Strategic Projects: Equipment & Technology Grants

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers Strategic Projects: Equipment & Technology Grants to nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building projects and essential equipment, requiring recipients to cover at least 50% of costs. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and tribal entities. Priority is given to projects enhancing community services, education, and environmental stewardship, supporting initiatives that foster human flourishing and demonstrate diversified funding.

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
Best practices suggest that a healthy equipment and supporting technology infrastructure is essential. Please note that with these grants, recipient organizations are responsible for 50% or greater of the purchase cost.

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.Equipment and Technology Grants: Only grants for equipment or technology new to the organization will be considered. Grantees must be responsible for 50 percent or more of the purchase cost.Physical equipment should have a life expectancy of 10 or more years.Equipment with shorter life expectancy should include an equipment replacement plan.Equipment or technology may be ordered with a deposit prior to Trustee decision.Requests may include costs for consultant training for equipment or technology.Requests may include up to one year of maintenance costs.Technology requests should include replacement and maintenance plans.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.Specific Guidelines by Area of FocusArtistic & Cultural ExpressionMedia (Public & Community Broadcasting)Requests are limited to equipment or technology projects only.Civic Engagement & Community ServicesFood InsecurityThe Trust prioritizes food banks with state-wide, multi-county, or regional reach, serving large population services areas; prioritizes capital and equipment requests.Education & Leadership DevelopmentCommunity CollegesThe Trust prioritizes equipment, technology, and program expansion requests from community colleges, vocational, trade, and technical schools—both improving access and supporting pathways that enable students to continue their education beyond high school graduation.Health & Environmental StewardshipHospitals and ClinicsThe Trust only funds equipment requests for revenue-generating equipment.(e.g. diagnostic and surgical).Trail OrganizationsThe Trust prioritizes trail groups with regional impact and multiple partnerships. Only Staff and Equipment requests are eligible.Scientific ResearchPrivate Undergraduate Institutions: The Trust considers projects that are one of the president’s highest strategic priorities for capital, equipment, and technology projects in STEM or allied health education. Smaller institutions may be eligible for senior or strategic staff positions and programs.

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 Costs:The Trust does not fund routine or deferred maintenance not part of a major facility renovation, facility expansion, or new facility purchase.Fully purchased equipment or technology will not be reimbursed.
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
The Trust does not generally fund projects with budgets below $100,000 and with request amounts less than $50,000.