(Indianapolis) --The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust awarded $2,236,000 to 26 Indiana nonprofit organizations Monday, November 14. The announcement and presentation were held at the Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington Street, at 3:30 p.m.

"The Trust has continued to further the causes Nina Pulliam supported much of her life. As trustees, we are pleased to continue her legacy of helping people in need, protecting animals and nature, and enriching community life," said Frank E. Russell, Trustee chairman. "Since the Trust began its grantmaking in 1998, it has awarded more than $54 million to 328 Indiana nonprofit organizations."

"This 2005 third round of grants includes every area of the Trust's interests," said Harriet Ivey, Trust president and CEO (grant list is attached). "Grants range from $10,000 to $500,000 and six of today's recipients are first-time awardees. We welcome Bat Conservation International, Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation, Chrysalis Academy of Life and Learning, Community Addiction Services of Indiana, Inc., Indiana Minority Health Coalition and Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc. to the Trust family of grantees."

The Trust recognized 20 organizations helping people in need with grant commitments totaling $1,357,500. "Nina spent a lifetime helping others and her Trust has evolved into a strong resource for nonprofit groups in her beloved hometown of Indianapolis. With a strong emphasis on encouraging self sufficiency, the Trust serves individuals, including the elderly and disabled, women, children and their families," Trustee Carol Schilling said.

"Nina was known for her love of animals and was concerned for their welfare. Throughout her life, she supported efforts to protect animals of all kinds, as well as their habitats and the natural beauty of Indiana," Schilling said. The Trust awarded $53,500 to two organizations protecting animals and nature. The grantees are Bat Conservation International, Inc. and Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc.

The Trust's commitment to enriching community life in Indianapolis includes a $500,000 grant to Central Indiana Community Foundation for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Project to link the six designated cultural districts and become the downtown hub of the city's greenways trail system. "Nina was known for supporting programs that brought cultural and educational opportunities to citizens of all ages who otherwise might not have realized such experiences," Schilling explained.

"2005 also is a landmark year for the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program as we celebrate the graduation of 17 Nina Scholars," Trustee Nancy Russell said. "Since the Nina Scholars program began in 2001, it has touched the lives of more than 65 men and women in Indiana pursuing their dream of a college degree. The fifth cohort will begin studies this fall. Nina believed in education's power to transform lives and our Nina Scholars are testament to this."

"Nina came from a family that emphasized the importance of education. Education was the foundation for her great successes. From very humble beginnings, Nina became a recognized leader during her lifetime in the newspaper industry and in her home states of Indiana and Arizona," Russell added.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program provides scholarships to Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the Central Indiana campus of Ivy Tech Community College for men and women who are often overlooked by traditional college scholarships. Additional information may be obtained from the Trust web site or by calling the Nina Scholar Program Manager offices at IUPUI,
317-278-7878 or Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, at 317-921-4617.

The Trust, which also makes grants in Arizona, had approximately $360 million in assets as of September 30, 2005.

The next preliminary application deadline for nonprofit organizations applying to the Trust for funding is January 6, 2006.

Preliminary applications may be obtained through the Application page on our web site; by writing to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, 135 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 1200, Indianapolis, IN 46204; or by calling 317-231-6075.