The Piper Fellows Program acknowledges the never-ceasing demands of nonprofit leadership and offers the opportunity for nonprofit leaders to reach, retool, and revitalize. A Piper Fellowship offers the potential for up to $90,000 in grant funding to a Fellow’s organization.
Applications are currently closed. 2026 Applications open in the Spring.
Professional Development
Piper Trust offers Fellowship awards of $30,000 (maximum) via an annual application and selection process to support professional development for outstanding leaders of nonprofit charity/501(c)(3) organizations serving Maricopa County.
Study and Travel
A Piper Fellow’s personally designed “professional development plan” can be taken all at once or divided into several time periods or dates and is based on what is best for the organization. Fellow candidates are encouraged to explore educational and professional programs, visit model program sites, and meet with thought leaders across the nation (travel limited to North America).
Applied Learnings
A Piper Fellowship also includes a $10,000 grant award for staff and board development and eligibility for the Fellow’s organization to apply for a Piper Fellows Organizational Enhancement Award (grant) of up to $50,000 within six months of Fellowship completion. Fellowships and grant-related Fellowship awards are contingent upon the Fellow’s continued employment at the organization.
OUR FELLOWS
Prize Years
2009
Mary Peterson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Co-Founder
Maggie's Place
Mary Peterson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Co-Founder
Maggie's Place
2009
Amy Pfeifer
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
St. Joseph the Worker
CURRENT POSITION
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Arizona Housing, Inc.
Amy Pfeifer
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
St. Joseph the Worker
CURRENT POSITION
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Arizona Housing, Inc.
2008
Edmundo Hidalgo
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Chicanos Por La Causa
Edmundo Hidalgo
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Chicanos Por La Causa
2008
Mark Nelson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Operations Officer
Foundation for Blind Children
CURRENT POSITION
Chief Executive Officer
Digital Apex
Mark Nelson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Operations Officer
Foundation for Blind Children
CURRENT POSITION
Chief Executive Officer
Digital Apex
2008
Daniel Scoggin
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Great Hearts Academies
CURRENT POSITION
Co-Founder
Great Hearts & President, Great Hearts Foundation
Daniel Scoggin
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Great Hearts Academies
CURRENT POSITION
Co-Founder
Great Hearts & President, Great Hearts Foundation
2008
John Swagert, MD
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Mountain Park Health Center
John Swagert, MD
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Mountain Park Health Center
2007
Blase Bova
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Development
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
CURRENT POSITION
Executive Director
Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
Blase Bova
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Development
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
CURRENT POSITION
Executive Director
Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
2007
Lisa Glow
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
CURRENT POSITION
Owner
Lisa Glow Consulting
Lisa Glow
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
CURRENT POSITION
Owner
Lisa Glow Consulting
2007
Theresa Leon
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Operations Officer
Friendly House
CURRENT POSITION
Owner
TLConsulting
Theresa Leon
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Operations Officer
Friendly House
CURRENT POSITION
Owner
TLConsulting
2007
Connie Phillips
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Sojourner Center
CURRENT POSITION
President & CEO
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Connie Phillips
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Sojourner Center
CURRENT POSITION
President & CEO
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
2007
Kurt Sheppard
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Programs Officer
Valle del Sol, Inc.
CURRENT POSITION
Director Complete Care
Banner University Health Plans
Kurt Sheppard
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Programs Officer
Valle del Sol, Inc.
CURRENT POSITION
Director Complete Care
Banner University Health Plans
2006
Rob Crawford
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Life Development Institute
Rob Crawford
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Life Development Institute
2006
Michelle MacLennan
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Assistant Manager
Chandler Center for the Arts
CURRENT POSITION
General Manager
Chandler Cultural Foundation / Chandler Center for the Arts
Michelle MacLennan
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Assistant Manager
Chandler Center for the Arts
CURRENT POSITION
General Manager
Chandler Cultural Foundation / Chandler Center for the Arts
2006
Milon F. Pitts
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Community Engagement
Homeward Bound
CURRENT POSITION
Chief Operations Officer
BFDNutrition
Milon F. Pitts
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Community Engagement
Homeward Bound
CURRENT POSITION
Chief Operations Officer
BFDNutrition
2006
Marsha Porter
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Crisis Nursery
Marsha Porter
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Crisis Nursery
2006
Keith Thompson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
The Phoenix Shanti Group
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Keith Thompson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
The Phoenix Shanti Group
Keith Thompson sadly passed away in January 2024. Keith was an inspiring Piper Fellow; he will be forever remembered for his stalwart leadership in service of HIV/AIDS healthcare and education. Keith was a gentle soul and totally committed to attending to the suffering of others. He was a comforting friend and confidant to countless Phoenicians and will be deeply missed.
2005
Joe Baker
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Outreach Director
Heard Museum
Joe Baker
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Outreach Director
Heard Museum
2005
Richard “Mike” Bell
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Shelter Services
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Manor
Richard “Mike” Bell
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Shelter Services
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Manor
2005
Michelle Dionisio
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President and CEO
Benevilla
CURRENT POSITION
Consultant
Nonprofit Management and Creative Aging/Teaching Artist
Michelle Dionisio
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President and CEO
Benevilla
CURRENT POSITION
Consultant
Nonprofit Management and Creative Aging/Teaching Artist
2005
Juanita Howard
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Quality Management and Deputy Director
Clinica Adelante, Inc.
Juanita Howard
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Quality Management and Deputy Director
Clinica Adelante, Inc.
2005
Kathy Nugent
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Finance Director
Fresh Start Women's Foundation
CURRENT POSITION
Finance Director
AZCEND
Kathy Nugent
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Finance Director
Fresh Start Women's Foundation
CURRENT POSITION
Finance Director
AZCEND
