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:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Reach out and connect with a program officer.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Extremely accessible.
Good
Very well. They understand the challenges that nonprofits face and the essential support they play in engaging and partnering with the social sector - in service to civil society.
Sharing more broadly about the effective work M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust does in and for the social sector. The Trust is a quiet but mighty funder. I would encourage the Trust to increase their level of visibility in the Pacific Northwest. They are making a difference!
Does a great job involving the community.
0
We are grateful to hear that our process was helpful to your organization and humbled by your kind words and suggestions in this review. Thank you for your thoughtful feedback!
Reviewer 1739 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The Trust staff are accessible and responsive. Questions are answered quickly and with respect. The process has been significantly updated in recent years and has cut down on the time it takes to apply. The process also created an internal review of our funding goals and how to better inform and engage our current and prospective investors.
Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Good
The resources/training that you provide, in addition to your grant support, is a needed a valued service to our nonprofit community.
Although the Trust is one of the largest in our region, they have maintained a "small foundation" in they way the interact with grantee and prospective grantees. Their attention is authentic. They recognize that the grantee is the "expert" in their particular area and provide encouragement and support for building strong community resources.
15
While we believe in a thorough review process to ensure we are helping set nonprofits up for success in the long term, we are also always looking for ways to create efficiencies in our application and regularly tweak and update our approach. We are grateful to hear that our approach was beneficial to your organization and appreciate your feedback.
Reviewer 1273 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
This funder is highly relational and works hard to provide coaching throughout the application process. With their intentionality towards capacity building, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust is a sought-after foundation for nonprofits needing an operational boost to take their work to the next level! The application and reporting requirements are lengthy, but instructions online are clear and Program Directors are available to assist as needed. Once you've received a grant from Murdock (and successfully met markers in the grant proposal), they are committed to your organization's success and welcome future proposals, as well. The Murdock team sees the importance of infrastructural and programmatic sustainability, and works hard to provide that for the nonprofit organizations it works with.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
Murdock invests in nonprofit efforts in a variety of fields in the Northwest, and looks favorably on innovative and creative projects as well as proven methodologies for solving community challenges.
MJ Murdock Charitable Trust will fund staff positions, often over a three-year grant with amounts decreasing in scale in order to ensure longevity and sustainability. This model is really helpful for nonprofits who must plan for and expand fundraising efforts.
Having a staff person assigned to each proposal allows for coaching throughout the process and helps nonprofits communicate the heartbeat behind the proposal with the Board of Trustees.
6
We are humbled by these kind remarks. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Grant Applicant - applied before 2014
Study the web page and fill out the forms in advance. You will learn a lot about your own project and organization. Their process is a detailed analysis of your organization.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Likes site visits, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
Before 2014
Good
Very good and timely. The process is too long however. This is not just a Murdock issue.
Good
Overall, very well. Murdock does great work, but it is frustrating to have to wait so long for the process to happen. This is not just a Murdock issue it is a philanthropy issue. Imagine going to a bank for a loan and they say, " we only meet twice a year/once a quarter" so your project has to wait on us. That is poor customer service. Somehow the process should be streamlined to look at non profits as "customers" who expect excellent, timely service.
Lead the industry in streamlining and standardizing what is required in forms and requests. Funders all have different forms, some want with GIK, some without, some want trends, some dont. The industry should come up with metrics that matter in the decision process. Some funders, want very little. Just a LOI, budget and P and L, that is not right either. Unrestricted funds are golden. It would be nice to have Murdock make some funds available that are not as focused on specific projects. Overall outcomes still would need to be measurable and significant
Provides programs to train and better equip non profits.
0
We appreciate this constructive feedback on our process. There is a constant balance between providing a swift experience while also providing the thorough review that helps ensure long term success of projects and programs. We work hard to strike a reasonable balance between these two areas and are constantly evaluating strategies to introduce new efficiencies and streamlined processes. Thank you for your thinking and ideas on this topic.
