(Phoenix/Indianapolis) - The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust presented $4,259,300 in grants to 42 Indiana and Arizona charities in March at statewide check presentation ceremonies. The check presentations were held at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix on March 14 and The Center for Agricultural Science & Heritage in Indianapolis on March 20. The check presentation ceremonies were held at former Trust grantee sites with more than 75 guests at each event.

"The grant recipients share a common thread of excellence in fulfilling their commitments to their respective communities and states," said Harriet M. Ivey, president and chief executive officer of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. "Grants range from $8,000 to $500,000 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 first funding round for the year 2002. The Trust has a distribution budget of $15.6 million in 2002. Since the Trust began making grants in 1998, it has committed $58,754,221 to 425 nonprofit organizations.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program was launched in the fall of 2001. Through the program, the Trust underwrites scholarships for nontraditional college students at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Ivy Tech State College, Central Indiana Campus and Arizona State University and Maricopa Community Colleges in Phoenix.
In the fall of 2001, the Trust sponsored five students at IUPUI, eight students at ASU, 12 students at Ivy Tech State College and 15 students at Maricopa Community Colleges. Additional Nina Scholars will be recruited on an annual basis.

The Trust had approximately $367 million in assets as of Dec. 31, 2001.
The next deadline for Preliminary Applications is May 15, 2002. Applications may be obtained on the Trust's web site or by writing the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, 135 N. Pennsylvania, Suite 1200, Indianapolis, IN 46204; or by calling 317-231-6075.