(Indianapolis) - The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust presented $3,363,500 in grants to 21 Indiana charities Monday, Nov. 19. More than 75 guests representing the nonprofit organizations attended the check presentation at The Old Centrum, 1201 N. Central Ave. in Indianapolis.
"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 $15,000 to $1.5 million 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 $27,417,818 to 190 nonprofit organizations in Indiana.

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 Indiana and Arizona.
"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 Indiana 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 Hoosiers," 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 Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and Ivy Tech State College, Central Indiana.

Beginning with the 2001 fall semester, the Trust is sponsoring five students at IUPUI and 12 students at Ivy Tech State College. Students are eligible for support for up to six years at IUPUI and four years at Ivy Tech. New cohorts of Nina Scholars will be selected annually.
The Trust also makes grants in Arizona and had approximately $350 million in assets as of Sept. 30, 2001.

The next deadline for Preliminary Applications is Jan. 14, 2002.
Applications may be obtained by visiting the Trust's web site at www.ninapulliamtrust.org; by writing to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, 135 N. Pennsylvania, Suite 1200, Indianapolis, IN 46204; or by calling 317-231-6075.