M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

08/31/2026

"What we pay attention to shapes what we're capable of seeing."

Romanita Hairston's August CEO Update draws on a recent talk to scientists and theologians at the American Scientific Affiliation Annual Meeting, people who've spent their lives learning to look closely and stay with what's hard to understand.

Their discipline has something to teach the social sector: slow down long enough to really see a landscape, and the right solutions are more likely to follow.

Read the full update at https://bit.ly/4y38Mk4.

08/27/2026

For Idaho Nonprofit Center and Idaho Community Foundation (ICF), merging was an opportunity to increase impact and better serve Idaho nonprofits.

As more nonprofits weigh consolidation in a challenging funding environment, we wanted to understand what helps these mergers succeed. Murdock Trust Senior Fellow Cary Paine spoke with the leaders behind ICF's 2024 merger to surface lessons any nonprofit considering the same path can learn from.

Read the full story and see what worked for ICF: https://bit.ly/4zHFR70

08/25/2026

Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands are building careers in STEM with AISES, a national nonprofit focused on increasing Indigenous representation in science, technology, engineering, and math.

A recent Murdock Trust grant for new program staff supports AISES' work to expand pathways into STEM for the next generation of Indigenous people.

Explore more in our Winter & Spring 2026 grants report: https://bit.ly/4yyCVJk

08/20/2026

After 3 years as Director of Information Technology, Michelle Charbonneau is pursuing a new opportunity in the IT space.

Michelle joined the Murdock Trust with more than 20 years of experience in IT leadership. Her technical skills, creative vision, and hands-on leadership transformed technology and security at the organization. In addition to managing key technology projects and strengthening our systems, Michelle also equipped staff with essential security knowledge and cared deeply about training.

Michelle's work has advanced our mission, and we will deeply miss working alongside her. Please join us in wishing her all the best in this next chapter.

08/19/2026

The Murdock Trust sends support to all those affected by the fires impacting the Spokane area. We are grateful to the firefighters, first responders, organizations, and neighbors across Spokane whose resilience and generosity are carrying the community through this disaster.

We are also honored to support Innovia Foundation’s Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund. The Spokane community faces a long road to recovery, and the Fund works directly with local partners to direct resources toward both immediate relief and long-term rebuilding.

Note on the Trust's emergency response: Capacity building remains central to our grantmaking approach, but some moments call for a different kind of support. Questions about our approach to emergency relief are addressed on our FAQ page: https://murdocktrust.org/faq

In response to the devastating wildfires currently affecting our community, Innovia Foundation has opened the Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund.

100% of donations will support nonprofit organizations working to meet the needs of those impacted by the fires. Innovia will work closely with community partners to get funding where it is most needed for both immediate and long-term needs.

"Our community is facing an incredibly difficult moment right now, with hundreds of families losing their homes and businesses to these fires," shares Innovia's CEO Shelly O'Quinn. "The Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund exists so we can move resources quickly to the nonprofits and organizations already on the ground helping people. We know from experience that recovery doesn't end when the fires are out — it takes sustained support over the months and even years ahead, and Innovia is committed to walking alongside our region for the long term."

🔗Give now at goinnovia.org/spokane-complex-wildfire

A huge thank you to our generous partners for their support of the fund, including our founding funders STCU's Here for Good Foundation and Washington Trust Bank and our community partners Greater Spokane Incorporated, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, KHQ Local News, and Rotary District 5080.

08/17/2026

Every August, we celebrate the life and legacy of our benefactor, Jack Murdock. This year Jack would have turned 109 on August 15.

Jack was an innovator and entrepreneur who co-founded Tektronix, which grew into one of the largest employers in Oregon and was an integral part of what's now known as the Silicon Forest.

Beyond his professional impact, those who knew him remember a generous, humble, and thoughtful person. His decision to leave his life's earnings to a charitable trust was consistent with who he was.

More than 50 years later, his personal and professional legacy continues to inform our vision and how we partner with nonprofits across the region today.

Learn more about Jack's life: https://murdocktrust.org/50/timeline

Photos:
1. Jack enjoying the outdoors
2. Jack and Tektronix co-founder Howard Vollum standing next to an oscilloscope
3. Jack and friends
4. Jack with his camera, one of his many hobbies

08/13/2026

Performing arts opportunities are expanding in the Boise metro region with Boise Contemporary Theater, a company dedicated to bold, contemporary storytelling on stage.

A recent Murdock Trust grant supporting facility renovations will contribute to increased capacity to serve audiences and artists alike.

Explore more in our Winter & Spring 2026 grants report: https://bit.ly/4yyCVJk

08/11/2026

Nonprofit partnership can take many shapes. Recently for the Trust, it looked like two days of in-person collaboration with executive directors from five Pacific Northwest nonprofit associations.

We're grateful for the expertise, resources, and collaboration these associations bring, and for their shared commitment to nonprofits and the communities they serve.

Thank you to Laurie Wolf of The Foraker Group, Kevin Bailey of Idaho Community Foundation, Adam Jespersen of Montana Nonprofit Association, Jim White of Nonprofit Association of Oregon, and Neal Mizushima of Nonprofit Association of Washington.

08/06/2026

Ceramics is a specialized field, and dedicated spaces for ceramic artists are rare. Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana, has been filling that gap for 75 years.

Since 1951, more than 600 ceramic artists from around the world have come to the Bray to work. Today, the organization offers more than 30 residency opportunities each year, spanning long-term, summer, and short-term programs, giving artists the studio space, equipment, and community that this craft demands.

Our recent grant story explores what makes the Bray's model work, and why staying true to a ceramics-specific mission has been the key to its lasting impact.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4xVtsLQ

08/05/2026

Last week, science teachers from across the Pacific Northwest gathered in Vancouver, Washington for the Partners in Science (P*S) Teaching Practices Conference.

First year partners worked through the inquiry cycle together, from structured investigation to designing and defending their own open investigations. Second year partners joined midweek to participate in model lessons and share their research progress with the group.

We are proud to continue supporting scientific discovery and the important work of science teachers across our region through P*S. Thank you to all the engaged participants and coaches!

Photo 1: DNA sequencing model lesson.
Photo 2: P*S participants modeling how to "Present and Defend" their open investigation.
Photo 3: Plate Tectonic model lesson.
Photo 4: Session on how to translate scientific research experience into something usable and effective in their classroom.
Photo 5: P*S participants debriefing what they learned during the conference and checking in on their research projects with their coach.