Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Awards $2.5 Million in Grants

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust today announced grants totaling more than $2.5 million—funds that will help enrich Maricopa County communities in areas related to: arts and culture, disadvantaged children, older adults, heat relief for the homeless and strengthening the nonprofit sector. Piper Trust’s July through October 2012 investments showcase a range of ways that nonprofits are improving quality of life in communities.

“We plan to build the capacity and impact of the social sector in Maricopa County by leveraging the human capital that exists within the 1 million baby boomers in the county”

Experience Matters, a Phoenix nonprofit that connects people age 50+ with meaningful, social impact work, was awarded $1.6 million to expand its services and design, a “marketplace” that facilitates engagement between social purpose organizations and baby boomers through paid and unpaid opportunities. The engagement of people age 50+ in roles that combine personal meaning with social impact, also known as “Encore Careers,” is gaining popularity across the country, and particularly in Phoenix. Over the next 19 years, nearly 10,000 people per day will turn 65 in the United States¹.

“We plan to build the capacity and impact of the social sector in Maricopa County by leveraging the human capital that exists within the 1 million baby boomers in the county,” said Nora Hannah, CEO of Experience Matters.

The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, and Ballet Arizona will be partnering for the first time through a Piper Trust grant by integrating ticketing and marketing technologies that will increase efficiencies.

“This Piper Trust grant enables three of the state’s largest arts organizations to better themselves in a very significant way. Through a state-of-the-art technology partnership, we will collectively reduce our expenses and provide greater impact in the community as we collaborate on innovative marketing strategies that will ultimately deliver greater service to Phoenix and Arizona,” said James Ward, president and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony.

Maggie’s Place, another valued nonprofit that has worked diligently providing safe housing for homeless and displaced pregnant women over the last 12 years, will enhance its model and offer social support services to women after they leave the shelter.

“Research shows that social support networks that meet needs beyond the crisis stage are critical for long-term success. Maggie’s Place can increase our clients’ success rates by providing further training and guidance after their stay with us as they move toward a new future,” said Mary Peterson, executive director of Maggie’s Place.

Grants awarded July through October 2012 include (listed by grantmaking area):

ARTS AND CULTURE—TOTAL AWARDED: $275,712

Chandler Cultural Foundation / www.chandlercenter.org
Assess and align Chandler Center for the Arts with the community’s current arts and culture needs and vision.
$75,000 / 12 months

Southwest Shakespeare Company / www.swshakespeare.org
Create two Winterfest Shakespeare productions for feature at Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater (Piper Fellows Organizational Enhancement Award).
$50,000 / 12 months

Phoenix Boys Choir / www.boyschoir.org
Build the organization’s technology infrastructure.
$50,712 / 12 months

The Phoenix Symphony / www.phoenixsymphony.org
Establish a consortium of The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona to create economies of scale via expansion of a data management system.
$100,000 / 12 months

CHILDREN—TOTAL AWARDED: $209,725

Arizona Housing, Inc. / (website not available)
Develop afterschool program for at-risk, formerly homeless youth.
$49,725 / 12 months

Maggie’s Place / www.maggiesplace.org
Establish location (Fiat House) for training and support outreach efforts.
$160,000 / 12 months

OLDER ADULTS—TOTAL AWARDED: $2,027,000

The Beatitudes Campus / www.beatitudescampus.org
Expand continuum of care via new home healthcare service delivery.
$377,000 / 24 months

Experience Matters / www.experiencemattersaz.org
Create scalable business model that connects social sector organizations and experienced older adults focused on civic service.
$1,650,000 / 48 months

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS—TOTAL AWARDED: $30,000

Phoenix Rescue Mission / www.phoenixrescuemission.org
Support hydration efforts for heat relief.
$15,000 / 36 months

Society of St. Vincent de Paul / www.stvincentdepaul.net
Support hydration efforts for heat relief.
$15,000 / 36 months

OTHER—TOTAL AWARDED: $10,000

Arizona Grantmakers Forum / www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org
Support administrative efforts for Arizona Gives Day.
$10,000 / 12 months

About Piper Trust:

A private independent foundation, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust honors Virginia Galvin Piper’s philanthropic commitment to changing lives and strengthening community in Maricopa County (Arizona). By investing in nonprofits and encouraging strategic planning for the future, Piper Trust strives to make Maricopa County a stronger, more nurturing, vibrant community. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has invested more than $299 million in local nonprofits and programs. The Trust had total grants paid of $21.9 million in fiscal year 2012. 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.

¹Source: Pew Research Center, 2010.