Impor­tant update to appli­ca­tion process

Impor­tant update to appli­ca­tion process

Eligibility Guidelines for Grantseekers

Read our strategic project grant eligibility guidelines below to determine if your organization and project are a potential fit for Trust funding.

Jump to:

To Determine Eligibility for a Strategic Project grant:

  1. Review sections A and B to confirm your organization meets our general eligibility requirements and to identify your focus area. If your organization's work spans multiple areas, we categorize based on where the majority of programming lies.
  2. Read section C to review organizational and project eligibility requirements and priorities.
  3. Locate your focus area in section D to review area-specific eligibility criteria and priorities. 
  4. Please note the "Last Updated" dates for each section.
  5. If eligibility requirements are met, visit our Grant Application Process page for next steps.

A Basic Qualifiers

Location

Your organization is based in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington — or your project has more than 50% impact in this region. Faith-based organizations in British Columbia are also eligible.

Entity Type 

Your organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity, a federally recognized tribal entity, or a qualifying government entity such as a university, community college, or medical center. Learn more here.

Project Type

You are seeking funding for one of the following capacity-building project types: staff & program expansion, capital, or equipment & technology.

B Focus Areas the Trust Funds

Below are the focus areas, sectors, and subsectors that are currently eligible to receive Trust funding. 

Terminology: 

  • Focus area is a Trust term that describes the five broad areas where we make grants (e.g. Civic Engagement & Community Services). 
  • Sector is a category within a focus area (e.g. Community Building).
  • Subsector is a more specific category within a sector, typically aligned with commonly recognized fields (e.g. Food Security).
  • Not currently eligible means it is not eligible for funding.
  • Paused means temporarily on hold while we refine our strategy and conduct further research to determine eligibility.
Artistic & Cultural Expression (ACE) Learn more about the ACE focus area
Learn more about the ACE focus area

Last updated: 5/14/26

Arts Supporting

  • Artist Development (including residency-based organizations)
  • Arts & Culture Centers & Agencies
  • Field Development

Media Arts

  • Community Broadcasting
  • Digital & Film (excluding standalone film festivals)
  • Public Broadcasting

Gardens

  • Arboretums
  • Botanical
  • Heritage

Museums & Cultural Heritage

  • Art Museums
  • Children's Museums
  • History
  • Humanities
  • STEM Museums

Performing Arts

  • Dance
  • Music
  • Performance Centers
  • Theater

Zoos & Aquariums

  • Aquariums & Marine Centers
  • Zoos & Wildlife Centers

Other

  • Literary Arts

Not Currently Eligible:

  • Standalone art festivals, public art, monuments, or nonprofit art galleries
  • Standalone film festivals
Civic Engagement & Community Services (CECS) Learn more about the CECS focus area
Learn more about the CECS focus area

Last updated: 5/14/26

Community Building

  • Community Centers
  • Community Development
  • Community Services
  • Enterprise: Micro & Small
  • Food Security
  • Foster & Kinship Care
  • Housing Security
  • Immigrants & Refugees
  • Incarceration Transition

Faith Formation

  • Camps & Retreat Centers
  • Evangelism & Discipleship
  • International Missions
  • Marketplace Ministries
  • Marriage & Family
  • Seminaries & Bible Colleges
  • Youth & Young Adult

Strengthening Democracy

  • Bridge-Building & Pluralism
  • Promoting Civic Education
  • Protecting Constitutional Rights

Not Currently Eligible:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Disaster Relief
  • Sports & Recreation Facilities

Paused:

  • Youth Development
Education & Leadership Development (ELD) Learn more about the ELD focus area
Learn more about the ELD focus area

Last updated: 5/14/26

Secondary (Middle & High School) Education

  • Middle & High School Education Support Organizations
  • Middle & High School Public Charters
  • Private/Independent Middle & High Schools

Post-Secondary Education

  • Community Colleges
  • Vocational, Trade, and Technical Schools

Higher Education

  • Four-Year Institutions

Resourced Social Sector

  • Community Foundations
  • Leadership Development
  • Generosity Support (invitation only)
  • Philanthropy Support (invitation only)

