Piper Trust Awards Over $5,000,000 to 27 Local Nonprofits

Two Grants Fund Programs to Retrain and Engage Older Adults

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (September 18, 2007) The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust announced grants totaling nearly $5.3 million that will support projects ranging from a new ASU Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence to an Arizona Bridge to Independent Living sports and fitness center for youth and older adults with disabilities.

“The trustees were impressed with the innovative programs nonprofits are launching to serve community members at every stage of life,” said Judy Jolley Mohraz, President and CEO of the Piper Trust.  “We are honored to partner with organizations that are developing programs that will gain national attention for their innovation and expanded services,” Mohraz said.

Recognizing the demographic tidal wave of aging baby boomers, GateWay Community College will develop a Workforce Transition Center to train older adults for second careers in healthcare, education and social services. Another grant will fund ten nonprofits to participate in a national training program to engage people 55 and older in leadership roles in their organizations.

Committed to reducing the number of children downing in swimming pools, the Trust awarded Valley of the Sun United Way $250,000 to expand the Adopt-A-Fence program which Phoenix firefighters introduced in low income areas where families cannot afford to fence existing swimming pools.

Arizona Quest for Kids and Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona each received grants for mentoring programs for high ability students from low income families.

Three grants to arts and culture organizations will assist in audience development and education.  Desert Botanical Garden will use the $800,000 grant to enhance its educational programs while Valley Youth Theatre will develop a rebranding campaign to attract new audiences.  A grant to Alliance for Audience will support ShowUp.com as it strengthens its marketing of local arts events.

The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is committed to honoring Virginia Piper’s legacy of making grants to organizations whose work enhances the lives of people in Maricopa County.  Since it began awarding grants in 2000, the Trust has invested more than $177,000,000 in local nonprofits and programs.  The Trust focuses its grantmaking on healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education and religious organizations.