M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Capital Grants

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust provides strategic project grants to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a strong alignment with its funding priorities and regional focus. The Trust, based in Vancouver, Washington, primarily supports entities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, with occasional invitation-only grants beyond this region. Their funding supports projects across five key areas: Artistic and Cultural Expression, Civic Engagement and Community Services, Education and Leadership Development, Health and Environmental Stewardship, and Scientific Research. The Trust emphasizes initiatives that foster human flourishing and sustainable nonprofit capacity building. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribal entities, and selected government entities such as universities and medical centers. Applicants must be independently governed and have at least three years of operational history. Certain government-funded institutions and fiscally sponsored entities are ineligible. For all projects, applicants must demonstrate meaningful board engagement through contributions of time, financial support, and expertise. Organizations are encouraged to maintain diversified funding and are generally not eligible if their operational funding is overly reliant on government sources. The Trust funds three main types of strategic project grants: new staff or program expansion, capital projects, and equipment and technology. Staff or program expansion grants support new initiatives and strategic hires, limited to 2.0 FTE and with certain restrictions on government funding and prior staffing history. Capital grants are intended for significant construction or renovation projects, with strict criteria for eligible costs and a strong emphasis on community support and diversified funding. Equipment and technology grants support the acquisition of items with at least a ten-year lifespan, and the organization must cover at least half of the cost. Applicants must initially submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which, if approved, is followed by a full proposal submission. As of 2025, applications require 8-10 months from LOI approval to final decision, due to increased volume. In 2026, the Trust will transition to a three-period annual LOI cycle. For 2025, LOIs submitted by May 30 will receive decisions by July 31, with full proposals due between August 1 and October 1, and decisions in April 2026. The next LOI period will run from October 1 to December 26, with decisions by January 31, 2026, and final decisions in August 2026. Applicants must ensure alignment with detailed eligibility and project criteria provided by the Trust. The Trust does not fund standard operating costs, urgent needs, or projects primarily financed by commercial gaming revenues. Grant sizes typically start at $50,000 with project budgets over $100,000. Returning grantees may reapply three years after their last award date, while declined applicants may reapply for a different project one year post-decision. Contact for grant inquiries is available via email at Grants@murdocktrust.org or by phone at (360) 694-8415. The Trust encourages potential applicants to thoroughly review all guidelines and timelines and to contact the Trust directly with outstanding questions.