Reviewer 7674 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Murdock is one of the best funders that we have worked with. The application is detailed and significant information is collected, but it is all read and utilized to make a decision on the proposal. I would ensure that your project is well outlined and that all board, staff, and significant stakeholders are aligned on the project before applying.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
The Trust was incredibly accessible to us and was great about answering all of our questions, providing context, and keeping us updated throughout the decision making process.
Good
The Trust has been incredibly successful in accomplishing it's goals. Our organization has benefited from two grants that have both been transformational in our growth process and helped position us to become who we are today.
Please keep awarding capacity building grants to organization. There are fewer and fewer foundations doing this and it truly does provide the catalyst that many need to enhance their programs and services.
The Trust is a wonderful organization that is making a difference for so many organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest in communities of all sizes.
They ask really great questions and help the applicant truly think through the project. They also provide invaluable professional development opportunities in development to selected nonprofits each year.
35
Thank you so much for your kind remarks and thoughtful suggestions as to how we can continued to make a positive impact on the Pacific Northwest community.
Reviewer 3839 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
The Trust provides a wealth of information available on their website, and I'd encourage a colleague to spend some hours reviewing the material. It helps situate you into the framework of the Trust's philosophy, so you understand how to connect your work to the Trust's priorities.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
Washington
Grant currently pending
Other
2019
Good
Representatives from the Trust were quick in getting back to us regarding specific application questions. We also met with them prior to preparing the application, which is always good to gauge a funder's fit for your project.
Good
The Trust focuses on advancing nonprofit capacity and maintaining a high priority on sustainability. We appreciate that. It helps investments (grant awards) carry forward into the future with continuing impact.
The materials available online (videos, articles, explanations, etc.) can likely be overwhelming. I wonder if there's a way to better structure that on the website. I often found myself diving around a few pages to make sure I had all the crucial guiding materials.
Pending
They have a great and supportive staff who help nonprofits continually consider how to advance their mission.
18
We appreciate this constructive feedback regarding our online resources for potential applicants. In January 2020, we debuted an updated design and layout to our website, based on feedback from our grantees and applicants, that should make these resources more easily navigable. Thank you for your input!
Reviewer 7310 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
My experience is that the Trust staff wants your organization to succeed and so they are conscious of the time they know it takes to apply. To that end, they have a great website that clearly outlines the areas they fund and those they don't so there are few surprises about areas of focus and interests. They are also accessible by phone and email both before and during the process.
Insightful, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Alaska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
I think the Trust is very clear about their areas of focus both by geography and by sub-sector. I appreciate their clarity.
Good
They take their time to get to know the project and the organization. They are as interested in the greater community impact as they are in the organization itself. They do take a "do no harm" approach to assure that their funding will truly have the intended benefit. I also appreciate that they are connected to other funders and capacity builders in the region so they can work collaboratively.
Fabulous. We have a long standing relationship built on trust. We communicate even when we are not in the funding cycle and when we are and we make a misstep we know we can be honest about what we learned along the way. This is how it should work. We are in this work together.
Like their roots in aviation, they are a calculated risk-taker. They have a diverse portfolio of interests based on their founder as appropriate. You don't have to agree with all of their interests just like they don't have to agree with all of yours. Find the place to do something better together for your community.
It is not my issue or challenge but I do think helping groups understand that it is a long process intended to build trusting relationships is not the norm and so some seem frustrated by the pace. I personally think it is the right move as it allows time to engage them and the board, staff, and recipients of the mission.
40
We believe in taking a balanced approach between providing a thorough review of projects and programs that helps ensure success for applicants in the long term while incorporating as many efficiencies as possible to reduce the time required to complete an application. We are grateful to hear that this balance has been a positive to your organization and we appreciate this feedback.
Reviewer 9064 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
The Murdock Trust application process can take time, but I encourage you to look at the process as an opportunity to examine your organizational health. The program officers will walk with you along the way!
