Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants

Summary

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

Grant Details

• Funder: M J Murdock Charitable Trust
• Grant Amount: More than US $50,000
• Funding uses: New programs or expansion of existing ones, start-up costs, related staff member additions. Program and staff grants are typically funded on a declining basis over three years (100/67/33%).

Eligibility

• Funding Region: The Trust prioritizes grants to organizations based in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or projects with greater than 50% impact to this region. A small number of grants are made for impact beyond this region, by Trust-initiated invite only.
• Funding Priorities: Eligible projects reflect the strategic priorities of an organization’s leadership and align with the Trust’s priorities and areas of focus: Artistic & Cultural Expression, Civic Engagement & Community Services, Education & Leadership Development, Health & Environmental Stewardship, Scientific Research.
• Eligible Entity Types: A nonprofit organization recognized as a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States; a federally recognized tribal entity; a government entity such as a university or a medical center (only certain governmental entities are eligible).
• Project Eligibility - New Staff or Program Expansion Grants: Supports new programs, the expansion of existing programs, start-up costs, and/or related staff member additions. Structured on a declining basis over three years (100/67/33%). Hired staff or programs initiated after a Trust site visit are eligible but Trust funding is not guaranteed. For organizations located outside the Trust’s region, positions or programs must bring at least 50% project impact to the Northwest. Requests for added staff capacity are limited to no more than 2.0 full-time equivalency (FTE). For comprehensive, focused program expansion requests, the Trust may consider more than 2.0 FTE and a portion of new program costs. Requests must constitute an addition or increase of permanent, strategic positions with a minimum of 0.5 FTE per position. Program and/or staff requests may include new startup technology costs.