The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust announced grants totaling more than $3.6 million—funds that will help strengthen Maricopa County communities in the areas of arts and culture, services for disadvantaged children, youth mentoring, healthcare initiatives, and older adults.
“Expanding the Encore Fellows program will allow us to place additional experienced adult professionals within organizations that may not typically be able to afford this level of talent.”
The Trust’s January through March 2012 investments cover a range of programs such as: developing effective new tools for parents of blind children so they may better coordinate multiple, complex services needed to support and educate their children; enhancing the sites of two significant cultural venues—Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden; and expanding the “Encore Fellows” program—a program facilitated by Experience Matters, a nonprofit that capitalizes on the time and talent of older adults (age 50+) seeking paid or unpaid positions that apply their skills to social purposes.
“Baby boomers are hitting retirement ages at a rapid pace, and there is great momentum to capture their interests and talents. Boomers often see retirement as an opportunity to participate and work in new ways that impact social causes they care about,” said Nora Hannah, CEO, Experience Matters. “Expanding the Encore Fellows program will allow us to place additional experienced adult professionals within organizations that may not typically be able to afford this level of talent.”
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust will be recognized by the National Council on Aging in Washington, D.C. for its work over the last decade in establishing effective public and private partnerships that support the development and care of Maricopa County’s older adults. On Friday, March 30, Piper Trust will receive the Arthur Flemming Award for its leadership in developing initiatives that promote healthy, independent and productive living for older adults. There are 1.1 million people in Maricopa County who are age 50 or older.
“Piper Trust continues to have great foresight in developing civic opportunities for older adults who want to apply their experience to social causes. We commend Piper Trust’s leadership in making the value of older adults a priority. The Trust’s work in aging is a role model for funders throughout the country who want to make a difference for older adults in their communities,” said Jim Firman, president and CEO, National Council on Aging.
Desert Botanical Garden: Expand site to accommodate growing clientele and new cultural offerings, $500,000.
Phoenix Zoo: Construct new visitor entrance, $1,250,000.
Foundation for Blind Children: Develop tools for parents of blind children to navigate complex delivery systems, $120,000.
Gabriel’s Angels: Expand intervention training to partner agency therapists and therapy teams, $215,000.
Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods: Expand services for Chandler area youth, $560,000.
Science Foundation Arizona: Provide a challenge grant to secure new donors, $250,000.
The Neighborhood Christian Clinic: Add three half-day health clinics, $150,000.
Valle del Sol, Inc.: Renovate office space to create a pediatric clinic and purchase medical equipment, $126,625.
Arizona Town Hall: Support the 100th Arizona Town Hall on civic engagement, $5,000.
Experience Matters Consortium: Support four additional Encore Fellowship positions, $80,000.
Solecito Services, Inc.: Expand service and restore or purchase medical equipment, $44,500.
Valley of the Sun United Way: Support of the Homelessness and Hunger Funders Collaborative project (continuation of Community Relief Grant), $300,000.
