M J Murdock Charitable Trust
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a private foundation headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, established in 1975 through the will of Melvin Jack Murdock, co-founder of Tektronix. The Trust strengthens the capacity of nonprofit organizations across the Pacific Northwest through grants, programming, initiatives, and convenings focused on capacity building and regional impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0B
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$116.6M
+45.6% YoY
Grant Count
797
+9.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$146K
+33.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To build capacity in nonprofits driving innovative and sustainable outcomes across the Pacific Northwest.
Vision: Human flourishing for the common good. People of all communities thrive in a just society and experience equity of access and equality of opportunity, enhancing the quality of life for everyone.
Core Values:
- Stewardship: Thoughtful stewardship of resources entrusted by Jack Murdock, ensuring donor intent remains evergreen through measured yet proactive approaches and regular examination of grant criteria.
- Relational: A people-focused funder taking a relational approach that builds connection with partners, conducting conversations and site visits with warm and sincere hospitality.
- Innovation: Valuing creative and inventive thinking that brings new solutions to challenges, encouraging lifelong learning and adaptability.
- Data-Informed: Using qualitative and quantitative data to inform grantmaking decisions, program offerings, and strategic planning.
Areas of Focus:
- Artistic & Cultural Expression
- Civic Engagement & Community Services
- Education & Leadership Development
- Health & Environmental Stewardship
- Scientific Research
Grantmaking
The Trust provides capacity-building support through multiple grant types and initiatives:
Review Cycle
** Strategic Project Grants deadline April 9, 2026; RAISE deadline April 1, 2026.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust serves a five-state region in the Pacific Northwest:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
The Trust provides limited invited grants beyond the region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $1.96–$1.97 billion (2024)
Annual Giving: $89 million (2024)
Revenue: $179.8 million (2024)
Expenses: $105 million (2024)
Total Liabilities: $116 million (2024)
Historical Impact: Since founding in 1975, the Trust has awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants and programs to over 3,000 organizations. Beginning with assets of $91 million, the Trust's endowment has grown consistently, placing it within the top five largest private foundations in the Pacific Northwest and among the top 100 in the country.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,966,464,844 | $1,892,899,273 | $1,757,097,736 |
| Revenue | $179,774,834 | $94,465,842 | $199,263,770 |
| Expenses | $105,345,479 | $98,143,455 | $152,144,578 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $130,392,320 | $92,277,403 | $97,621,208 |
| Net Investment Income | $172,704,514 | $79,079,790 | $195,802,764 |
| Distributable Amount | $92,078,670 | $88,697,420 | $94,368,392 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Murdock College Research Program for Natural Sciences Grant
M J MURDOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
Amount
Up to US $70,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Partners in Science Grant Program
M J MURDOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
Amount
US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Research Start-Up Grants for New Science Faculty
M J MURDOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
Amount
Up to US $36,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Romanita Hairston
Staff: Approximately 40 employees
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELMER HUH | CIO | 45 | $699,650 |
| MIKE TRUE | CFO | 45 | $355,957 |
| ROMANITA HAIRSTON | CEO | 45 | $730,992 |
| JEFF GRUBB | TRUSTEE | 15.25 | $146,037 |
| JEFF PINNEO | TRUSTEE | 15.25 | $146,037 |
| JOHN CASTLES | TRUSTEE | 15.25 | $146,037 |
| PAULINE FONG | CPIO | 45 | $309,465 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Trust announced Fall 2025 grants and continues to award grants across its focus areas. Recent grant recipients have included organizations such as Wallowa Land Trust, Washington State University, and San Juan Island Community Foundation, among others. The Trust hosts informational webinars covering updates to funding priorities and eligibility guidelines, with sessions scheduled for March 2026.
M.J. Murdock Trust Announces Fall 2025 GrantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with M J Murdock Charitable Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities