Piper Trust Awards Collaborative Grants for Early Education and Arts and Culture; Brings Acclaimed Models to Arizona

PHOENIX (Sept. 14, 2010)—The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust announced grants of over $1.8 million, including two grants for community collaborations that are national models.

A $1 million grant will support a $10.8 million capital campaign to launch Educare Arizona, a state-of the-art learning facility for at-risk young children. The learning lab for child educators will be a statewide educational resource. A national model of the Buffet Early Childhood Fund, seven Arizona foundations have joined the effort, led locally by Whiteman Foundation.

A second national model, the Cultural Data Project, spearheaded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, will bring a powerful online management tool that allows arts and cultural institutions to format financial information once each year for expanded management analyses and funder applications. A number of foundations and the Arizona Commission on the Arts are supporting local implementation.

"These national models have proved highly successful in other states, and local efforts over a number of years have finally blossomed despite the economic distress," said Judy Jolley Mohraz, Piper Trust president and CEO.

The following is a list of grants awarded from mid-May through Sept. 13, 2010, in addition to previously announced $1.2 million in Arts Restructuring and Transformation Fund grants to 11 arts and cultural organizations on Aug. 11.

Arts and Culture
Arizona Community Foundation
Arizona Cultural Data Project local consultant.
$25,000/24 months

The Pew Charitable Trusts
Arizona Cultural Data Project; a public and private collaboration to strengthen the Valley's arts and cultural nonprofits.
$210,000/36 months

Children
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix
Economic impact study of the three Valley Boys & Girls Clubs.
$20,000/12 months

Devereux Arizona
New procurement system for safety-designed clothing at a youth treatment center.
$20,000/12 months

Family Promise - Greater Phoenix
Play area improvements and sports court equipment for family homeless shelter.
$16,800/12 months

Friendly House, Inc.
TRiO program providing high school students and their families with college admissions guidance.
$20,000/12 months

Greater Phoenix Youth at Risk Foundation
Expansion of youth mentoring programs using technology upgrades.
$16,250/12 months

Maricopa Council on Youth Sports and Physical Activity (MCYSPA)
Website promotion connecting children and families to local recreational activities that encourage a healthy lifestyle.
$20,000/12 months

Valle del Sol, Inc.
Technology lab equipment for youth obtaining IT certification.
$14,800/12 months

Valley of the Sun YMCA
A $2.39 million capital campaign to expand health and fitness services at the Chris-Town Family YMCA.
$239,000/24 months

Education
Educare Arizona
State-of-the-art early learning laboratory for at-risk children.
$1,000,000/24 months

Healthcare and Medical Research
P.O.P.S.I.C.L.E. Center, Inc.
Webinar to train medical professionals on how to address pediatric feeding disorders.
$50,000/12 months

Older Adults
Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Inc.
Expanded services in senior centers and in-home services using AmeriCorps members and volunteers.
$150,000/36 months

McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
Stewardship training program for older adult volunteers.
$19,700/12 months

Religious Organizations
Phoenix Rescue Mission
Heat relief packs and bottled water for homeless and homebound older adults.
$7,500/6 months

The Salvation Army
Annual Salvation Army Water Drive to supply hydration stations in Maricopa County.
$5,000/6 months

Total of all Grants: $1,834,050