Eligibility & Requirements

Qualified Organizations.

The candidate's employing organization must be a 501(c)(3) organization that has provided services primarily within Maricopa County for at least 10 years* in human services, health, education, arts and culture, or religion. The employing organization should:

• Fully support the candidate's request for a minimum one month leave to participate in the Fellows program and submit a work plan for organizational management during the candidate's absence and upon the candidate's return.
• Guarantee all salary benefits and continue full-time employee status of the candidate during the period of leave.
• Be able to sustain regular operations during the candidate's absence.

Candidates.

Executives with significant responsibilities for a nonprofit organization serving Maricopa County in the area of human services, health, education, religion or arts and culture may apply. Employees of organizations classified as private foundations under Section 509(a) are not eligible. Candidates for the Piper Fellows program should:

• Be outstanding executives who have a demonstrated track record of leadership within their organization and service to the community.
• Hold primary or significant responsibility for the management of the organization's programs and funds.
• Have worked a minimum of ten years in the nonprofit sector, though not necessarily for a single organization, without significant leave for professional development.
• Be a full-time employee of the applicant organization.
  

Other Requirements.

• The release time should be completed within 12 months of the award notification date.
• Candidates completing the Piper Fellows program are required to send a written report to the Piper Trust within three months of completion of the award period. Reports should include a detailed account of the experiences and activities during the release period and how those experiences and activities will help them better serve the mission of their organization.
• Piper Fellows agree to participate in periodic activities during the fellowship year and in subsequent years as "alumni" to build on their experiences, to foster continued professional development and to stimulate potential collaboration and cooperation among the Piper Fellow organizations.

* Each year, the selection committee may choose to award one fellowship to an Emerging Leader whose organization has operated for five or more years. For consideration, the nonprofit leader must meet all candidate-specific requirements.

For more information about the Piper Fellows program, download the Piper Fellows Brochure.