As we announced in recent updates, the Murdock Trust is undergoing a sectoral redesign. While we will continue to refine this work through seeking feedback from diverse interest-holders and experts, we are pleased that after months of constituent input and strategic planning, we can share the initial vision and strategy for our five updated sectors. This redesign and the resulting sectoral model do not change the types of organizations we support; they simply recategorize and focus our efforts so that each grant can be better understood as part of the ecosystem in which its ripple effects will be most felt.
This five-part Sector Strategy Blog Series is a chance for each sector’s lead to introduce their vision. See the other blogs in the series here: Artistic & Cultural Expression; Civic Engagement & Community Services; Health & Environmental Stewardship; and Scientific Research.
Written by Kimberly Thornbury, Vice President, Education & Leadership Development
UPDATED JANUARY 2024. After several months of living into our new model and leaning into continuous improvement, we have made some shifts in how we organize our areas of work. This blog reflects our updated areas.
Imagine it with us: a Pacific Northwest where leaders and organizations are healthy and deeply connected, nonprofits are resourced to tackle complex challenges, and education solutions are innovative and accessible to all. This is the vision that the Education & Leadership Development (ELD) area of the Trust’s work aims to catalyze through strategic grants and programs.
Innovative Educational Pathways #
The Murdock Trust invests in our future leaders. We support capacity-building projects that expand learning and development opportunities and career pathways for learners. With a funding priority for projects that promote entrepreneurship, support STEAM learning, and create stronger pathways for groups who are overrepresented in the number of learners who stop out or drop out, we value education solutions that are innovative and accessible to all. We long to see a region where every individual has an opportunity to do their life’s best work, and is equipped and supported every step of the way.
Connected & Equipped Leaders #
Our benefactor, Jack Murdock, was a people-first leader for his employees at Tektronix, so we are a people-focused funder. Fifty years of partnering with nonprofits has shown us that investing in the development of leaders can yield disproportionate impact across an organization, which enables the entire team to better support their community. When leaders can connect around shared experiences, build alignment with their board, and strengthen decision-making skills, nonprofits are more equipped to propel mission-driven impact in focused and collaborative ways.
In the nonprofit sector, we know that meaningful progress rarely happens in isolation. A challenge one leader faces today might become your challenge tomorrow, and an innovative solution in a neighboring organization could be the answer you’ve been seeking. By staying rooted in relationships, engaged in dialogue, and committed to solutions that benefit all, we cultivate a nonprofit community that grows stronger together. For decades, the Murdock Trust has had a front-row seat to the remarkable collaboration of this sector, and we remain committed to fostering this vision for the future.
To this end, we offer a variety of programs designed to foster community, build leadership capacity, and equip organizations with practical tools for growth and impact. Our offerings evolve based on the needs and insights of the nonprofit sector, ensuring they remain relevant and effective. By continuously adapting and introducing new initiatives informed by both data and experience, we strive to learn and grow alongside the nonprofits we serve, strengthening the vibrant fabric of the Pacific Northwest. Learn about current opportunities on our Programming page.
Supported Social Sector #
In addition to investing in individual leaders through programming, we partner with organizations that enhance the effectiveness of philanthropy, generosity, and nonprofit capacity. We envision a connected, well-resourced, and equipped social sector that can effectively address the diverse needs of our region, and we are committed to supporting organizations that create significant and lasting impact. By "resourced social sector," we mean nonprofits and support organizations that have access to the tools, funding, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive and tackle complex challenges effectively.
Looking Ahead & Working Together #
In addition to our programming across these three areas, the Nonprofit Leadership & Development sector offers capacity-building grants for nonprofit support associations, leadership organizations, and others that scale the impact of the nonprofit community. At the end of the day, these grants do much of the same work that our programs do: they empower those closest to the work to maximize potential within the nonprofit sector.
Looking Ahead & Working Together #
From students to the most experienced nonprofit leaders, people across the Pacific Northwest are eager to learn, grow, and tackle problems with the tools they’ve acquired. The ELD area of the Trust’s work exists to support this continuous learning and curiosity so that together, we can all work toward solutions for our most complex challenges.
Thank you to each nonprofit that is part of this region’s story. Let’s learn and grow together.
Learn more about the Education & Leadership Development sector here.