Welcome to the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Grants Portal!
Communities need nonprofits to thrive. We believe in transformational ideas that help individuals, families, and communities flourish. Since 1975, the Murdock Trust has invested more than $1.4 billion into nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to thinking bigger, challenging problems, and making a true difference.
Helpful Resources
- The Trust’s previously awarded grants are the best indicator of projects we are likely to pursue in the future. You can read through the Grantee Stories and survey the Grants Awarded database to find similar projects.
- Learn about navigating through the grants portal.
- You will need to create a free Submittable account before completing your first form.
- When you select an organization to apply on behalf of, you will enter either an EIN or a UEI. If you have an EIN, please use the EIN. Only use a UEI if you do not have an EIN.
- You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form later.
- If you are having technical issues completing your form, check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
- To ensure you receive our communications, please safelist emails from Submittable.
- If anything changes with the information you submitted, you may request to edit the submission.
- We are here to help! You are welcome to reach out to ensure eligibility or to ask any questions: grants@murdocktrust.org.
Learn more about and apply to our open grant opportunities below.
Important update as of November 5, 2024
Please be advised: Due to a significant influx in grant applications in recent weeks, processing time has extended from the 4–6-month average to a 10+ month timeframe. It is always our goal to respond to grant inquiries as quickly as possible, and Trust staff are working diligently to process these applications as quickly as possible.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH APPLICATION PROCESS
Before starting the eligibility form below, please review the Scientific Research Application Instructions and Checklist. These are the steps in the Trust’s Scientific Research grants application process:
1. Letter of Inquiry (Initial Form)
The LOI provides an overview of your proposed research project to help the Trust determine whether your organization and project are consistent with Trust practices and priorities. LOI review typically takes 2-3 weeks. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application.
2. Application (Additional Form)
If invited to submit an application, carefully review the Instructions.
Once you have completed the application, review, edit, and double-check the figures one last time. When you are satisfied with your completed application, click the Submit Form button.
Learn more about the life cycle of a grant here.
If you need clarification on these instructions or have other questions, please email grants@murdocktrust.org.
STRATEGIC PROJECTS APPLICATION PROCESS
Before starting the eligibility form below, please review the guidelines and resources for each step and check out our Application Process Map that outlines each step of the application process.
These are the steps in the Trust’s Strategic Projects grants application process:
1. Eligibility
Review the Eligibility Guidelines. If you believe you are eligible, complete the short eligibility form to verify that your organization and project are within Trust guidelines. You are welcome to redo the eligibility form if you are applying for a different project or if your entity has become more aligned with the Trust’s requirements.
2. Letter of Inquiry (Initial Form)
Upon successful eligibility verification, review the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Instructions to prepare your LOI. The LOI provides an overview of your proposed project to help the Trust determine whether your organization and project are consistent with Trust practices and priorities. LOI review typically takes 2-3 weeks. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application.
3. Strategic Project Application (Additional Form)
If invited to submit an application, carefully review the Application Instructions for Strategic Projects. Browse our Nonprofit Resources page for Grant Writing Tips.
Once you have completed the application, review, edit, and double-check the figures one last time. When you are satisfied with your completed application, click the Submit Form button.
Learn more about the life cycle of a grant here.
If you need clarification on these instructions or have other questions, please email grants@murdocktrust.org.