90 survey respondents
Location: 703 Broadway St Ste 710, Vancouver, 98660 WA
EIN: 23-7456468
89%
11%
40 hours
Median
89%
11%
90%
10%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 8940 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
Reach out to their program staff before applying. They are always helpful and willing to answer questions about your projects chances for success. The LOI process is fairly simple. Once your LOI is accepted and you are invited to apply, the real work begins. It was the most rigorous grant application I've ever worked on. We worked with our Finance Director and a Grant Writer to help us submit all the necessary materials in a timely fashion. Their website is a wonderful tool for understanding their process, requirements and forms. The next step in the process is a meeting with your Program Officer. Ours was incredibly helpful and always open to answering our questions. I felt very supported by her through the process. In the end, our request was approved and it was a very generous amount that was critical to our ability to reach our project goal. I am so grateful to the Trust for the thoughtful process and the instrumental investment in our work.
Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Very accessible!
Good
They're masters, no advice.
Do not be afraid to reach out, it's the best route for understanding your fit and the application process.
Answering questions and guiding you through the process. Though it's a rigorous process it was never a mystery. That was so helpful!
40
Thank you so much for your kind assessment of our work.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
It was helpful to schedule a phone call with a program officer to talk through initial ideas. Do some planning and preparation before the call to make the most of the time.
Risk taker, Builds relationships, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Program officers were very responsive and accessible throughout the process. They also made the process clear and were helpful as we moved through the stages from initial inquiry to LOI to full proposal.
Good
Some of the parameters around how proposals need to be staged related funding new work could potentially make it tricky for organizations to prepare the pathway to launch. It's a balance to identify/seek other funding to support new efforts while staying in line with the Trust's guidelines.
Being responsive and supportive throughout the process.
20
Thank you for this feedback and for your kind remarks regarding the Trust's commitment to clear, ongoing communication between nonprofits and our staff.
Reviewer 3033 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
In applying for the M.J. Murdock grant I found that following using the website as a resource and guide was very effective. It is very important to complete this application correctly and completely and make sure you meet the guidelines for applicants from the beginning. I also found that all of the staff I spoke with or ask for information from were very professional and helpful. They answered my questions completely and in a way that made me believe they wanted us to be successful. Again, I can't stress enough that replies to my questions were very prompt and helpful. Don't hesitate to seek more information but be sure you have done your homework first.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Idaho
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
I had heard about the MJ Murdock and had been to 1 or 2 workshops getting the word out about the opportunities. Additionally I was able to take advantage of an opportunity to meet with one of the program directors 1 on 1. I went into the process feeling prepared and positive.
none
Outlines and communicates the process. It is very organized communication is very good.
100
We are grateful to hear that our staff provided prompt, useful assistance as you worked through the application process. While we try to provide a variety of thorough, easy-to-follow resources on our website to help guide applicants, we know that often a quick email or phone call can be even more effective and we are always happy to connect and provide guidance. Thank you for your feedback!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
Great opportunity to build capacity through a significant, mulit-year grant. The grant application takes a large amount of work, and the process is about nine-months, so planning ahead is critical. They like to fund new positions that can grow capacity of organization and have a strong sustainability plan for beyond the life of the grant.
Friendly, Likes site visits
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Average
Good
The LOI is right sized, but the full application takes to long particularly for smaller organizations that don't have dedicated grant writing. A few less attachments would be helpful.
An LOI does not take too long, that being said an initial conversation is always helpful. Be thoughtful about the long-term sustainability of your project, as that is a critical component of their decision on funding.
The site visit is thorough and they give it two to three hours, so you have plenty of time for sharing your project, answering questions and getting your own questions answered.
60
We are grateful to hear that the in-person site visit with our Program Director was a helpful element of the process for you. We find these discussions to be critical in building relationships and helping ensure projects are best positioned for success.
We also appreciate your note regarding identifying ways to streamline our application process. We are constantly evaluating our process based on applicant feedback and will take this into consideration as we move forward.
Reviewer 5489 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2015
It used to be that you could write an LOI to Murdock and if they invited you to write a grant proposal, you had a 90% chance of funding. That has changed, and they are turning down more proposals. It's frustrating, because to write a good Murdock grant is a very difficult process. I've had a staff person tell me a grant had a very good chance of funding, only to find out later that it didn't have any chance.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Culturally incompetent, Risk averse
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2015
Average
You can easily get to talk to someone on the phone. But that doesn't mean you'll get the info you really need.
Average
Don't lead people on. If you accept an LOI, that should mean a 90-95% chance of a well-written, well thought out grant being funded. You are wasting valuable nonprofit employee time.
My org was funded for a staff person. But the site visit was really awful. We all felt like we needed to cry after they left. I did cry. The Murdock staff person basically told us we were doing way too many things wrong, we were trying to do too much and would probably fail, needed to change much of our business practice, and he didn't really approve of some of our social service work. It felt like a lecture from your dad when you'd broken a neighbor's window. Incredibly discouraging. But then, they funded the staff person.
Christian organizations have a leg up with Murdock.
