The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a private foundation supporting nonprofit organizations across the Pacific Northwest through grants, programming, and initiatives focused on capacity building and regional impact.
To strengthen the capacity of nonprofits that advance innovative and sustainable results throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust was established in 1975 through the will of Melvin Jack Murdock, co-founder of Tektronix. Before his death in 1971, he directed that a charitable trust be created to serve the Pacific Northwest. The Trust began with assets of $91 million and has since awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants and programs to over 3,000 organizations. Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, it serves Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The Trust’s work reflects Jack Murdock’s commitment to education, culture, science, and community life in the region.
The Trust provides capacity-building support through grantmaking, initiatives, programming, and convenings. Funding prioritizes nonprofit organizations serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, with limited invited grants beyond the region. Eligible applicants include U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities, certain tribal entities, and select government entities such as universities and medical centers. The Trust funds Strategic Project Grants in three categories: New Staff or Program Expansion, Capital Projects, and Equipment and Technology. Grants generally support long-term capacity growth rather than ongoing operations, debt retirement, or short-term projects.
Since 1975, the Trust has awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants and programs to over 3,000 organizations. It regularly funds nonprofits across five states in the Pacific Northwest and reports annual grantmaking exceeding $89 million in 2024. The Trust supports capacity-building projects including new staff, capital improvements, and equipment investments, and convenes nonprofit leaders through conferences and cohort-based programming.
The Trust works with nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, select government institutions, and community leaders across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. It emphasizes relational engagement through site visits, convenings, and interactive grantmaking processes. Limited grants beyond the region are made by invitation only.
The Trust began with an initial $91 million endowment and has grown to $1.966 billion. It operates as a private foundation and prioritizes diversified funding models among grantees. Strategic Project Grants include declining three-year support for new staff or program expansion (100/67/33 percent structure). Capital grants support construction, renovation, and property acquisition, while equipment and technology grants require partial grantee cost-sharing. The Trust requires significant board engagement from applicants and emphasizes long-term capacity building over short-term or operational support.