M J Murdock Charitable Trust
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Vancouver, Washington. Founded in 1975, it supports nonprofit organizations and community leaders across the Pacific Northwest through grants, initiatives, programming, and convenings intended to build nonprofit capacity and help the region flourish.
M J Murdock Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: M J Murdock Charitable Trust gave $116.6M across 797 grants in 2024 (avg $146K), top state Washington. 39% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $116,638,055
- +45.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 797
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $146,346
- +33.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $87,000
- Total assets
- $1,966,464,844
- +3.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (279 of 713, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to M J Murdock Charitable Trust
- Invitation Only
-
Review the eligibility guidelines and application periods, complete the eligibility assessment in the grants portal, and submit an LOI during an open period. Approved LOIs may lead to an invitation to submit a full application. The filing directs applicants to the Trust’s website for application materials and award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- The next listed Strategic Project LOI period is October 15–November 11, 2026. For approved LOIs, the listed full-application period is January 27–March 1, 2027. The Scientific Research Instrumentation Grant Program lists no submission deadlines and says requests normally take six to nine months to process and decide.
- Deadline
- The next listed Strategic Project LOI period is October 15–November 11, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- June 30, 2027 (Murdock College Research Program for Natural Sciences Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Mailing address: 655 W Columbia Way Suite 700, Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (360) 694-8415
Email: info@murdocktrust.org
Website: https://murdocktrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Commercialization Initiation Grants
M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Amount
Up to $75,000 over two years
Deadline
Deadline not published
Murdock College Research Program for Natural Sciences Grant
M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Amount
Up to US $70,000
Deadline
Expected ~June
Based on past cycles
Partners in Science Grant Program
M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Amount
US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who M J Murdock Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was M J Murdock Charitable Trust ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $10.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,828 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,395 grants of 3,828 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s stated service region is Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its website also says that a project may qualify geographically if more than 50% of its impact is in that region, and that faith-based organizations in British Columbia are eligible. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Washington (34%), Oregon (28%), Montana (10%), Idaho (9%), and Alaska (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 797 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is M J Murdock Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 279 of 713 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $213K; repeat grants $132K. How we count
Medians: $135K first-time, $70K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $70.8M (2020) to $116.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 797 grants totaling $116.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| M J Murdock Charitable Trust Vancouver, WA | Matching Gifts | $1,548,170 |
| Cook Inlet Tribal Council Inc Anchorage, AK | New FAB Lab | $1,000,000 |
| Friends of Seattle Waterfront Seattle, WA | Downtown Shoreline Construction | $1,000,000 |
| Latino Network Portland, OR | Facility Construction | $1,000,000 |
| Northwest University Kirkland, WA | New Health Sciences Programs and Facility Renovation | $1,000,000 |
| Carroll College Helena, MT | Library Renovation | $800,000 |
| The Veritas Forum Inc Cambridge, MA | Faculty Development Pipeline Program | $800,000 |
| Human Resource Development Council of District IX Inc Bozeman, MT | Facility Construction | $750,000 |
| KCTS Television Seattle, WA | Purchase and Renovation of Facility | $750,000 |
| Larche Foundation of Greater Vancouver | New Facility Construction | $750,000 |
Ready to take the next step with M J Murdock Charitable Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,966,464,844 | $179,774,834 | $105,345,479 | $116,638,055 | 797 | $130,392,320 | $172,704,514 | $92,078,670 |
| 2023 | $1,892,899,273 | $94,465,842 | $98,143,455 | $80,086,080 | 729 | $92,277,403 | $79,079,790 | $88,697,420 |
| 2022 | $1,757,097,736 | $199,263,770 | $152,144,578 | $86,257,473 | 874 | $97,621,208 | $195,802,764 | $94,368,392 |
| 2021 | $2,370,866,350 | $269,941,897 | $135,160,281 | $101,560,162 | 690 | $111,252,450 | $250,777,872 | $108,663,537 |
| 2020 | $2,089,031,070 | $110,710,877 | $102,078,428 | $70,759,394 | 738 | — | $130,448,095 | $76,504,130 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, M J Murdock Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $92.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s mission is to build capacity in nonprofits driving innovative and sustainable outcomes across the Pacific Northwest. Its five focus areas are Artistic & Cultural Expression, Civic Engagement & Community Services, Education & Leadership Development, Health & Environmental Stewardship, and Scientific Research.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Cook Inlet Tribal Council, which received $1 million for a new Fab Lab, describes its mission as connecting Alaska Native and American Indian individuals with opportunities through education, youth services, employment and training, and other supports. Latino Network, which received $1 million for facility construction, says it promotes social change through education equity, parent engagement, and civic leadership in the Latino community. Friends of Seattle Waterfront, awarded $1 million for downtown shoreline construction, describes its work as bringing people and resources together to help Waterfront Park thrive as a gathering space.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Trust reported 797 grants totaling $116,638,055. Grant amounts ranged from $4,000 to $1,548,170, with a median grant of $87,000. Among the largest awards were $1 million each to Cook Inlet Tribal Council for a new Fab Lab, Friends of Seattle Waterfront for downtown shoreline construction, Latino Network for facility construction, and Northwest University for new health sciences programs and facility renovation.
