February 2008 eNewsletter

Message from Our President

Welcome to the Trust's revived newsletter. It has a new look and covers both Trust news and updates from our grantees. Thanks to the arrival of Jane Ferguson, Director, Communications and External Relations, and Todd Scheuring, Communications Associate, we will be able highlight more news and resources.

One of our goals is always to have a two-way conversation going between local nonprofits and the Trust. We invite you to let us know how we can keep our end of the conversation most informative and helpful. Send us an email or give us a call. Also keep on the lookout for other Trust publications and communications that we will introduce later this spring. Strengthening our community is all about connectedness and good ideas

News from Piper Trust

Encouraging Rewarding and Productive Activities for Older Adults

Grants Awarded in January
The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded grants that will move Maricopa County closer to creating a model for living the last third of life. Grants totaling $3.7 million will go to promote civic engagement among older adults, enhance resources for children, build important skills at local nonprofit organizations and support new construction, among other efforts. Read more...

Piper Trust Names Five 2007 Piper Fellows
The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded Piper Fellowships to five exemplary nonprofit leaders, who will participate in self-designed sabbaticals for professional development and renewal. Read more...

The 2007 Piper Fellows are:
- Blase Bova, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Lisa Glow, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
- Theresa Leon, Friendly House
- Connie Phillips, Sojourner Center
- Kurt Sheppard, Valle del Sol, Inc.

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Grantee Highlights

Hospice of Valley Seeks Teen Helpers
The Arizona Republic, January 29, 2008
People 14 through 19 years old interested in volunteer service to hospice patients are invited to an orientation presented by Hospice of the Valley, a non-profit group that provides care to patients facing life-limiting illness. Read more...

Nintendo Wii System Swings into Popularity With Seniors
The Arizona Republic, January 28, 2008
Retirement centers provide games to hone motor skills, encourage fun. Read more...

Valley Christian Centers Gets Major Face Lift from Donors
The Arizona Republic, January, 20 2008
Valley Christian Centers' biggest enemy is hunger, but a close second was its worn-out roof. The non-profit's utility bills were $3,000 a month because heat and air-conditioning were pouring out of the building, which was built in 1966. That's not a problem anymore. Read more...


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In the Media

Gates' One-liners and Reading List
The Seattle Times, January 28, 2008
Gates' Davos speech, which he described as the most important he'll give this year, centered on the idea of creative capitalism, "an approach where governments, businesses, and nonprofits work together to stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a profit, or gain recognition, doing work that eases the world's inequities." Read more...

No Country for Old People?
The Washington Post, January 27, 2008
It's a tough time for seniors these days, and getting tougher as the economy slumps. How can we enrich Americans' later years? Read more...

Philanthropic Foundations Named 2007 Arizonan of the Year
The Arizona Republic, December 30, 2007
A new player is emerging on the state scene. Acting as catalyst, leader, resource, visionary. The Arizonan of the Year for 2007 is not a person but a group with a growing impact: philanthropic foundations. Read more...


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The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
6720 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 350
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480.948.5853 P
480.348.1316 F
www.pipertrust.org