Frequently Asked Questions
What We Fund
Q: What does Piper Trust fund?
A: The Trust supports projects in the areas of healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education and religious organizations. We have particular interest in projects that benefit young children, adolescents and older adults in Maricopa County.
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Eligibility
Q: What types of organizations do you fund?
A: Piper Trust supports organizations that have been in existence and actively operating in Maricopa County as a Section 501(c)(3) organization for at least three years. The Trust does not fund individuals or private foundations as defined under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Q: Do you have a geographical focus?
A: Yes. We fund organizations that principally serve residents of Maricopa County, Arizona. We do not seek applications from organizations principally serving residents of other parts of Arizona, the United States or other countries.
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Types of Grants
Q: What is the Trust's typical size of grant awarded?
A: Grants awarded over the past year have ranged from $2,500 to $5 million. A detailed list of grants awarded can be found on this website in the Search Grants section.
Q: Are multi-year grants considered?
A: Yes. Single-year and multi-year requests are considered when the proposed project requires more than one year to achieve its objectives.
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How to Apply
Q: How often can I apply for funding?
A: We encourage applicants to submit no more than one request per year. A subsequent request may be submitted 12 months after the last submission. We also encourage organizations with a current grant not to apply until after that grant has been completed. Exceptions may be made when the Trust initiates the project and asks an organization to apply. These limitations are intended to help both applicants and Trust staff be more thoughtful in preparing and reviewing proposals.
Q: Do you have application deadlines?
A: No. Letters of Inquiry are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. Our trustees consider grant requests three times per year.
Q: How does an organization apply for funding?
A: We ask applicants to complete an online Grant Summary Form, attaching a two-page Letter of Inquiry.
Q: What is the grant review process?
A: Under normal circumstances, we will review the initial inquiry and request any further information from the applicant within six weeks of receiving the inquiry. A program director may request a site visit and a full proposal. After staff completes its review of full proposals, the board reviews staff recommendations at its next grant review meeting. Applicants will be notified in writing of the disposition of their requests after this meeting. The application and review process can take between two and six months, depending on how fully developed a request is when it is submitted and on our grant review schedule.
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Online Grant Summary Form
Q: How does the online Grant Summary Form work?
A: The process differs slightly for first-time users and returning users, and the form varies somewhat depending on whether you are representing a nonprofit organization, church or governmental entity.
Q: What if I submitted my Grant Summary Form and forgot to attach the two-page Letter of Inquiry?
A: If you forgot to attach your two-page Letter of Inquiry with the submittal, please email it to grants@pipertrust.org. Please type your organization name on the subject line so we can identify it quickly and ensure it will be attached to the Grant Summary Form for review and consideration.
Q: What browsers are supported or required?
A: The online application process requires the browser set to allow cookies. Supported browsers include:
- Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC and Mac)
- Internet Explorer 6.0 (PC)
- Netscape 7.02 (PC)
- Opera 7.11 (PC)
- Safari 1.0 (v85) (Mac).
Q: How do I return to my Grant Summary Form in progress?
A: Return to the Login Page and enter your email and password. Your account page should appear listing all open Grant Summary Forms or those submitted.
Q: How do I create a new application?
A: Go to the Login Page and enter your email and password. You will be asked to enter your Tax ID#. An application is automatically generated and saved in your account page.
Q: Can I still submit a hard copy of my application?
A: We will continue to accept hard copy grant requests that are mailed or hand-delivered to our office. We hope submitting online grant requests will improve the ease with which organizations can submit requests for Piper Trust funding. We strongly encourage you to try this process, and we welcome your feedback on how we can make it better!
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More Information
Q: Is it appropriate to call the Trust staff prior to sending a request or to receive feedback on requests that were not funded?
A: Yes. Trust staff encourages grantseekers to contact them in advance to determine whether their programs fit within the Trust's guidelines. See Applying for a Grant for more information.
Q: Can I meet Trust staff to learn more about guidelines and the application process?
A: Yes. Piper 101 public information sessions are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Trust offices. They are designed as initial introductions to the Trust for organizations or organizational staff who have not had prior information about or contact with the Trust. The sessions reiterate the information on this website. They provide opportunities to hear this information directly from Trust staff and to cover any specific questions about guidelines or how to apply. Reservations are required. We try to limit attendance to about 20 people per session and no more than two per organization to allow for more informal exchange of information.
Q: Where can I learn more about receiving support from foundations?
A: There are many resources designed to help nonprofits connect with fundraising resources. See the Nonprofit Resources section for links to online resources.
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