Not Currently Eligible:

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Programming
Health & Environmental Stewardship (HES) Learn more about the HES focus area
Learn more about the HES focus area

Last updated: 5/14/26

Healthy People

  • Hospitals, Clinics, and Health & Wellness Organizations
  • Physical, Intellectual, & Developmental Disabilities Support Organizations

Healthy Minds

  • Abuse Prevention & Healing (supports individuals impacted by domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking)
  • Mental Health

Healthy Ecosystems

  • Natural Resource & Wildlife Protection
  • Outdoor Engagement

Not Currently Eligible:

  • Animal Shelters or Humane Societies
  • Disease Support
  • Local Green Infrastructure or Energy Organizations without regional impact
  • Local Watershed Councils
  • Regional Hospitals
Scientific Research (SR) Learn more about the SR focus area
Learn more about the SR focus area

Last updated: 5/14/26

Scientific Research Instrumentation

  • Tier 1 Institutions (Large, research-intensive public universities with >$100 million external research funds per year)
  • Tier 2 Institutions (Smaller, less research-intensive public universities with <$100 million external research funds per year)
  • Private, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (Colleges & Universities)
  • Private Biomedical Research Institutes

Initiatives (Except Commercialization and Partners in Science)

  • Private, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (Colleges & Universities)

Initiative - Commercialization

  • Tier 1 - large, research intensive, public universities
  • Private Biomedical Research Institutes

Initiative - Partners in Science

  • Tier 1 Institutions (Large, research-intensive public universities with >$100 million external research funds per year)
  • Tier 2 Institutions (Smaller, less research-intensive public universities with <$100 million external research funds per year)
  • Private, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (Colleges & Universities)

Not Currently Eligible:

  • Community Colleges* 
  • Vocational, Technical & Trade Schools*

*See Education & Leadership Development

Not sure which focus area fits your organization?
Email grants@murdocktrust.org with a brief description of your organization, including a list of your programs/services and what percent each represents of your overall work. A staff member will help clarify your fit.

C Organizational & Project Eligibility

Organizational Eligibility

Last Updated: 5/19/2026

  1. Funding Region: The Trust prioritizes grants to organizations based in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, or projects with greater than 50% impact to this region.
    1. Organizations located in British Columbia are eligible if they are faith-based.
    2. A small number of grants are made for impact beyond this region, by Trust-initiated invite only.
  2. Funding Priorities: The Trust currently prioritizes grants for projects that build capacity in nonprofits that contribute to human flourishing in the Pacific Northwest. Eligible projects reflect the strategic priorities of an organization’s leadership and align with the Trust’s priorities and areas of focus (Artistic & Cultural Expression, Civic Engagement & Community Services, Education & Leadership Development, Health & Environmental Stewardship, and Scientific Research).
  3. Eligible 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. Partnerships and related-party agreements do not take the place of an organization having its own U.S. 501(c)(3) determination.
    • A federally recognized tribal entity
    • A government entity such as a university or a medical center, but please note that only certain governmental entities are eligible under these guidelines. See limitations in Organizational Eligibility Section 5.
    • A faith community (such as a church) with a project that is primarily external facing, serving people beyond its own congregants.
  4. Ineligible Entity Types:
    • Fiscally sponsored organizations
    • Governmental entities that receive a substantial amount of government funding, such as public libraries, public K-12 school districts, public parks and recreation, fire departments, fire districts, and police stations (see Organizational Eligibility Section 5 below).
    • 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
    • Private foundations (non-operating) – learn more here
    • Non-U.S. entities
    • Individuals
    • Senior centers, hospice organizations, and other services for the aging
    • For-profit businesses, corporations, or LLCs
    • Entities with fewer than three complete years of operating and financial history
    • Entities that, in policy or practice, unlawfully discriminate based on race, ethnic origin, sex, creed, or religion
    • Entities that receive a majority of funding and support from commercial gambling revenue (lottery, casino, etc.)
  5. Guidelines Around Government Funding: The Trust prioritizes organizations and projects with demonstrated diversification in their funding profile, as data shows this is a cornerstone of successful, sustainable nonprofits. One consideration within this approach is the level of government funding received by an organization.
    1. The Trust does not generally fund government institutions such as public school districts or libraries. Exceptions to this include select entities, such as universities (scientific research), community colleges, medical centers, historical societies, and tribal government entities.
    2. The Trust does not generally fund capital projects with government sources contributing 70 percent or more of the required funding.
    3. The Trust does not generally fund sustained staff positions receiving more than 50 percent of government funding.
    4. 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)
  6. Board Engagement Expectations:
    1. Organizations must be able to demonstrate significant board engagement, measured by three primary metrics:
      • Time (attendance and engagement at board meetings, volunteering, cultivating donors)
      • Treasure (direct financial support, securing other funding, access to networks, in-kind donations)
      • Talents (wisdom, leadership, experience, or expertise)
    2. 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 Eligibility

