Arizona Charities Received More than $43 Million to Date

(Phoenix)-- The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust presented $2,147,000 in grants to 21 Arizona agencies Thursday, March 18. More than 70 guests representing the nonprofit organizations attended the check presentation at the Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, at an area of the Nina Mason Pulliam Children's Trail called Plaza de los Ninos.

"Our funding helps people in need, protects animals and nature, and enriches community life in Arizona and Indiana, the states Mrs. Pulliam called home," explained Edmund H. Portnoy, Ph.D., director of grants programs of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. "Four of today's grantees are first-time recipients of the Trust's giving. Grants range from $20,000 to $500,000 and represent every area of our program interests," Portnoy added.

This is the first of the Trust's three funding rounds for 2004. Since the Trust began making grants in 1998, it has committed $43,359,363 to 235 nonprofit organizations in Arizona.

"As the Trust begins its seventh year of funding, we are most pleased with the long-term impact of our grant dollars and the relationships and programs established with our family of grantees," said Trustee Carol Peden Schatt. "Nina would have been so proud of the work her dollars are supporting today," she added.

"The Trust will be a part of this community for many years to come - during the next 43 years of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust's 50-year life and, more importantly, through the legacy of your work," Trustee Chairman Frank E. Russell stated to the Arizona organization representatives attending.

Trustee Nancy Russell updated the audience about the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program, which opens doors of higher education for men and women who are often overlooked for traditional college scholarships. "We are very pleased that many of our Nina Scholars are referred from nonprofit organizations the Trust supports," Russell said.

Beginning in 2001, each year the Trust has sponsored eight new students at Arizona State University and 15 new students at Maricopa Community Colleges. Currently 60 Nina Scholars are enrolled at both schools. The fourth cohort of 23 Nina Scholars will begin classes in the fall 2004 semester. The Nina Scholars application process begins in January of each year.

The Trust, which also makes grants in Indiana, had approximately $345 million in assets as of January 31, 2004.

The next deadline for nonprofit organizations to apply for funding is May 14, 2004.

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.