M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

10/13/2026

At its core, Vision + Call helps young adults discover their vocational direction through hands-on experience, alongside mentors and peers. Interns are invested in over many months, and the mentors who guide them gain resources, skills, and connections along the way.

That's exactly what happened earlier this month, when 30 advisors and mentors gathered to connect and upskill with Dr. Tanita Maddox, author of What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God. She led sessions on developing soft skills in interns, supporting interns as they process anxiety and trauma in the workplace, and fostering intergenerational relationships at work.

We're grateful for the participants in the program and all those investing in the next generation of leaders.

10/07/2026

Across our five-state footprint and all areas of work, external advisors contribute to the Trust by providing decades-long expertise, wisdom, and perspective. We’re excited to welcome three new Senior Fellows who will provide strategic support and guidance across scientific research, programs and policies, and higher education.

Please join us in giving Dr. Leah Chase, Professor of Biology and Chemistry at Hope College; Mary Louise McClintock, Former Senior Education Strategy and Policy Advisor at Oregon Community Foundation; and Dr. Scott Fletcher, Former Dean of Graduate School of Education and Counseling at Lewis & Clark a warm welcome!

Read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/3TOKmwq

10/02/2026

After eight years with M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, our Chief Financial Officer Mike True is transitioning to a new chapter in his professional journey.

During his time here, Mike helped guide the Trust's financial stewardship in service of our mission across the Pacific Northwest. We're grateful for his contributions to our work and his service to our grantees and partners.

Please join us as we wish him well on what’s ahead!

09/30/2026

Montana Nonprofit Association's (MNA) annual conference was three powerful days of insightful learning and genuine relationship-building. This year's theme of changemaking, big and small, felt especially fitting given the moment nonprofits are navigating.

From the keynote on authenticity in leadership to a range of incredibly helpful sessions and opportunities to engage directly with experts and consultants, we're grateful to MNA's team for putting together such a thoughtful gathering.

Thank you to the speakers who brought new perspectives, and to every attendee committed to the social sector and the state of Montana!

09/29/2026

What does it take to align national funding with local voices and vision? That's the question at the heart of the Nudlaghi Leadership Institute's Alaska Philanthropy Tour.

Our Vice President of Scientific Research, Aaron Putzke, joined this year's cohort, meeting with tribal leaders, innovators, and elders across Alaska. His takeaways: the depth of collaboration, open questions about how grantmaking can support and sustain culture, and what meaningful workforce development looks like in these communities.

As Aaron put it: “How do we listen to that? How do we hear what they need and what's most helpful for them when it comes to solutions?”

Hear more from Aaron, alongside Kristen Mack of the MacArthur Foundation and Khan Nedd of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, on their learnings and experience in an in-studio conversation at KNBA 90.3 FM.

Listen to the full conversation: https://www.knba.org/our-community/2026-09-10/oc-nudlaghi-philanthropy-tour-2026

09/24/2026

Where are we assuming we have an answer that we haven’t actually checked?

As a nonprofit leader and as part of the broader social sector, that's a question Murdock Trust CEO Romanita Hairston is sitting with this season.

In her September update, she shares how the transition to fall is an opportunity for us all to recenter a learning mindset. She explores three recent examples from the Trust: evaluation, listening, and our advisory cohort of senior fellows.

Read the full update: https://bit.ly/4iNqrYY

09/23/2026

"Evaluation should be curious and brave, not just confirmatory."

That mindset separates nonprofits that use evaluation to genuinely improve their impact from those using it to confirm what they already believe, according to a new qualitative study from The Foraker Group, Idaho Nonprofit Center, Montana Nonprofit Association, Nonprofit Association of Oregon, and Nonprofit Association of Washington, in partnership with Dialogues in Action and with funding from the Murdock Trust.

The study draws on interviews with 110 nonprofit leaders across the Pacific Northwest and surfaces key findings, along with practical next steps for nonprofits, capacity-builders, and funders, plus two diagnostic tools.

Explore our summary and find the full report: https://bit.ly/4xKx8P8

Discover a qualitative study of 110 Pacific Northwest nonprofit leaders reveals why evaluation is the sector's most under-resourced capacity, and what…

09/22/2026

After two full days of nonprofit board leadership curriculum and in-person connection, Green Room's 2026 cohort has completed Session 1.

This cohort had the highest-yet numbers of participants already serving on nonprofit boards, some of them as Board Chairs, but all 30 of these participants are influential leaders in their communities.

Green Room began as a response to community feedback: a call for more leaders of color in nonprofit board leadership. Since then, it has continued to grow thanks to Program Consultant Adrienne Livingston, Program Founder Rudy Carrasco, and Program Manager Sarah Ruckle, along with our talented coaches and faculty who add their own unique value and expertise to each cohort.

We're grateful to walk alongside this group of leaders as they learn and grow together!

09/18/2026

As our Finance Department functions evolve, we are pleased to welcome Alex Gaiovych as an Accountant.

Alex brings over six years of experience across core finance functions and accounting operations. In her role at the Trust, she will support standard accounting duties and grant finance and organizational contracts functions, expanding capacity in this important department at the Trust.

We look forward to the energy and expertise Alex will bring to the team. Please join us in welcoming her to the Trust!

Read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/4iBuMOP

09/15/2026

Programming that uplifts the lives of Latine youth. Leadership and education training for Latine women. Services targeted to the needs of the Latino community. This is some of the incredible work being done by three nonprofit partners in the Pacific Northwest: Latino Network, Adelante Mujeres, and Centro Cultural de Washington County.

While we celebrate these organizations year-round, Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) is a specific time to honor the people and organizations working to enhance and support the lives of the Hispanic and Latino community.

Thank you to these three partners and all those advancing the flourishing of Latine youth, women, and families across our region.

*Note: It is Murdock Trust practice to defer to the preferences of our grantees regarding cultural terms. In this post, we use the preferred terms of each grantee (Latine, Latino, etc.) when speaking of their work.