Last Updated: 3/26/2026

  1. Strategic 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.
    1. 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%).
      1. Hired staff or programs initiated prior to the Trust site visit are not eligible. Hired staff or programs initiated after a Trust site visit are eligible but Trust funding is not guaranteed.
      2. For organizations located outside the Trust’s region, positions or programs must bring at least 50% project impact to the Northwest.
      3. Requests for added staff capacity are limited to no more than 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE). For full, comprehensive, focused program expansion requests, the Murdock Trust may consider more than 1.0 FTE and a portion of new program costs.
      4. Requests must constitute an addition or increase of permanent, strategic positions with a minimum of 0.5 FTE per position.
      5. The Trust does not generally fund administrative support positions.
      6. The Trust does not fund positions that previously existed within the last five years.
      7. Program and/or staff requests may include new startup technology costs.
      8. 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.
      9. Guidelines for Fundraising Positions:
        1. The Trust will only fund an organization's first fundraising position, including expanding an existing part-time role to full-time.
        2. 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 ROI will be analyzed based on the size and context of the organization. Example: Y1 Development Director Cost = $80,000 / Y4 ROI revenue = $160,000 or more.
        3. The organization’s leadership must be currently implementing an organized development effort.
        4. Board giving should reflect a spirit of philanthropy in the organization.
        5. Organizational leadership should reflect engagement in fund development.
    2. Capital Grants: Supports construction, renovation, land or property purchase, leasehold improvements, and other capital upgrades.
      1. Eligible Capital Costs:
        • Hard Costs: Construction labor and materials, site upgrades, landscaping, utility or system installation, and FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment)
        • Soft Costs: Architectural or engineering services, site analysis, permitting, taxes, or external project management (existing staff time ineligible)
        • Property Acquisition: The property to purchase must be identified by the time of application and the closing date for purchase must occur after a grant has been awarded.
      2. Ineligible Capital Costs:
        • Long-term debt repayment or debt retirement
        • Routine maintenance of short-life items or deferred capital replacements which do not significantly transform programs, operations, or capacity
        • Projects funded with more than 70 percent from government funding
        • Direct fundraising expenses, feasibility studies, or costs for existing staff time
        • Standalone playgrounds (requests to fund playgrounds as part of a larger capital project are eligible)
      3. The Trust prioritizes projects in which the organization has raised at least 40 percent of the total capital cost prior to Trustee decision and has a viable plan to complete project funding.
      4. Capital projects completed prior to Trust site visit are not eligible. Capital projects initiated after a Trust site visit are eligible but funding is not guaranteed.
      5. The Trust expects a diversified funding plan with a demonstration of community support.
      6. If the operating facility is government-owned, the Trust prioritizes equipment and technology grant requests over capital grant requests.
      7. The Trust requires a minimum 10-year lease agreement for tenant leasehold improvement projects.
    3. Equipment and Technology Grants: Only grants for equipment or technology new to the organization will be considered. Grantees must be responsible for 50 percent or more of the purchase cost.
      1. The Trust does not fund routine or deferred maintenance not part of a major facility renovation, facility expansion, or new facility purchase.
