Philanthropy and Vision

For the past 10 years, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has honored the commitment of Virginia Galvin Piper in supporting organizations whose work enhances the lives of people in Maricopa County.

Following the philanthropic example of her first husband, Paul V. Galvin, the founder of Motorola, Mrs. Piper wrote, “For me, managing the stewardship of charitable giving is a moment to moment dignified responsibility of a truly high calling in human affairs and human relations.”

Moving from Chicago with her second husband, Kenneth M. Piper, Mrs. Piper lived in Paradise Valley, Arizona, for the last three decades of her life and quietly but steadily worked to strengthen Phoenix-area nonprofits.

Mrs. Piper established the Trust in 1995 and appointed four lifetime trustees to oversee the work of the foundation. In 1999 shortly after Mrs. Piper's death, the trustees began the formal work of the Trust.

When Mrs. Piper’s estate was settled in 2000, the Trust received approximately $600 million, making it one of the 100 largest foundations in the United States.

Grantmaking

In December 2000, the trustees awarded eight Cornerstone Grants totaling $41 million to a select group of organizations Mrs. Piper historically supported.

The first round of competitive grants was awarded in February 2002 to 68 organizations and totaled nearly $11.5 million.

Now, after a decade of service, Piper Trust is committed to honoring Virginia Galvin Piper’s philanthropic commitment to changing lives and strengthening community in Maricopa County. By investing in nonprofits and encouraging strategic planning for the future, Piper Trust strives to make Maricopa County a stronger, more nurturing and vibrant community.

Each year, Piper Trust awards an average of $26 million to nonprofits that serve the people of Maricopa County. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has invested more than $240 million in local nonprofits and programs.