STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust works side by side with nonprofit and community partners openly and collaboratively. This hands-on approach focuses on solutions and uses various strategies:

• Making investments in nonprofit organizations whose work improves the lives of Maricopa County residents.
• Helping nonprofits through education and expertise move to a new level of effectiveness and stability.
• Becoming part of the fabric of the community not only as a grantmaker but a community leader committed to fostering constructive change.

STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING

Reflecting Virginia Piper’s own grantmaking, Piper Trust uses six Core Program Areas to focus the foundation’s efforts: Arts & Culture, Children (Early Childhood and Adolescence), Education, Healthcare & Medical Research, Older Adults and Religious Organizations.

Competitive grantmaking. Piper Trust conducts rigorous competitive grantmaking. Program, evaluation and communication staff work closely with potential grantees to ensure that projects are focused and meet longer term needs.

Initiatives. Piper Trust funds initiatives specifically identified to accomplish program goals. These projects can bring national program models to Maricopa County or draw together nonprofit partners to forge strategic collaborations for long-term, communitywide impact.

Evaluation. Piper Trust evaluation staff provide grantees with evaluation consultation and research tools. The focus is on what grantees want to know to make their programs successful. The Trust also evaluates its own effectiveness in working with grantees.

NONPROFIT ASSISTANCE

Piper Trust invests in fostering leadership and strengthening organizations. The Trust provides resources for grantees ranging from grant development and program consultation to marketing, technology, board development and strategic planning grants. Piper Trust also sponsors Piper Academies on various nonprofit topics and the Piper Fellows Program to provide sabbaticals for nonprofit leaders.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Piper Trust strives to be more than a grantmaker by convening groups to address community issues, bringing national thought leaders to meet with nonprofit executives and fostering collaboration among foundations. The Trust opened its offices in 2000 with a series of Community Conversations and continues to serve as a leader and partner in setting the course for the future of Maricopa County.

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