Murdock Trust announces grant awards

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust recently announced a collection of grants awarded at the foundation’s winter board meeting. The nonprofit organization approved 96 capacity building grants totaling $14.8 million.

The Murdock Trust is a private, nonprofit foundation serving the Pacific Northwest. Grantees represent five primary sectors – arts and culture, scientific research, education, healthcare and human services.

In 2019, the Murdock Trust announced it had awarded more than $1 billion in cumulative grants. The organization is also awarding emergency grants to nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Murdock Trust provides emergency COVID-19 support to PNW nonprofits

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has announced an emergency support grants program to provide funding and other resources to nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 22, the Murdock Trust had awarded approximately $14.7 million in grants to nonprofits in various sectors, including medical care and research and emergency food services.

The nonprofit foundation based in Vancouver, WA, serves a five state region, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. In addition to emergency grants, the Murdock Trust has provided free online resources for nonprofits as well as coaching consultations.

Ongoing updates regarding the Murdock Trust’s COVID-19 Emergency Support Grants Program can be found on the foundation’s website – murdocktrust.org/covid19.

Murdock Trust Program Director Retires after 20 Years of Service

Over the course of nearly 45 years, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has supported more than 3,000 organizations to fulfill its mission of enriching the quality of life in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Recently, the Murdock Trust’s accomplished program director, Jan Kennedy Ferguson, retired after 20 meaningful years of service.

A great asset to the Trust, Ms. Ferguson used her experience, dedication, and talents to help people across the Pacific Northwest. She served exclusively in one role for 20 years and succeeded in distributing $105,683,674 across 601 grants. This amount represents approximately 10 percent of the Murdock Trust’s total funding since it was founded.

Ms. Ferguson guided various organizations through the grant application process and beyond so they could successfully execute their projects in the areas of arts, education, human services, and rural health. The organizations that benefited from Ms. Ferguson’s direction include the Portland Art Museum, Ruby Valley Hospital, and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

The Murdock Trust Helps Build STEM Education and Research Building

For nearly 45 years, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has served individuals, families, and communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, by offering grant awards to enrichment programs. One of the Murdock Trust's grant recipients is Saint Martin’s University, which received $800,000.

According to the 2017 STEM Education Report Card published by the Washington State STEM Education Innovation Alliance, the state is experiencing growth in STEM-related jobs, but has continuously ranked low in producing graduates with STEM degrees. As a result, employers are forced to hire from out-of-state talent. The construction of a new and well-equipped science building will be instrumental in Saint Martin’s University’s efforts of meeting the nation’s demands for STEM graduates and boosting Washington’s economy. 

With the Murdock Trust’s grant, the university aims to build a 30,000-square foot science classroom and laboratory building that will be used by students, researchers, and faculty members for conducting classes and STEM research. The new building will be located near the Panowicz Foundry for Innovation and the E.L. Wiegand Laboratories where the current lectures and research on engineering and computer science are held. The new science building is expected to open in the fall of 2019, and will be the main hub for student-faculty research and collaboration.

The Murdock Trust Thanks Jan Kennedy Ferguson for 20 Years of Service

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has awarded more than $975 million to support educational, cultural, and social initiatives that focus on enriching the lives of the people in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The people behind the Murdock Trust share the organization’s goals of helping others live a full and meaningful life.

As the Murdock Trust draws close to its 44th anniversary, the organization also wishes to celebrate the outstanding dedication and leadership of Jan Kennedy Ferguson as she steps down from her role as program director. 

Ferguson has been a tremendous leader and a role model to her staff and colleagues. During her tenure, Ferguson spearheaded the allocation of $105,683,673 to over 600 grants in the region. For 20 years, Ferguson worked closely with other nonprofits, public and private organizations, health care agencies, and schools, such as the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Thrive, RiverStone Health Foundation, Portland Art Museum, Union Gospel Mission, World Forestry Center, and many more. 

Ferguson’s extensive knowledge and her genuine interest in helping people will be truly missed.

The Murdock Trust Supports Camp Renovations in British Columbia

Established in 1975, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust focuses on enriching and expanding communities across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska. One of the entities that the Murdock Trust has supported through a grant is Young Life’s Malibu Club, which serves the needs of Princess Louisa Inlet, British Columbia, campers.

Originally constructed as a 1940s resort that attracted elite Hollywood guests, the Malibu Club was acquired by Young Life in 1954 and converted into a camp facility. With the locale accessible only by float plane and boat, Malibu provides a caring and accepting environment for teens as they take part in activities such as sailing, cycling, and horseback riding.

One of the buildings initially constructed at the Malibu Club, the Nootka dorm required extensive renovation to bring it up to code and make it suitable for campers. The Murdock Trust was proud to assist financially in improving the experience of youth as they explored the outdoors.

Murdock Trust Grant Helps Modernize Oregon Symphony’s Ticketing System

Since its establishment in 1975, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has significantly improved the lives of those living in the Pacific Northwest. The Murdock Trust is committed to the continuous support of community programs that promote idea-sharing and purposeful stewardship among the region’s inhabitants.

One of the earliest recipients of the Murdock Trust’s grants in 1976, the Oregon Symphony used its first grant award to help its orchestra tour several schools in the Portland metropolitan area and perform in front of approximately 42,000 students. Since then, the Oregon Symphony’s popularity has increased, necessitating assistance with the modernization of its website and ticketing system.

The Murdock Trust has answered this call with a more recent grant that will support the Oregon Symphony’s efforts to enhance its website and implement a digital ticketing system that will enable viewers to browse the schedule of events, plan their visits, and purchase tickets conveniently. This high-tech initiative will also help Symphony personnel to save time and focus their energy on practicing their repertoire and bringing their music and creativity to local schools and organizations.