SJICF awarded M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust grant
Published 1:30 am Saturday, January 24, 2026
Submitted by the San Juan Island Community Foundation.
The San Juan Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce it has been awarded a competitive grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to fund the hiring of a development director in 2026. This investment will strengthen SJICF’s capacity to grow philanthropy, deepen donor engagement and expand support for local nonprofits serving San Juan Island.
The development director position will focus on cultivating donor relationships, fundraising and developing long-term strategies to increase charitable resources for both critical community needs and opportunities for enrichment.
“This grant is a powerful vote of confidence in the future of community philanthropy on San Juan Island,” said Amy Saxe-Eyler, CEO of the San Juan Island Community Foundation. “With the support of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, we will be able to invest in the professional capacity needed to grow available charitable funding, strengthen nonprofit partners, and ensure our island community has the resources it needs to thrive for generations to come.”
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading philanthropic institutions, supporting nonprofit organizations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Its competitive grantmaking programs focus on building strong organizations and resilient communities through strategic investments in people, infrastructure and innovation.
SJICF is a 32-year-old nonprofit that serves as a hub for local philanthropy, fulfilling its mission by connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to support community nonprofits. In 2025, SJICF granted just under $2 million to nonprofit organizations and $269K in scholarships for local students. Through its grantmaking and community leadership, the foundation helps transform generosity into timely, effective support for islanders.
Saxe-Eyler, who was promoted to CEO of SJICF in 2025, welcomes the additional capacity as SJICF continues to focus on increasing philanthropy to meet local needs.
“Our Development Director will provide more leadership in our sector and will be critical in our efforts to raise private support for short-term and long-term needs such as affordable housing and nonprofit sustainability,” said Saxe-Eyler. “This grant will lift all nonprofits serving our community. I’m incredibly grateful for the staff and trustees at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for supporting our vision and investing in San Juan Island!
For more information about the San Juan Island Community Foundation or to learn how to support local philanthropy, visit www.sjicf.org.