      2. Physical equipment should have a life expectancy of 10 or more years. Equipment with shorter life expectancy should include an equipment replacement plan.
      3. Equipment or technology may be ordered with a deposit prior to Trustee decision. Fully purchased equipment or technology will not be reimbursed.
      4. Requests may include costs for consultant training for equipment or technology.
      5. Requests may include up to one year of maintenance costs.
      6. Technology requests should include replacement and maintenance plans.
  2. Ineligible Funding Requests (for all types):
    • Standard or ongoing operational costs, including existing staff time
    • Existing projects that have been financed from external sources
    • Debt 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 percent or more of commercial gaming revenue (lottery, casino, etc.)
    • Endowments or revolving funds that function as such
    • Urgent needs, emergency funding, or gap funding
  3. Submission Frequency:
    1. If you have received a Strategic Project grant, you are eligible to submit a new LOI three years from the "Grant Awarded" date on your grant agreement. This is the date that determines your eligibility, not the date your funds were distributed, which may be different. To find your first eligible LOI period, identify the calendar month of your three-year anniversary. An LOI period with a closing date in that same month is open to you, even if your exact anniversary falls later in the month. Example: If your grant was awarded August 25, 2024, your three-year anniversary is August 25, 2027. You would be eligible to submit during an LOI period running July 1 - August 3, 2027 because its closing date falls in August 2027, the same month as your anniversary, even though the period closes before your anniversary date. 
    2. If you submitted an LOI and it was not invited to a full application, you may submit a new LOI in the next open submission window (note that the same LOI cannot be resubmitted and we encourage you to strongly align any new LOIs with our funding priorities).
    3. If your LOI was invited to submit a full application and the application was not awarded a grant, you may submit a new LOI for a different project one year after the application was declined.
  4. Grant Sizes:
    1. The Trust only awards grants for projects with a minimum total project budget of $200,000.
    2. The minimum grant request amount is $100,000.
  5. Collaborative Projects & Shared Services:
    1. The Trust considers inquiries about strategic collaborative efforts. If your organization is working on or considering a collaborative initiative (such as multiple organizations coming together to address a shared challenge, a collective impact model, or another form of strategic partnership), please reach out to grants@murdocktrust.org for a conversation about the details of the proposed project before submitting your LOI.
    2. The Trust considers inquiries for projects with outcomes that support multiple organizations in utilizing or creating shared services (such as shared HR, finance, IT infrastructure, or other administrative functions). If your organization is developing shared services initiatives with other organizations or shared infrastructure that could strengthen multiple organizations, please reach out to grants@murdocktrust.org for a conversation about the details of the proposed project before submitting your LOI.
    3. The lead applicant for a collaborative project must be an eligible entity type.
    4. Submission frequency guidelines do not apply to collaborative projects (for both lead applicants and collaborators).
    5. Collaborative projects will be prioritized based on scope of impact.
    6. Please be prepared for the pre-LOI conversation with the following information:
      • What collaboration is being proposed – who are the entities and what is the project?
      • What are the anticipated impact/outcomes of the collaboration?
      • What is the potential cost/budget? 

