(Indianapolis) --The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust awarded $1,805,000 to 26 Indiana nonprofit organizations Monday, March 20. The presentation was held at the Easter Seals Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, 4740 Kingsway Drive at 3:30 p.m. Registration and refreshments began at 3 p.m.

"The Trust has continued to further the causes Nina Pulliam supported during 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 $57 million to 339 Indiana nonprofit organizations. Nina Pulliam believed we all have a responsibility to give back to our community. Nina called Indianapolis and Phoenix home, which is the reason her Trust focuses its grants to organizations in these cities," Russell added.

"This is the first presentation of three grant rounds this year and includes every area of the Trust's interests," said Harriet M. Ivey, Trust president and CEO. "Grants range from $20,000 to $200,000, and 10 of today's recipients are first-time awardees.

"We welcome Assante Children's Theatre, Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, Choices, D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Foundation, Indiana Karst Conservancy, Indiana Mothers' Milk Bank, Jobs Partnership of Indianapolis, St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf and Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana to the Trust family of grantees," Ivey added.

The Trust recognized 19 organizations helping people in need with grant commitments totaling $1,470,000. "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 P. 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 $190,000 to four organizations protecting animals and nature.

The Trust's commitment to enriching community life in Indianapolis includes $145,000 in grants to three organizations. "During her life, Nina supported programs that brought cultural and educational opportunities to children and adults who otherwise might not have realized such experiences," Schilling explained.

"The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program continues to bring the dream of a college education to those who are overlooked by traditional scholarship programs," said Trustee Nancy M. Russell. "Since the Nina Scholars program began in 2001, it has touched the lives of more than 85 men and women in Indiana, and the sixth cohort of 17 students will begin their studies this fall. Nina believed in education's power to transform lives, and our Nina Scholars are testament to this.

"The Nina Scholars program assists three groups of nontraditional students whom mainstream scholarship programs overlook. Nina Scholars are 25 years or older with dependents, college-age students and adults with physical disabilities, or college-age youth who have been reared in the child-welfare system and are self-supporting.

"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 Scholars program provides scholarships to Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana. You may obtain additional information from the Trust's Scholar page or by calling the Nina Scholar Program Manager offices at IUPUI, 317-278-7878 or Ivy Tech Community College, at 317-921-4617.

The Trust, which also makes grants in Arizona, had approximately $372 million in assets as of January 31, 2006.

The next preliminary application deadline for nonprofit organizations applying to the Trust for funding is May 1, 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.