What does the Murdock Trust do? #
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a private foundation that provides grants to nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. We focus our giving on nonprofits that serve the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) in five primary areas: Artistic & Cultural Expression, Civic Engagement & Community Services, Education & Leadership Development, Health & Environmental Stewardship, and Scientific Research.
How did the Murdock Trust get started? #
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust was established by the last will and testament of the late Melvin Jack Murdock, co-founder of Tektronix, a lifelong resident of the Northwest and dedicated philanthropist. Shortly before his death in 1971, Jack Murdock created a will designating three Trustees to establish a charitable trust in his name. The Trust was officially founded in 1975 with $91 million, which has since grown, through long-term stewardship and investment, to fund more than $1.5 billion in grants to nonprofits. Learn more about the Trust’s history here.
How much has the Murdock Trust awarded to date? #
Since it was founded in 1975, the Murdock Trust has awarded more than $1.5 billion in cumulative grant awards and programs to date to more than 3,000 organizations, typically awarding between $80 million and $100 million annually in recent years. Explore a selection of past grants on our Grants Awarded page and in our reports.
How does the Murdock Trust decide which grants to award? #
Grants move through a defined sequence of steps, including an eligibility check, a Letter of Inquiry, and a full application, depending on the grant type. Throughout the process, our grants team works with applicants to understand how a proposed project will build organizational capacity and meet community needs, then grant proposals are reviewed by our Trustees for final decision. Each grant is evaluated on its own merits against criteria such as alignment with current funding priorities, project feasibility, financial health, and available resources. Learn more about our eligibility guidelines and application process here.
How long does the Murdock Trust grant application process take? #
Timelines vary by grant type and funding cycle, but as of 2026, our average time from application to final decision is about six months.
How soon can an applicant reapply to the Murdock Trust after a declined LOI or application? #
LOI declination and application declination have different waiting periods. Please review Project Eligibility on our Eligibility Guidelines for full details.
Does the Murdock Trust provide emergency funding? #
The Murdock Trust is a capacity-building funder, meaning we primarily award grants for carefully planned projects that strengthen a nonprofit’s infrastructure, leadership, and operational efficiency. In rare, invitation-only circumstances, the Trust has occasionally provided emergency funding for critical events impacting the Pacific Northwest, such as the 2020 Oregon wildfires or COVID-19.
Does a grant from the Murdock Trust mean we endorse everything an organization does? #
A grant from the Murdock Trust is support for a specific, defined project, not a blanket endorsement of every program or position an organization holds. The reverse is also true: choosing not to fund a project isn’t a statement against that organization’s work.
Is the Murdock Trust faith-based? #
The Murdock Trust supports both secular and faith-based organizations. While we are not faith-based, meaning staff and partners do not need to hold to any one particular faith, one of our stated values is "Faith-Informed": we fund organizations, secular and faith-based alike, that employ dignity and life-affirming principles aligned with the common good and reflected in Judeo-Christian tenets or principles. This reflects the example of our founder, Jack Murdock, who personally supported both secular and faith-based organizations that aligned with his values. Learn more about our values here.
I have concerns with a Murdock Trust grant. How can I share them? #
Our grantees reflect the diversity of the Pacific Northwest: rural, urban, and suburban communities, different races, different faiths, and different political beliefs. We see that diversity as a strength. Our goal is to fund projects that advance human flourishing for all, and we recognize that people hold different views on how best to get there. If you have concerns about a specific grant, you're welcome to share them at info@murdocktrust.org. General questions about the grants process should be directed to grants@murdocktrust.org.