Strategic Projects: Capital Grants

The Strategic Projects: Capital Grants by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust offer vital funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. These grants support transformative projects that enhance community well-being through construction, renovation, and infrastructure investments. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities. The Trust emphasizes projects that demonstrate strong community impact and funding diversification, ensuring sustainable growth and lasting benefits for the communities served.

Communities need nonprofits to thrive
We believe in transformational ideas that help individuals, families and communities flourish—and since 1975, the Murdock Trust has invested more than $1.4 billion into nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to thinking bigger, challenging problems and making a true difference.
Strategic Project Grants
Capacity-building awards for mission-focused projects and infrastructure investment
Is capital growth or expansion important to your nonprofit’s vision for long-term growth and success? The Murdock Trust regularly makes grants that support construction, renovation, land purchase and other capital projects. In most cases, we prefer to receive requests for these types of projects once your organization has raised a portion of the needed funds.

Eligibility

Organizational EligibilityFunding Region:The Trust prioritizes grants to organizations based in:Alaska IdahoMontanaOregonWashington 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 ExpressionCivic Engagement & Community ServicesEducation & Leadership DevelopmentHealth & Environmental StewardshipScientific ResearchEligible 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 nonprofit organization applying for support must verify the possession of the most current IRA documentation (“determination letter”) reflecting its status as a public charity.A federally recognized tribal entityA government entity such as a university or a medical center, but please note that only certain governmental entities are eligible under these guidelines. The Trust does consider projects and organizations that obtain significant funding from government sources if they are related to business transactions. For example:Cases where the government is a direct customer of services provided by the nonprofit such as youth skill development groups, refugee service providers, or youth forestry service providers Organizations receiving Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement through patients Mental health and social service providers with fees for services (contracts)If the project includes funding for fundraising staff, then the board (governance or fundraising board and committees) must demonstrate significant engagement and financial support, as that commitment is a key factor for project success.Project EligibilityStrategic Project Grants:The Trust funds three types of strategic project grants (New Staff or Program Expansion Grants, Capital Grants, and Equipment and Technology Grants). Each grant request should be centered around one type.Capital Grants: Supports construction, renovation, land or property purchase, leasehold improvements, and other capital upgrades.Eligible Capital Costs:Hard Costs: Construction labor and materialsSite upgradesLandscapingUtility or system installation FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment)Soft Costs: Architectural or engineering servicesSite analysisPermittingTaxesExternal project managementProperty Acquisition: The property to purchase must be identified by the time of application and the closing date for purchase must occur after a grant has been awarded.Requests to fund playgrounds as part of a larger capital project are eligible.Capital projects initiated after a Trust site visit are eligible but funding is not guaranteed.Capital projects limited to organizational headquarters for infrastructure are eligible. Submission Frequency:Returning grantees may submit a new Letter of Inquiry three years after the Date Awarded on their most recent grant.Declined applicants may submit a new Letter of Inquiry for a different project, one year after the decision date.

Ineligibility

Ineligible Entity Types:Fiscally sponsored organizationsGovernmental entities that receive a substantial amount of government funding, such as: public librariespublic K-12 school districtspublic charter schoolspublic parks and recreationfire departmentsfire districtspolice stations[Exceptions to this include select entities, such as universities (scientific research), rural/tribal community colleges, medical centers, historical societies, and tribal government entities.]Section 501(c)(4) organizations (advocacy or social welfare organizations)Section 501(c)(6) organizations (business leagues, chambers, and trade associations)Section 509(a)(3) supporting organizations, regardless of type Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship that do not have a separate 501(c)(3) status and an independent governance board for external programsPrivate foundations (non-operating)Non-U.S. entitiesIndividualsSenior centers, hospice organizations, and other services for the agingFor-profit businesses, corporations, or LLCsEntities with fewer than three complete years of operating and financial historyEntities that, in policy or practice, unlawfully discriminate based on race, ethnic origin, sex, creed, or religionEntities that receive a majority of funding and support from commercial gambling revenue (lottery, casino, etc.)
Ineligible Capital Costs:Long-term debt repayment or debt retirementRoutine maintenance of short-life items or deferred capital replacements which do not significantly transform programs, operations, or capacityProjects funded with more than 70 percent from government fundingDirect fundraising expenses, feasibility studies, or costs for existing staff timeStandalone playgrounds
Ineligible Funding Requests (for all types):Standard or ongoing operational costs, including existing staff timeExisting projects that have been financed from external sourcesDebt retirement or funding for operational deficits Funds that will ultimately be passed through to other organizations or individuals Standalone requests for short-lived projects, initiatives, or seasonal programs such as event sponsorships, consulting, honorariums, or contract staffing Standalone requests for planning or research such as study-based projects, surveys or focus groups, assessments, or stipends Projects with funding plans with 50 or more of commercial gaming revenue (lottery, casino, etc.)Endowments or revolving funds that function as suchUrgent needs, emergency funding, or gap funding
Capital projects completed prior to Trust site visit are not eligible.The Trust does not generally fund projects with budgets below $100,000 and with request amounts less than $50,000. The Trust does not generally fund capital projects with government sources contributing 70 percent or more of the required funding.The Trust does not generally fund sustained staff positions receiving more than 50 percent of government funding.