D Funding Guidelines and Priorities by Focus Area

Artistic & Cultural Expression

Last Updated: 2/27/2026

  1. All staff or program expansion requests are limited to one position only.
  2. The Trust prioritizes funding for organizations with year-round, multi-faceted programming that engages varied audiences and demonstrates artistic, cultural, and educational impacts. Proposed projects should be consistent with the organization's demonstrated program expertise.
  3. The Trust prioritizes projects that focus on one of the following outcomes:
    • Creativity in Service to Community: Projects that lead to community-building, education, innovation, and an open exchange of ideas and beliefs, where arts and culture create a space for connection
    • Increasing Expertise: Projects that focus on educating the next generation of artists, performers, culture-bearers, and leaders, or create career opportunities in the field
    • Connecting with Audience: Projects that focus on innovative approaches to deepen relationships and expand audiences while adapting to emerging audience trends
  4. Capital projects must be intentionally designed to increase capacity toward Artistic & Cultural Expression outcomes listed above.
  5. Requirement for Smaller Organizations: Arts and culture nonprofits with annual operating budgets of $200,000 or less must complete a pre-LOI call with Artistic & Cultural Expression staff as a prerequisite to LOI submission. Organizations submitting LOIs without completing this required step will be declined. Please email grants@murdocktrust.org to schedule this conversation.
  6. Arts Education: The Trust prioritizes community-based arts education programming, outside of school hours, that leads to the acquisition of artistic skills.
  7. Exhibits:
    1. The Trust prioritizes permanent exhibits with an expected lifespan of 10 years or more.
    2. The Trust does not fund temporary exhibits.
    3. Eligible entities within the Trust’s funding region may request funding for traveling exhibits with demonstrated broad reach. The Trust rarely funds traveling exhibits outside the Trust funding region; to be eligible, this request must include partnership with an eligible entity in the Trust funding region and demonstrated broad reach.
    4. Exhibits must demonstrate current curatorial standards in the field: knowledgeable interpretation, high-quality production, strong educational programming, and broad reach. 
  8. Museums, Historical Societies, and Heritage Organizations:
    • The Trust prioritizes funding for collections that are unique and well-managed, with exhibits curated by knowledgeable professionals.
    • 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.
  9. Historic Preservation: The Trust does not fund requests that solely focus on historic preservation without any ongoing outreach or education.
  10. Literary Arts: The Trust does not fund requests for the support of projects by individual writers or publications.
  11. Media (Public & Community Broadcasting):
    1. The Trust does not fund requests to support individual projects from media artists or fiscal sponsorships of individual media artists.
    2. Support for broadcast or film projects from media nonprofits is rare and must demonstrate broad educational and audience reach, as well as alignment with Trust values and regional focus.
    3. Requests are limited to equipment or technology projects only.
  12. Performing Arts: The Trust does not fund projects by individual artists or regular production seasons.
  13. Ineligible Entity Types within Artistic & Cultural Expression:
    • Standalone Film Festivals
    • Visual Arts Festivals & Galleries
    • Standalone Public Art Installations & Monuments 
Civic Engagement & Community Services

Last Updated: 2/27/2026

  1. Community Building:
    1. The Trust prioritizes organizations and projects that (a) demonstrate a clear path to transformation or stability for individuals and families and (b) focus on upstream solutions toward community vitality.
    2. Nonprofits with multi-site, regional or state-wide reach are eligible (e.g., nonprofit collaborations and collaboratives, intermediary organizations, multi-site organizations, affiliate associations).  
    3. Housing Security: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing that includes individualized wraparound services are eligible. Projects that create or support affordable housing are not eligible.
    4. Food Security: (a) Upstream food systems development or (b) individualized wraparound services that include access to food are eligible.
    5. Youth Clubs & Camps: Enrichment outside of the school day within a positive youth development framework or similar holistic approach toward (a) character development and (b) reducing social isolation are eligible. Note that funding for this subsector is currently on pause. We will have an update on eligibility guidelines and strategy before the July 2026 submission period.
    6. Enterprise (Micro and Small): Services to entrepreneurs and small businesses toward community wealth-building are eligible.
    7. Asset-Based Community Development: Projects that demonstrably increase community connections and reduce social isolation are eligible. Disaster relief projects and sports facilities are ineligible.
    8. Other: Individualized wraparound services to refugees/immigrants, children in foster care, and the formerly incarcerated are eligible.
    9. Section 501(c)(3) organizations affiliated with 501(c)(6) organizations (business leagues, chambers, and trade associations) are ineligible within this area of Trust funding.  
  2. Strengthening Democracy: The Trust prioritizes projects that (a) build bridges to solve intractable problems, (b) protect constitutional rights, and (c) promote civic education.
  3. Faith Formation:  
    1. The Trust considers projects that generate human flourishing through the love of God and love of neighbor, supporting the common good in community life and the public square.  
    2. The Trust prioritizes projects that impact emerging leaders (ages 13-26), faith leaders in the public square, and under-reached or under-resourced populations. 
Education & Leadership Development

