FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Catholic Charities Receives Significant Gift from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust “Now is the Moment Grants Commemoration”

PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 16, 2021):

Catholic Charities Community Services will be able to assist significantly more individuals and families with vital services and resources as the result of an unexpected $4 million grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust “Now is the Moment Grants Commemoration.”

“We are, in a word, overwhelmed,” said Catholic Charities President and CEO Paul Mulligan. “Of course, the biggest beneficiaries of this incredibly generous gift will be those vulnerable people we serve, and for that we are deeply grateful.”

During 2020, Catholic Charities helped more than 17,000 individuals and families.

Catholic Charities was among a select group 71 nonprofit organizations in Maricopa County receiving a record total of $123 million in surprise Piper Trust grants, the largest single-day grant initiative in Arizona’s history.

Piper Trust distributed the funds following record-breaking growth in the value of its endowment.

“Despite a tumultuous year due to the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 and economic uncertainty across all sectors, many individuals and institutions with large investments in the stock market experienced extraordinary growth in the value of their holdings,” according to a statement by The Piper Trust. “Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s endowment grew by $123 million in the 15 months following the start of the pandemic. With these two opposing forces at work, and as stewards of the Trust’s founder, Virginia Galvin Piper, Trustees felt compelled to share all of the earnings in one swift move with the community.”

Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has now awarded more than $644 million.

“With a focus on strategy and sustainability, our leadership team is now considering how to best use these unexpected funds to support our mission and those most in need,” Mulligan said.

For more information about Catholic Charities Community Services, visit http://www.CatholicCharitiesAz.org.

About Catholic Charities Community Services:

Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in central and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early education, veteran services, refugee resettlement, and homeless outreach. Housing for Hope, a separate 501c3, is an affiliate of Catholic Charities and provides affordable housing. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org or www.housingforhopeAZ.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.

Contact:
Jean Christofferson
Catholic Charities Community Services
602-650-4847