(Phoenix)- The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust presented $1,807,904.50 in grants to 23 Arizona charities Thursday, November 15. More than 75 guests representing the nonprofit organizations attended the check presentation at the Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Ave. in Phoenix.

"Today's grant recipients share a common thread of excellence in fulfilling their commitments to this community and state," said Harriet M. Ivey, president and chief executive officer of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. "Grants range from $13,000 to $250,000 and represent every area of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust's program interests, which are helping people in need, protecting animals and nature and enriching community life," Ivey added.

This is the Trust's third funding round for the year 2001. Since the Trust began making grants in 1998, it has committed $26,388,103 to 200 nonprofit organizations in Arizona.

Nina Pulliam passed away in March of 1997. At her direction, upon her death, her assets were placed into an irrevocable charitable trust to support the causes she loved in her home states of Arizona and Indiana.

"Year 2001 marks our fourth year of a 50-year life for Trust operations. We will be a part of this community for 46 more years and in perpetuity through the legacy of your work that we are supporting today," Trustee Chairman Frank E. Russell stated to the Arizona agency representatives attending.

"The Trust's funding interests center around Nina's passions, continuing to support the things she loved and adding to the quality of life for all Arizonans," said Carol Peden Schatt, Trustee and niece of Mrs. Pulliam.

Trustee Nancy Russell updated the audience about the Trust's most recent initiative--the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program to underwrite scholarships for nontraditional college students at Arizona State University and Maricopa Community Colleges. Beginning with the 2001 fall semester, the Trust is sponsoring eight students at ASU and 15 students at the Maricopa Community Colleges. Students may be eligible for support for up to six years at ASU and four years at the Maricopa Community Colleges. Additional Nina Scholars cohorts will be recruited annually.

The Trust also makes grants in Indiana and had approximately $350 million in assets as of September 30, 2001.

The next deadline for Preliminary Applications is Jan. 14, 2002.
Applications may be obtained by writing to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600-B, Phoenix, AZ 85016; or by calling 602-955-3000; or through the Application page on our web site.