Last Updated: 2/27/2026

  1. Education:
    1. Early Childhood Education – Note that funding for early learning projects or programs is currently on a two-year pause.
    2. Secondary Schools and Secondary Education Support (Middle and High School Projects and Outcomes) – Note that funding for elementary projects or programs is currently on a two-year pause.
      1. The Trust considers private/independent schools, private/public charter schools, and nonprofits/community-based organizations that offer in-school or after-school programming for middle and/or high school students that supplement (not replace) the work of education staff.
      2. Only projects that align with the following outcomes are eligible:
        1. Projects that promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math)
        2. Projects that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship
        3. Projects that develop durable (21st century) skills, future of work, and/or career-connected learning
        4. Projects that support successful student transitions (from middle to high school and high school to post-secondary)
        5. The Trust prioritizes requests including cross-sector collaborations and partnerships.
      3. The Trust does not typically fund requests for classroom teaching staff and professional development costs.
      4. The Trust does not fund capital deferred maintenance.
      5. Enrollment minimum requirements by state: Oregon and Washington, 200 or more; Alaska, Idaho, or Montana, 150 or more.
      6. Tuition Assistance: To align with the Trust’s value for access, the Trust prioritizes requests from organizations with more than 20 percent in annual tuition budget for needs-based tuition assistance or scholarships.
      7. Board Composition: In addition to parents, grandparents, or guardians of current students, the Trust prioritizes requests from organizations with 25 percent or more of board members from other interest-holder groups (e.g. alumni who do not currently have children enrolled).
      8. Private Schools: Schools associated with churches or places of worship must demonstrate that at least 30 percent of their student population comes from outside a single church, even if they share the same faith or denomination. 
      9. To be eligible, schools must hold accreditation from a recognized accrediting body. Given the diversity of educational institutions, including faith-based schools, the Trust accepts accreditation from regional, national, or specialized agencies that ensure rigorous standards of academic quality, governance, and accountability.
    3. Community Colleges, Vocational, Trade, and Technical Schools:
      1. 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 completion.
      2. The Trust prioritizes requests demonstrating cross-sector collaborations and partnerships.
      3. Each community college, which includes all associated satellite campuses, is eligible to submit one project for funding every three years.
      4. A minimum of 100 students enrolled (total) is required.
      5. Only projects that align with the following outcomes are eligible:
        1. Projects that support outcomes for rural, Native/Indigenous, and first-generation college students
        2. Projects that support student transitions (e.g., from high school to post-secondary and from post-secondary to career or university)
        3. 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.)
    4. Four Year Institutions (Higher Education): The Trust welcomes institutions to submit projects that bolster outcomes outlined in one of our five focus areas: Artistic & Cultural Expression (ACE), Education & Leadership Development (ELD), Civic Engagement & Community Services (CECS), Health & Environmental Stewardship (HES), and Scientific Research (SR) (for Scientific Research equipment/instrumentation grants, see SR Guideline 1.1).  
      1. Projects and related projects should articulate:
        1. The Trust focus area it aligns to (ACE, ELD, HES, CECS, SR)
        2. How it will further/bolster outcomes defined in the aligned focus area
      2. Projects that address the future of higher education will be prioritized.
      3. Requests should also demonstrate support from department and university leadership.
      4. Submissions are limited to one non-SR request per year per university.
      5. If awarded, each institution, which includes all associated satellite campuses, is eligible to submit one project for funding every three years.
  2. Resourced Social Sector
    1. Community Foundations:
      1. The Trust does not fund requests for scholarships.
      2. The Trust prioritizes requests for funding new staff.
    2. Leadership Development Organizations: 
      1. The Trust prioritizes grants to organizations that strengthen technical competencies through skill-building, collaborative decision-making, and fostering alignment and partnerships among leaders. Priority is given to initiatives that cultivate cross-sector relationships and collaborations through a cohort framework.
      2. The Trust considers projects focused on program or staff expansion.
    3. Generosity Support: By invitation only.
    4. Philanthropy Support: By invitation only. 
Health & Environmental Stewardship

