History

The M. J. Murdock Trust was created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, co-founder of Tektronix, Inc., and an innovative, entrepreneurial leader with business involvements and interests throughout the Pacific Northwest. A resident of Vancouver, Washington, Mr. Murdock named three Trustees in his will who chose to implement its directives by establishing a charitable trust. The three named Trustees were Paul L. Boley, James B. Castles, and Walter P. Dyke.

To assist them in establishing the grantmaking principles and practices of the Trust, they chose Sam C. Smith as its first executive director. Dr. Smith’s guidance and influence during the first 13 years of the Trust were instrumental in setting a course which is followed closely to this day. He retired in 1988 and was succeeded by Ford A. Anderson, II, who continued the principles of grantmaking established by Dr. Smith. Mr. Anderson was followed in the role of executive director by Neal O. Thorpe, who now serves as a Trustee. Dr. Thorpe gave leadership to the development of some of the unique enrichment initiatives which serve a wide range of non-profits. He was succeeded as the executive director in 2006 by Dr. Steve Moore.

All three original Trustees are now deceased and have been succeeded, as per instruction in the will, by the people who now constitute a second generation Board. The first to die in 1986 was Paul L. Boley. He was succeeded by Lynwood W. Swanson. Neal O. Thorpe succeeded Walter P. Dyke who died in early 1995 and John W. Castles succeeded his father, James B. Castles, upon his death in mid-1995.

Since its establishment on June 30, 1975, the Trust has focused most of its grantmaking efforts in the five states of the Pacific Northwest: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. A historical emphasis in grantmaking has been in higher education, scientific research and development, human social services, health care, and the arts.

The Trust began operations in 1975 with assets of $91 million. Over the years these assets have grown to nearly $800 million while almost $500 million has been given out in grant awards. This places the Trust within the top five largest private foundations in the Pacific Northwest and one of the top 100 in the country. It is one of the only foundations headquartered in the Pacific Northwest that regularly awards grants in a five-state region, although some grants are awarded for national purposes.

The Trust has a staff with wide experience in the activities necessary for thoughtful grantmaking and the investment of Trust assets. In addition to normal grantmaking, it is common Trust practice to convene groups of people to discuss issues of mutual interest and to provide enrichment programs that build capacity and develop leaders. This interactive practice is of great assistance to the Trust as it seeks to respond to new opportunities to make grants consistent with its mission and to promote networking and partnerships among individuals and organizations who share a commitment to enriching the lives of individuals, families, and communities in ways consistent with the Trust’s mission.