80
We appreciate this feedback and are saddened to hear that you didn’t have a positive experience with our grant review process. We are constantly working to improve our application and review process and we will do our best to learn from this and other feedback we regularly receive from individuals and organizations. In our most recent Center for Effective Philanthropy survey, applicants, both those who received funding from the Trust and those that did not, gave the Trust top marks for our commitment to ensuring clear, quality communication throughout our process and they consider this an asset as they prepared their application. For example, we do try and make staff available for calls, emails, and meetings to help applicants prepare for and present a strong proposal. We also spend considerable effort ensuring that our website is full of helpful instructions, samples, tips and other resources to support applicants through the process. That said, no process will ever be perfect and we are always looking for ways to provide an even better experience.
Regarding the connection between approval of an LOI and approval of a grant application, the Trust has never approved anything close to 90-95% of the applications it receives, nor have we indicated such a high level of success should be expected. The Letter of Inquiry is just the first stage in our vetting process and we do come across any number of challenges that might lead to declining an application as we get into a more detailed review of the proposal. In all our communications we make it clear that the process is competitive and successful grantees should ensure that their organization is prepared before submitting their application and if they discover questions that need to be addressed, there are options available before hitting “submit.” Program directors give applicants the opportunity to defer or withdraw and later resubmit their application if the organization needs more time to plan or prepare for the proposed project. We do our best to avoid telling organizations what to do; however, we will encourage best practices and report out what we know others in the sector to be doing. We are rooting for every nonprofit we meet with and want to see every organization funded, but we also believe we have a responsibility to fund projects that have the best chance to uplift a nonprofit and not proposals that could turn into a burden down the road.
The Trust invests in the capacity of a wide range of organizations doing great work in communities around the Pacific Northwest, including a small portion that are faith-based. However, all organizations go through the same application and review process and are held to the same high standards.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
Although the application is rigorous, the grants officers and website provide a lot of really helpful information. Be sure to be prompt and professional when working with the person assigned to your grant.
Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, Responsive
Alaska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
The grant application process for this funder really helped our organization think through some big issue topics such as sustainability.
The Murdock Charitable Trust has been very transparent about the grant-application process. We have really appreciated being kept informed every step of the way.
20
We are so pleased that the resources we have provided were helpful in your application process. Thank you for providing this feedback!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
The grants manager we worked with was genuinely interested in helping us increase our chances of receiving a grant from the Trust. We implemented their suggestions and were recently notified that the project was approved by the trustees! The application took quite a bit of thought and was very thorough, so it's very clear the Trust funds projects that they believe are sustainable and realistic and will truly make a difference. The resources on the Trust's website were helpful in guiding us through the application process and required documents.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Texas
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
Continue making available as many resources as possible. They were helpful as we worked to provide the requested information.
10
We believe that engagement between a funder and a nonprofit can be a critical element to a successful grant. We are grateful to hear that the in personal connection you experienced with your program director was helpful in this process. We appreciate your feedback!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
The team is really a partner in the process - When you approach, do your homework in the grant areas and have a fleshed out idea. However, don't be afraid to share some other things in your pipeline and how they relate to your larger goals. This is a funder that cares about your institution.
Positive leader in the field, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
This funder is dedicated to the Pacific Northwest in several important areas of need.
A slightly faster process would be nice, but this kind of investment takes time and energy - clearly explained and well managed throughout.
They care about the larger arch of your story as an institution and want to help. There are hurdles, but it's all intended to get you thinking about your project and talking about it in the right way.
60
Our goal is to come alongside nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest and partner in supporting the work that will help sustain and grow their mission for years to come. We appreciate you sharing your experience working with our team and we are glad to hear that it was beneficial to your work.
Reviewer 6787 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
In our limited view based on our own experience and that of a partner organization, the application process is rigorous but the structure and intensity of the process definitely varies depending on the program officer.
Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
The funder participates in grantwriters/funders' forums and has a wealth of information on its website about how to assess alignment and apply. The representative we met at a funders' forum was responsive and helpful when we reached out for further information and initiated our application.
Good
We really appreciate Murdock's capacity-building/staff grantmaking priority. The ability to fund a new staff position or build out a department is critical to the growth and long-term health of so many non-profits, and yet there aren't many funders out there interested in specifically funding these expenses.
80
We are grateful to hear your partnership with our program directors was beneficial to the process and appreciate this feedback.
Reviewer 7964 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2014
The program managers really act as a partner in developing your grant proposal. Begin a conversation with them early, ideally at the idea formulation/planning stage. The program manager can help shape the project, and help set goals and strategies.
Positive leader in the field, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2014
Good
They have a ton of helpful resources available on their website, and program managers are responsive to questions if you can’t find an answer online.
Good
The trust thinks about bigger, challenging problems that are facing organization and communities.
Murdock is a good funder to approach with your biggest, most challenging projects.
Because their process is rigorous and time intensive, there is a lot of collaboration with the program manager in preparation for the board review.
40
We are grateful to hear that our process and partnership was helpful to your team through the application process. Thank you for your feedback!