The Trust’s website describes Strategic Project Grants as capacity-building support for capital projects, equipment and technology, and program or staff expansion. Its application process begins with an eligibility assessment and, for eligible applicants, a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Applicants whose LOIs are approved may be invited to submit a full application. General eligibility guidelines specify organizations based in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, or projects with more than 50% impact in the region; eligible entity types include 501(c)(3) public charities, federally recognized tribal entities, and qualifying government entities. Strategic Project LOIs require information about the organization, project, budget and use of funds, target population, and expected outcomes and impact.
The Trust also lists science-focused programs, including Research Start-Up Grants for New Science Faculty, Scientific Research Instrumentation Grants, and the Murdock College Research Program for Natural Sciences. The latter supports natural sciences research at private, predominantly undergraduate colleges and universities in the Trust’s region and lists awards up to $70,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Romanita Hairston as CEO; Elmer Huh as CIO; Mike True as CFO; Pauline Fong as CPIO; and Jeff Grubb, Jeff Pinneo, and John Castles as trustees.
M J Murdock Charitable Trust is led by Romanita Hairston, CEO on every filing since 2023; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Romanita Hairston
CEO
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$551K (2023) → $731K (2024)
Jeff Grubb
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15.3 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $146K (2024)
Jeff Pinneo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15.3 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $146K (2024)
John Castles
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15.3 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $146K (2024)
Elmer Huh
CIO
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$487K (2020) → $700K (2024)
Mike True
CFO
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $356K (2024)
Pauline Fong
Cpio
Cpif → Cpio, 2024
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$255K (2023) → $309K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Steve G. Moore (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Romanita Hairston Start (2022) — CEO
- Former: Lynwood Swanson (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $731K, to Romanita Hairston (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about M J Murdock Charitable Trust
How much does M J Murdock Charitable Trust give each year?
M J Murdock Charitable Trust gave $116.6M across 797 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $80.1M across 729 grants.
What is M J Murdock Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
M J Murdock Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $87,000, and its average grant was $146,346, across 797 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from M J Murdock Charitable Trust that year got $213K on average.
Where does M J Murdock Charitable Trust give grants?
M J Murdock Charitable Trust's top state is Washington, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Oregon (28%) and Montana (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (117 grants), Seattle, WA (84 grants), Anchorage, AK (23 grants) and Tacoma, WA (22 grants).
Does M J Murdock Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of M J Murdock Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 797) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "New Program Staff" (103 grants), "New Staff" (72 grants) and "New Development Staff" (63 grants).
Who are M J Murdock Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
M J Murdock Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include M J Murdock Charitable Trust ($1,548,170), Washington State University Foundation ($1,205,000 across 5 grants) and University of Washington ($1,075,500 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 3% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is M J Murdock Charitable Trust?
M J Murdock Charitable Trust reported $2.0B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $130.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $92.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does M J Murdock Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust’s mission is to build capacity in nonprofits driving innovative and sustainable outcomes across the Pacific Northwest. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from M J Murdock Charitable Trust?
Review the eligibility guidelines and application periods, complete the eligibility assessment in the grants portal, and submit an LOI during an open period. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is M J Murdock Charitable Trust's EIN?
M J Murdock Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7456468. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in M J Murdock Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). M J Murdock Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/m-j-murdock-charitable-trust-morg_01046118a47a44c4906b444547aa5d3c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237456468_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{M J Murdock Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/m-j-murdock-charitable-trust-morg_01046118a47a44c4906b444547aa5d3c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from M J Murdock Charitable Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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