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.
Important Strategic Project grant application timeline updates
Through the end of 2025: Due to a significant increase in grant applications, processing times have extended from our typical 4-6 months to 8-10 months from Letter of Inquiry (LOI) approval to final grant decision. Trust staff are working diligently to process applications as quickly as possible and are also implementing some adjustments to the LOI review and application processes to adapt to and manage significantly increased demand.
Current Processing Schedule in 2025
- Strategic Project LOIs received through May 30, 2025 will receive formal decisions by July 31, 2025
- Organizations that do not meet eligibility guidelines will receive declination notices as soon as possible
- Eligible organizations and projects will undergo additional review by Trust staff and receive decisions on the LOIs by July 31, 2025
- Submit Full Proposal (for those with approved LOIs): August 1 to October 1, 2025
- Receive grant decision: April 2026 Grants Meeting
Next LOI Period
The next Strategic Project LOI submission period opens October 1, 2025, and closes December 26, 2025
- LOIs received during this period will receive formal decisions by January 31, 2026
- Organizations that do not meet eligibility guidelines will receive declination notices as soon as possible
- Eligible organizations and projects will undergo additional review by Trust staff and receive decisions on the LOIs by January 31, 2026
- Submit full proposal (for those with approved LOIs): February 1 to April 1, 2026
- Receive grant decision: August 2026 Grants Meeting
Starting in 2026: a New Three-Period Annual Cycle
Beginning in 2026, we will implement three LOI submission periods each year:
Period 1 (February – April)
- Submit LOI: February 1 – April 30
- Receive LOI decision: May 31
- Submit full proposal (if approved): June 1 - August 1
- Receive grant decision: December 2026 grants meeting
Period 2 (June – August)
- Submit LOI: June 1 – August 31
- Receive LOI decision: September 30
- Submit full proposal (if approved): October 1 – December 1
- Receive grant decision: April 2027 grants meeting
Period 3 (October – December)
- Submit LOI: October 1 – December 31
- Receive LOI decision: January 31
- Submit full proposal (if approved): February 1 – April 1
- Receive grant decision: August 2027 grants meeting
Planning Timeline for Organizations
Overall Timeline: 7-10 months from LOI submission to final grant decision; duration depends on how quickly application is completed and required materials submitted
Application Phase Timeline: 4-6 months from full application submission to final grant decision
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.
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. Organizations that do not meet eligibility guidelines will receive declination notice as soon as possible. Due to a significant influx in grant applications recently, processing time for LOIs that are eligible for consideration has extended. These LOIs will undergo additional review and prioritization. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application.
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.