By Pauline Fong, Chief Program & Impact Officer
In early June 2025, we shared updates and improvements to the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and application submission process and timing. The most notable change is the implementation of structured submission periods rather than continuous rolling applications, effective immediately. There will be one final LOI submission period in 2025, and starting in 2026, three distinct LOI submission periods each year. This new structure will help the Trust provide more predictable, shorter processing timelines and better service to all applicants. Please see the Strategic Grant Application Process page for full details, and this blog post for context.
We wanted to follow up with some responses to common questions received about these updates. Either watch our Q&A conversation or read the full questions and responses below.
Q. What prompted the decision to refine and update the Murdock Trust’s grant application process timing?
A: These changes were motivated by our desire to better serve applicants with transparency and clarity, and a faster processing timeline, while maintaining open access to as many new and returning applicants as possible. The intention is to optimize resource allocation for both applicants and the Trust by identifying potential misalignments before nonprofits invest considerable time in detailed proposal development, particularly given that the demand for grants and inquiries far exceeds the available funding resources. The aim of the revised approach with published timelines is to assist nonprofits in better planning project development, preparing submissions, and evaluating the potential for support, especially in an uncertain environment.
- Transparent Timing: A significant increase in inquiries and grant applications has stretched processing times beyond what is helpful for nonprofits. Rather than simply letting wait times continue to grow, this updated structured approach allows both inquiries and applications to be managed more efficiently while providing transparent expectations, including shorter and clearer timeline projections. Target timelines: no more than 4 months to receive a response on an LOI; 4-7 months from the submission of a full application to a grant decision.
- Open Access: This new process helps the Trust remain open to any organization eligible to submit an LOI while balancing limited resources against the rapid growth in grant demand experienced in recent years.
Q: I am a nonprofit and I was just getting ready to submit an LOI, but I see now that the submission window has closed until October 2025. Does that mean the whole process for my application is going to be delayed by several months?
A: Actually, no. Due to high demand, any LOIs that would have been submitted from June 2025 through December 2025 would have been reviewed at the same grants meeting in August 2026. These recent updates do not change when your grant would have been reviewed; they provide transparency about the timing and ultimately position us to be able to serve future applicants more quickly.
Q: What advice do you have for organizations that have urgent funding needs that don't align well with these timelines?
A: We recognize that nonprofit work often involves urgent needs, and encourage organizations to develop diverse funding strategies that do not rely solely on any single funder. Consider reaching out to community foundations, corporate giving programs, individual donors, or other funding sources that might operate on different timelines. You might also explore whether your project could be phased, allowing you to begin with other funding sources while a Murdock Trust grant supports later phases. We want to be realistic partners in your planning process. Different funders play different roles in the philanthropic ecosystem. As a capacity-building funder, the Murdock Trust is primarily focused on funding projects that are part of a long-term strategic investment by the nonprofit in their overall growth.
Q: If I am a nonprofit, how should I think about timing my application if I'm planning a multi-year project?
A: Multi-year projects actually work well with our new timeline structure because they provide flexibility in start dates. Consider which phase or year of your project would benefit most from Murdock Trust funding, and how project completion dates might need to be lined up with a grant decision date and align your LOI timing accordingly.
Q: What if my project circumstances change?
A: If your project circumstances change during the LOI or application submission process, please withdraw the LOI or application and wait until the project is ready to submit again. Please remember that due to high demand, applications for the same project can only be submitted one time for Trustee decision. If your application is already under Trustee review, talk with your assigned program officer and they will walk you through the best next steps for your unique situation.
Q: Are there any changes to what you're looking for in LOIs or full applications, or just the timing?
A: We are still looking for the same high-quality, impactful projects that align with the Trust’s mission and guidelines and are a strategic, capacity-building priority for the nonprofit submitting the request. This most recent update focuses on the submission timing and process. With the increase in number of inquiries, the Trust receives more eligible requests than there is capacity to fund; therefore, the need to prioritize is based on many factors such as community needs, mission alignment, project feasibility, and available resources. While we would love to fund every eligible request, not all eligible or strong LOIs will be able to receive an invitation to full proposal or be guaranteed funding.
Q: Do these timing updates affect nonprofits that have already submitted full applications?
A: No. Organizations that have already submitted full applications will continue through the previous review process and should expect grant decisions according to the timeline that was in place when you submitted. These timing changes apply to new LOI and application submissions moving forward.
Q: What else is it important for potential applicants to know?
A: Due to the increased demand for funding, it is more important than ever to demonstrate clear and strong community impact in your LOI and full application. Any collaborations and partnerships and/or innovations relevant to your capacity-building request should also be highlighted.
The most important thing to remember is that our commitment to supporting impactful work in the Pacific Northwest hasn't changed – only our process has evolved to serve everyone better. We encourage organizations to use the Trust website and resources to ensure their projects align well with eligibility guidelines before applying.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of continuous improvement. We are committed to stewarding our resources thoughtfully while supporting as many impactful initiatives as possible.