Board Leadership 2027 Application

Board Leadership & Development 2027 Application
Thank you for your interest in our 2027 Board Leadership & Development program.

In the next several weeks, we will consider candidates for this next cohort of organizations.

The ﬁrst step is for you to respond to the questions below. This application will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

To see an overview of the entire application, click here.

Please note that applications should save with each completed page.

If you pause in ﬁlling out the application partway through, please be advised that the answers on any incomplete page may not save. However, answers you have entered on completed pages should remain intact.

For your information, here is a link to the Board Leadership & Development page as a reminder of the purpose of this training.

Please contact the program manager, Sarah Ruckle, if you have any questions in the process of completing the application.

Please complete this application by Friday, July 17, 2026.

We look forward to learning more about you and your organization!
Organizational Eligibility
Organizations that meet the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply:
- Organizations should be from the Paciﬁc Northwest region (OR, WA, AK, MT, ID, British Columbia) or be national groups with a strong regional presence in our area. Although the board training program is not connected to our grant process, grantees working in the ﬁve sectors we serve (Artistic & Cultural Expression; Civic Engagement & Community Services; Health & Environmental Stewardship; Education & Leadership Development; Scientiﬁc Research) will be given priority in consideration for this program.
- Organizations that tend to beneﬁt most from the training are often those with annual budgets of over $350K and more than one FTE, including a full-time employed Executive Director. In recent years, the median budget size of organizations in the cohort has ranged from $600,000-$3,000,000.

Executive Director & Organization Information
Executive Director Contact Information
Full Name

First NameLast Name
Work Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Cell Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email Address
example@example.com
Executive Assistant/Alternate Contact Name

First NameLast Name
Executive Assistant/Alternate Contact Email
example@example.com
Organizational Information
Full Organizational Name
Website Link
Office Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Organization Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Budget Size
Total FTE Staff (i.e. 12.5)
Year Founded
Total # of Board Members
Organization's Mission Statement
Brief explanation of key programs

Organizational Context: S.W.O.T. Analysis

Please use brief bullet points only for each of these 4 questions about your current board and/or organization.
1. STRENGTHS (of your current board and/or organization)
2. WEAKNESSES (of your current board and/or organization)
3. OPPORTUNITIES (for your current board and/or organization)
4. THREATS (to your current board and/or organization)
How did you hear about this program?
Brieﬂy tell us how you think this program might beneﬁt your current board and/or organization.
Has your organization previously participated in the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust's Board Leadership & Development or Essentials of Development programs?
If yes, please tell us the program and the year participated:
Our three big questions/challenges/obstacles related to Board Leadership and Development: (Bullet points)

Program Expectations
Please conﬁrm you understand that the Executive Director, Board Chair, and one board member are expected to participate in the entirety of the program (virtual Orientation, February 2, 9:00-11:00am PT; in-person Training, March 2-4, 2027, Vancouver, WA).
The Murdock Trust's Board Leadership training materials are predominantly digital. All participants will be expected to utilize a portable device (e.g., laptop, tablet) to engage with digital program content.
Additional Information
Application Timeline
- Completed applications are due on or before Friday, July 17, 2026.
- After the application window closes, submitted applications will be reviewed. Select applicants will be invited to interview in late July and August.
- Cohort decisions will be made and communicated in late August or early September.
Program Dates
1. The Orientation (February 2, 2027, 9:00-11:00am PT) is held virtually. Note: Each organization may invite additional board members, up to 10 participants total.
2. The Training (March 2, 11:00am - March 4, 2:30pm, 2027) is held in person at the Vancouver Hilton (Note: The three participants listed above are required; up to 4 may participate)
3. After the Training, your coach will arrange a virtual or in-person site visit with your organization. All coaching costs are covered by the program fee.
Program Fee
The cost is $1,500 per organization, which includes your personalized coaching, all materials for both sessions, and meals and hotel costs for the Training in March.

Thank you for your interest in the Board Leadership & Development program!
Should be Empty:

Board Leadership & Development 2027 Application

Organizational Eligibility

Organizations that meet the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply:

Executive Director & Organization Information

Executive Director Contact Information

Organizational Information

Organizational Context: S.W.O.T. Analysis

Program Expectations

Additional Information