Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants

Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Amount: More than US $50,000
Last Updated: March 06, 2026

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.

Overview

NOTE: The final 2025 LOI submission period opens October 15, 2025, and closes December 26, 2025. The three LOI submission periods for 2026 are as follows:March 16- April 9Jul 1–Aug 10, 2026Oct 15–Nov 20, 2026 Grant Opportunities 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 Program & Staff Expanding programs and adding staff are important markers of nonprofit success. Murdock Trust grants help fund both new programs and the expansion of existing programs and may be used to cover start-up costs and/or related staff member additions. Typically, we fund program and staff grants on a declining basis over three years (100/67/33%).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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.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.Guidelines for Fundraising Positions:The Trust only funds the first full-time fundraising position in an organization.The Trust anticipates a return on investment (ROI) with new funds raised that, at a minimum, double the cost of the position (including proposed associated costs) after the grant is complete (Year 4).The organization’s leadership must be currently implementing an organized development effort.Board giving should reflect a spirit of philanthropy in the organization.Organizational leadership should reflect engagement in fund development.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 ExpressionAll staff or program expansion requests are limited to one position only.The Trust prioritizes strong programming that demonstrates impact and evidence of project-related expertise.Arts Education: The Trust prioritizes community-based arts education programming, outside of school hours, that leads to the acquisition of artistic skills.Exhibits:Exhibits must demonstrate current curatorial standards in the field: knowledgeable interpretation, high-quality production, strong educational programming, and broad reach. Museums, Historical Societies, and Heritage Organizations:Eligible entities will demonstrate community support and engagement, with programs that go beyond drop-in exhibits for visitors.The community served should extend beyond the town/city the organization is located in. This broad reach should also be reflected in the exhibition programming.Requests are limited to organizations with formal accreditation or demonstrated peer recognition for excellence in programming.Civic Engagement & Community ServicesSupporting Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Exploitation: The Trust prioritizes organizations with upstream prevention programs.Financial Assistance: The Trust prioritizes programs that demonstrate a clear path to transformation or stability (not rental assistance or emergency funding).Education & Leadership DevelopmentEducation:K-12 Schools and K-12 Education Support: The Trust considers private/independent schools, private/public charter schools, and nonprofits/community-based organizations that offer in-school or after-school programming that supplement (not replace) the work of K-12 education staff.Community Colleges:The 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.Eligible Projects and Related Outcomes for Community Colleges, Vocational, Trade, and Technical Schools: Projects that expand initiatives within future of work including STEAM and health-related fields and programs responsive to community economic development (e.g., credentialing, badging, certificate programs, vocational schools, and trade and technical schools.) Resourced Social SectorLeadership Development: Capacity-Building:The Trust considers projects focused on program or staff expansion.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:Staff hires or programs initiated before Trustee action are not eligible for funding.The Trust does not generally fund administrative support positions.The Trust does not fund positions that previously existed within the last five years.The Trust does not fund requests for positions or programs sustained with revenues of more than about 50 percent from government funding. 50 percent does not include positions or programs that are sustained with fee-based reimbursements or ongoing public contract revenue. 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.