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust invests in organizations from all perspectives. I appreciate that. We won't change the world if funders aren't willing to participate in building bridges in a time of a divided politic.
N/A
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust practices generosity and hospitality in each interaction. Their vision is about leadership development. They give more than money.
30
We are humbled by your kind remarks on our team and process. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
The MJ Murdock Charitable Trust is committed to enriching the lives of those in the communities where they give.
I’ve worked with Murdock Trust program officers for the better part of 20 years in various grantseeking roles and found that statement to be very true. It has been a privilege and a great learning opportunity to work with the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust.
The Trust is a model foundation that is accessible – its program officers are very responsive and approachable. The Trust is transparent in its practices – they have always been honest in informing us in advance whether a concept will or will not be competitive and offering guidance as to ways to strengthen a request, and they do what they say they will do. I have never experienced any surprises in working with the Trust if I did my due diligence up front. They are very thorough in their grantmaking and take seriously their responsibility to exercise their due diligence. This is something that may seem slow, fastidious, and old school to some, but in the long run is extremely beneficial. If an organization is listening, it can learn a great deal from the Trust’s thoroughness. The Trust is collaborative and innovative – in the past, the Trust has held workshops for grantees where the conversations have been two-way to ensure they know what is on the minds of their grant recipients as they consider new practices. They have shown their innovation by inviting potential grantees to participate in beta-testing new grantmaking concepts. The Trust’s support of its grantees extends beyond the financial resources they make available – they have scholars in residence, take on interns, host conferences and workshops to share information and convene others. Our experiences have been nothing but positive.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
The Trust holds true to its guidelines which are based on a clear vision and thoughtful plan.
The Trust Program Officers are among the most accessible I've ever worked with. Phone calls/emails get returned promptly, questions are always answered and they go the extra mile to add value to the philanthropic community (the relationships are clearly of importance to them in fulfilling their mission).
0
We appreciate your thorough overview of our organization and we are humbled by your kind words here. Thank you for sharing your experience with potential future applicants!
Reviewer 6776 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
The Murdock staff’s on-site visit was invaluable to our team’s ability to submit a grant application that was thoroughly responsive to the demands of the Murdock process. Be prepared for this event.
The grant application requirements are exacting and time-consuming. As it should be. With scores of applications submitted each year requesting thousands of dollars for worthwhile projects, a full factual disclosure of each applicant’s history, mission, financial stability and organizational integrity is critical to the foundation’s decision making. The Murdock application process not only facilitates their internal evaluation, but it also provided us with a clear path to writing an effective, fact-based application.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
It’s been a pleasure working with the Murdock Charitable Trust. From the time we made the decision to submit an LOI to the time of grant decision, the folks at Murdock were with us every step of the way. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and always accessible.
Good
I can only speak to Murdock's commitment to supporting the arts. Based on our application team's experience and the published past grants Murdock has made to the arts, the organization makes a significant contribution to the arts in the Pacific Northwest and in achieving its stated mission.
It would be helpful if the entire application was available as an online PDF file. Currently the only full copy available is the actual interactive screens used to submit the online application.
Be prepared for Murdock's thoroughness. The good new is that, whether or not your Murdock application is successful, DO NOT throw away your application. Because no matter what granting organization you approach in the future, a fully completed Murdock application and supporting materials will contain all the detailed and documented answers you will be required to submit.
The Murdock staff was very approachable and available to answer questions we encountered while completing our grant application. They "get" the obstacles non-profits face everyday and are wiling to become true partners with the organizations they fund.
120
We are so pleased to hear that our program director's site visit was beneficial to your process. We believe strongly in the value of in-person engagement to strengthen the application process.
We appreciate your feedback regarding our application. We recently rolled out a new grants management system designed to make the process more streamlined for all groups involved and we are constantly tweaking our system to create more efficiencies.
