Trustees and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust award $123 million in surprise grants to Maricopa County nonprofits—a philanthropic milestone in Arizona’s history. From left: Paul Critchfield, José Cárdenas, Judy Jolley Mohraz, Jim Bruner, Sharon Harper, Laura Grafman, Mary Jane Rynd (CEO), and Steve Zabilski.
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Awards $123 Million in Surprise Grants to 71 Nonprofits — the Largest Single-Day Grant Initiative in Arizona History
PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 13, 2021) — Trustees of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust today awarded a total of $123 million in surprise grants to 71 Arizona nonprofits — the largest single-day grant initiative in Arizona’s history.
The grants were presented to the 71 awardees throughout the day on September 13, 2021 — as a complete surprise. Trustees personally met with the CEOs and Board Chairs of the 71 organizations to thank them for their leadership and work and provide significant capital through grants that will give them strength and runway to help secure their futures.
“Bishop Olmsted and the Diocese of Phoenix are grateful to God and Trustees of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust for the Now is the Moment Grants Commemoration. The Trustees initiative provides an immediate and loving impact for Catholic charities and human services, high schools and higher education, and our greater community as a whole. On behalf of the community we wish to express our deep, heartfelt gratitude for this transformational and visionary gift.”
