Every organization that comes to the Murdock Trust arrives with something important: valuable work in their community and a genuine desire to present it well. Whether you're applying to the Murdock Trust for the first time or returning, here are five tips that come from years of walking alongside organizations at every stage of the process. We hope they help you put together a proposal that reflects your work honestly and well.
1. Identify which focus area you fall into
Before you submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), it's worth taking time to understand where your organization fits within our focus areas. Focus areas are simply the ways the Murdock Trust groups together various sectors and types of work. Use the guidance on our Eligibility Guidelines page to determine where your organization falls, so that you can present your project within the listed priorities for that focus area. This isn’t just the first step in the process — it’s important for understanding eligibility. Depending on where your organization is classified in our system, it will be evaluated against the listed guidelines and priorities for that area. If you still can’t determine where your organization falls after reviewing our eligibility, reach out to grants@murdocktrust.org.
2. Read the Eligibility Guidelines thoroughly
The next step is to read every eligibility guideline that applies to you. That includes all Organizational and Project Eligibility, as well as the specific guidelines for your focus area. We understand that these can be a lot to read, and we’re here to help if you have questions. But due to incredible grant demand, no LOI will proceed in our process that does not align with our listed guidelines and priorities, so catching misalignment early in the process saves time for everyone.
Tip: Be sure to check these guidelines frequently as you’re planning, as we do update them!
3. Lead with your most important work
As you're preparing your LOI, think carefully about which project to propose. We know nonprofits are often juggling multiple priorities and initiatives. Focus on the project that is most central to your mission and most fully supported by your executive director and board. The Murdock Trust is interested in funding work that is capacity-building for mission-focused projects and infrastructure investment — not a side project or a lower-priority initiative.
4. Carefully assess your organization’s readiness
Prior to submitting your LOI, honestly assess whether your organization has the capacity to sustain the proposed project. Ask yourself: Do we have the systems, staffing, and governance to support this expansion? Have we piloted this work or is it aspirational? Can we sustain increased operating costs beyond the grant period? Organizations with demonstrated track records of managing growth successfully and having clear sustainability plans are most competitive.
5. Make the most of your site visit
If your LOI is approved and you are invited to submit a full proposal, you will be invited to schedule an onsite or virtual visit with your assigned program officer. This is a genuine conversation about your proposed project. We find these visits most valuable when key staff and board members are present and have a shared understanding of the proposed project and the overall health of the organization, including finances, programming, and leadership. After the visit, you may be asked for follow-up documentation. Timely and accurate responses make a real difference in how smoothly the review process goes.
While there is no perfect formula for a successful grant application, we hope these tips help you find a strong path forward for your proposal. Our team is here to support along the way, and we look forward to learning about your work.