Last Updated: 3/13/2026

  1. Healthcare:
    1. The Trust funds capital projects and revenue-generating equipment (e.g. emergency rooms, surgical suites, diagnostic and therapeutic equipment) for the following organizations:
      1. Hospitals: The Trust only funds hospitals with fewer than 100 beds and does not fund large metropolitan hospitals.
        1. For hospitals with fewer than 25 beds, only equipment/technology and capital requests are eligible.
        2. For hospitals with 26-100 beds, only capital requests are eligible.
      2. Community Health Centers and Clinics:
        1. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are eligible for equipment/technology and capital requests only.
        2. Rural Health Centers are eligible for equipment/technology and capital requests only.
        3. Free Clinics are eligible for all Strategic Project types.
      3. Other Eligible Organizations: Community-based organizations that advance public health, preventive care, and/or wellness programming are eligible for all Strategic Project types.
  2. Mental Health:
    1. The Trust prioritizes mental health organizations with:
    • models grounded in current knowledge of best practices
    • wrap-around or upstream services
    • expected accreditation and certifications appropriate for services.
  3. Only organizations and/or projects that focus on mental health and well-being for children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) are currently eligible.
  4. Abuse Prevention & Healing: Organizations that support individuals impacted by domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking are eligible.
  5. Support for People with Disabilities: Organizations that provide support for people with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities are eligible for all Strategic Project types.
  6. Equine Therapy: Organizations that use equine therapy to support individuals with disabilities or use equine therapy to support mental health for youth are eligible.  
    1. The Trust only funds organizations with accreditation and certification appropriate for their services.
  7. Environmental Stewardship: Only staff/program expansion or equipment/technology requests are eligible. Capital projects are ineligible.
    1. Natural Resource & Wildlife Protection: The Trust prioritizes organizations with a regional reach that encourage stewardship and working lands approach.
    2. Land Trusts:
      1. The Trust prioritizes land trusts that are accredited and pursuing projects with regional reach, organizations with multiple areas of expertise, and organizations capable of complex transactions.
      2. The Trust does not fund conservation easement purchases or land acquisition requests.
    3. Outdoor Engagement: Only organizations and/or projects that focus on programming for children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) are currently eligible.
      1. Trail Organizations: The Trust prioritizes trail groups with regional impact and multiple partnerships.
  8. Ineligible Entity Types within Health & Environmental Stewardship:
    • Local watershed councils
    • Local green infrastructure or energy organizations without regional impact
    • Humane societies or animal shelters
    • Disease support organizations 
Scientific Research

Last Updated: 2/27/2026

  1. Scientific Research Instrumentation Grants:
    1. Private Undergraduate Institutions, Tier 1 & Tier 2 Public Universities, Biomedical Research Institutions: All eligible institutions may apply once per year for research instrumentation funding.
    2. Scientific Research Projects and Scientific Research Initiatives application resources and guidelines can be found on the Scientific Research webpage.
  2. Higher Education Strategic Project Grants:
    1. Private Undergraduate Institutions, Tier 1 & Tier 2 Public Universities: All requests for capital, equipment & technology (other than Scientific Research Instrumentation – see Scientific Research Guideline 1.1), and program expansion Letter of Inquiries are now considered through the focus area appropriate to their project (see more details at Education & Leadership Development Guideline 1.4).  
    2. Biomedical Research Institutes are not eligible for Strategic Project grants.

If you have any outstanding questions after reviewing the eligibility guidelines, please contact Grants@murdocktrust.org.