Funding Priorities

In 2006, the Trust put over $29 million into the economy in the form of grants and enrichment programs. Jack Murdock’s desire to “nurture and enrich the educational, spiritual, cultural, and social lives of individuals, families, and communities"? continues to be reflected in grants, enrichment programs, and many Trust activities to this day.

The Trust’s founder believed in science and technology as a one of the most important sources of knowledge and inventiveness, knowledge which he believed to be the key to resolving many issues. As a result, the Trust has long been at the forefront of private support for scientific research and innovation. In recent years, this has realized about 60 scientific research grants annually.

Although Murdock himself forsook formal higher education, his informal education was continuous and lifelong as he was an avid learner, innovator, and entrepreneur. The special importance he placed on education has been the beacon leading Trust support of many colleges and universities in the five states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Organizations involved in advancing culture and the arts are welcomed each year, as are projects targeted to elevating human services, health, and health care in the region. These include community-based and faith-based organizations, particularly those which serve youth and young adults. From a founder who was thoroughly unpretentious, the Trust has taken his lead to welcome the best ideas from all across the region’s rural areas and urban centers.

Murdock was sensitive to community issues, and his typical strategy was to convene diverse leaders to focus on a question of importance. With this model, the Trust continues to bring many voices together to examine and explore ideas and trends. Several enrichment programs have come from such gatherings. Most recently the Christian Leadership Initiative seeks to further equip women and men to make significant contributions in tomorrow’s world.

Grant Types

General Grants
General Scientific Research Grants
Formal Program Grants in Science

Grant Guidelines

In most cases, awarded funds are at work for the benefit of the people living and contributing in the Pacific Northwest, just as Jack Murdock did, although some are made beyond the five-state region to foster the commerce of national and international ideas in the Pacific Northwest.

Applications for grants are considered from organizations which have been ruled to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and which are not private foundations as defined in Section 509(a) of the Code. Charitable organizations applying for support must have in hand such IRS documentation of status.

Priority is given to applications for the support of projects and programs conducted by qualified organizations within the five states of the Pacific Northwest: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Of major interest are organizations and projects that are not primarily or normally financed by tax funds.

While the Trust supports a wide variety of projects and programs in the region, there are limitations in Trust interest. Some brief guidelines follow to assist you in determining if your project is clearly out of question or perhaps only of marginal interest.

The following kinds of applications ARE NOT considered:

• For the benefit of specific individuals.
• By individuals acting on behalf of, but without the authority of, qualified tax-exempt organizations.
• For grants to conduit organizations; i.e., to tax-exempt organizations for passing funds on to organizations not tax-exempt in their own right.
• For propagandizing or for influencing legislation and elections.
• By institutions which in policy or practice unfairly discriminate against race, ethnic origin, sex, creed, or religion.
• By sectarian or religious organizations whose principal activity is for the benefit of their own members or adherents.
• For loans, debt retirement, or operational deficits.
• For organizations which are organized and operated outside any state or territory of the United States.

The following kinds of applications USUALLY ARE NOT considered:

• For normal ongoing operations or their extension.
• For contributions to general fund drives or annual charitable appeals.
• For continuation of programs previously financed from other external sources.
• For emergency funding, such as in filling gaps between grants or for crash programs.
• For granting of funds to an organization for distribution to ultimate beneficiaries of its own choosing.
• For endowment.