum (WA), Children's Museum of Idaho, Valley Catholic Middle and High School (OR), Seattle Nativity School

Conservation & Environment: Alaska Pacific University (Dixon Glacier hydropower study), American Forests, Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Northern Great Plains chapter of World Wildlife Fund

Human Services: Brian Grant Foundation (Parkinson's support), Bridge Meadows (foster care support), Peregrine Fund (raptor conservation)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Organizational Readiness Is Essential: Don't apply until your organization has strong governance, adequate reserves, diversified funding, and the internal capacity to execute the project. The Trust prioritizes "being ready" over promising potential.
Capacity Building Is the Focus: Projects must strengthen organizational infrastructure, leadership, or management—not just deliver services. Frame your request around how the project builds long-term capacity.
Minimum Thresholds Matter: Projects must have budgets of at least $100,000 with request amounts of at least $50,000. Review past grants to understand typical funding levels for organizations similar to yours in size and sector.
Match Requirements for Equipment: Equipment and technology grants require the organization to cover 50% or more of costs. Plan your budget accordingly and secure other funding before applying.
Strategic Timing in a Competitive Process: With 4-9 months from LOI to final decision and a one-year waiting period for declined applicants, plan your application timeline carefully. Consider quarterly LOI deadlines when planning project timelines.
Demonstrate Diversified Funding: The Trust specifically looks for organizations with diverse revenue streams. Showing over-reliance on any single funding source (including foundations) is a red flag.
Align with Regional Impact: Your project must demonstrate significant benefit to the Pacific Northwest region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington). If serving broader geographies, show that more than 50% of impact is in this region.

References

Accessed: December 16, 2025