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Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s Recent Grantmaking Support Furthers Meaningful Work of Nonprofit Community


VIRGINIA G. PIPER CHARITABLE TRUST Press Release
March 31, 2015

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s Recent Grantmaking Support Furthers Meaningful Work of Nonprofit Community

PHOENIX, Ariz.—Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is pleased to further the significant work of Maricopa County’s nonprofit community through its grantmaking. The variety of rich services and cultural experiences provided by these inventive grantees is inspiring. Many grants in this collection support the nonprofit community as a whole, such as grants to: the Franciscan Renewal Center, the Cultural Data Project, and support to strengthen board governance.

“The Franciscan Renewal Center [the Casa] grant will support renovation of its highly sought after retreat facilities and construction of a new community life center—these enhancements will enable the Casa to accommodate a growing need the nonprofit community has for effective spaces to hold special meetings and events,” said Susan M. Pepin, M.D., president and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

The Cultural Data Project is a robust online tool for arts and cultural organizations to track trends and benchmark progress. Grants in support of the Cultural Data Project will be used to conduct programs that strengthen the use of quality data by arts and cultural organizations.

Through Piper Trust’s Good Governance Fund for grantees, seven organizations received awards to work on strengthening their board governance practices and leadership. The Trust recognizes the significant role that boards play in the success, growth, and sustainability of nonprofits and that through intentional development of board leadership, nonprofits can reach new levels of excellence.

In preparation for the 2015-16 school year, 292 public elementary schools in Maricopa County received “back-to-school grants” to support their students with necessary school clothes/uniforms. Piper Trust believes that essential clothing provides a child with a confident beginning for a successful school year.

Following is the list of grants awarded October 2014 through March 2015 by grantmaking area; grants for this period total more than $7.6 million.

ARTS AND CULTURE—TOTAL AWARDED:  $2,201,000

Arizona Commission on the Arts
Support coordination of the Arizona Cultural Data Project.
$15,000 / 36 months

Black Theatre Troupe, Inc.
Replace the theatre’s sound system.
$100,000 / 12 months

Cultural Data Project
Conduct programs that strengthen the use of quality data by arts and cultural organizations.
$120,000 / 36 months

EmcArts
Participate in leadership program to advance change and innovation in the arts and culture field.
$20,000 / 24 months

Heard Museum
Renovate galleries to accommodate new exhibitions.
$1,250,000 / 24 months

Jazz in Arizona, Inc.
Develop business, marketing, and fundraising plans.
$66,000 / 12 months

Mesa Arts Center Foundation
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Phoenix Boys Choir
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Scottsdale Museum of the West, Inc.
Support the new museum.
$500,000 / 12 months

Wickenburg Foundation for the Performing Arts
Support equipment and technology expansion of performing arts center.
$100,000 / 12 months

CHILDREN—TOTAL AWARDED:  $1,636,100 

Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped
Complete construction of space for children’s program.
$118,000 / 12 months

Back-to-School Grants
Provide school clothing grants to 292 public elementary schools within 40 districts in Maricopa County.
$545,100 / 12 months

Devereux Arizona
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Discovery Triangle Development Corporation
Expand mobile produce service (Fresh Express) in redevelopment area between Phoenix and Tempe.
$250,000 / 36 months

Friendly House, Inc.
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Maggie’s Place
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Raising Special Kids
Implement a positive behavior intervention program for staff trainers and parents/families of special needs children.
$108,000 / 24 months

Read On Arizona Fund*
Support early literacy projects through the Read On Arizona Fund.
$70,000 / 12 months

UMOM New Day Centers
Assess needs of homeless children to provide essential services/interventions.
$500,000 / 36 months

EDUCATION—TOTAL AWARDED:  $760,000 

Education Development Center
Prepare teachers for statewide implementation of kindergarten assessment practices.
$650,000 / 12 months

Junior Achievement of Arizona, Inc.
Convert Finance Park program to a technology-based curriculum.
$110,000 / 12 months

HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL RESEARCH—TOTAL AWARDED:  $575,000

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Expand dental anesthesia services and provide continuum of care for older adults.
$160,000 / 12 months

Circle the City
Purchase mobile medical clinic to serve homeless individuals and families with limited access to primary healthcare.
$400,000 / 24 months

St. Luke’s Health Initiatives
Support outreach to increase healthcare coverage for children in Maricopa County.
$15,000 / 6 months

OLDER ADULTS—TOTAL AWARDED:  $383,800

East Valley Adult Resources
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Experience Matters Consortium, Inc.
Support efforts to strengthen nonprofit board governance practices and leadership (Good Governance Fund).
$15,000 / 12 months

Mercy Housing Southwest
Implement Boston and Stanford Universities’ health and wellness programming on seven older adult housing properties.
$125,300 / 24 months

Sun Health Foundation
Expand services and implement Stanford University’s health and wellness programming in southwest Maricopa County.
$148,000 / 12 months

Sun Sounds of Arizona
Support technology upgrades to improve services for visually impaired people.
$80,500/ 12 months

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS—TOTAL AWARDED:  $2,000,000

Franciscan Renewal Center
Renovate retreat facilities and build new community life center (Capital Campaign).
$2,000,000 / 48 months

OTHER—TOTAL AWARDED:  $10,000

Arizona Community Foundation
Support administrative efforts for the 2015 Arizona Gives Day.
$10,000 / 12 months

PIPER FELLOWS PROGRAM—TOTAL AWARDED: $80,000

Piper Fellows are each awarded $30,000 for a sabbatical and $10,000 for staff development over 12 months; fellowships support the exploration of leadership development practices, educational programs, and best practice sites around the country.

The 2014 Piper Fellows are:

About Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust:

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust supports organizations that enrich health, well-being, and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County, Arizona. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has invested more than $338 million in local nonprofits and programs. Piper Trust grantmaking areas are healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education, and religious organizations. For more information, visit www.pipertrust.org. Follow us on Twitter @PiperTrust visit us on Facebook. View Piper Trust’s FY14 Annual Report at: www.pipertrust.org/annualreport2014

* Arizona Community Foundation as fiscal agent.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen Leland, 480-556-7125 / kleland@pipertrust.org
Director, Communications and External Relations
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
1202 East Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85014