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
2004
Laura Larson-Huffaker
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
EMPACT - The Suicide Prevention Center, Inc.
CURRENT POSITION
Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Health and Wellness
Laura Larson-Huffaker
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
EMPACT - The Suicide Prevention Center, Inc.
CURRENT POSITION
Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Health and Wellness
2004
Robin Dunn Marcos
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Regional Resettlement Director
Arizona, International Rescue Committee
CURRENT POSITION
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Robin Dunn Marcos
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Regional Resettlement Director
Arizona, International Rescue Committee
CURRENT POSITION
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
2004
Katrina Mueller Pappas
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Chandler Center for the Arts
CURRENT POSITION
Business Manager
Arizona Wilderness Coalition (Tucson, AZ)
Katrina Mueller Pappas
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Chandler Center for the Arts
CURRENT POSITION
Business Manager
Arizona Wilderness Coalition (Tucson, AZ)
2004
Luz Sarmina
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President and CEO
Valle del Sol, Inc
Luz Sarmina
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President and CEO
Valle del Sol, Inc
2003
Pamela Martin
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Homeward Bound
Pamela Martin
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Homeward Bound
2003
Kenneth Schutz
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director
Desert Botanical Garden
Kenneth Schutz
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director
Desert Botanical Garden
2002
Janice Ertl
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Clinic Director
St. Vincent de Paul Virginia G. Piper Medical and Dental Clinic
Janice Ertl
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Clinic Director
St. Vincent de Paul Virginia G. Piper Medical and Dental Clinic
2002
Chris Tompkins
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Foundation for Blind Children
Chris Tompkins
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Foundation for Blind Children
2001
Linda Searfoss
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
Linda Searfoss
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
2001
Santino Bernasconi
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President & CEO
Centro de Amistad, Inc.
CURRENT POSITION
Deacon
Town of Guadalupe Community
Santino Bernasconi
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President & CEO
Centro de Amistad, Inc.
CURRENT POSITION
Deacon
Town of Guadalupe Community
2001
Chevy Humphrey
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
The Hazel A. Hare President & CEO
Arizona Science Center
CURRENT POSITION
President & CEO
Museum of Science + Industry Chicago
Chevy Humphrey
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
The Hazel A. Hare President & CEO
Arizona Science Center
CURRENT POSITION
President & CEO
Museum of Science + Industry Chicago
2001
Mary Lynn Kasunic
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President & CEO
Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Inc.
Mary Lynn Kasunic
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President & CEO
Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Inc.
2001
Tamara Woodbury
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc.
Tamara Woodbury
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc.
