Benevilla extends their sincerest appreciation to the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust for their generous grant received on Monday, September 13th as a part of the “Now is the Moment” grant commemoration. The Piper Trust gave a record $123 million to 71 Maricopa County nonprofits still navigating the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Benevilla was a grateful recipient. The grants were awarded Monday during a series of meetings at the Piper Trust’s midtown headquarters.
The Trust decided to give the money to nonprofits, the largest single-day grant initiative in Arizona’s history, after earning it from investments during the last 15 months.
“Our feeling was, ‘Let’s take every penny and put it into the community,’ ” said Piper trustee Sharon Harper.
“I was in tears when I received the news,” says Joanne Thomson, Benevilla President and CEO. “Our agency has worked so hard to support our community members during this pandemic and with generous support like this, we can continue to do so!”
During this COVID-19 crisis, CDC guidelines advise older adults to stay home because they are at high-risk of serious complications from the virus. According to the Census 2018 population estimates, there are 254,000 West Valley senior residents or adults with disabilities and many of them do not have a support network enabling them to stay independent at home.
“In the world of COVID-19, the Benevilla programs have become a lifeline for many in our community who wish for themselves or their loved ones to remain safe and healthy at home.” says Joanne Thomson, Benevilla President and CEO.
With the grant, Benevilla will be able to continue or enhance their current program offerings including their 4 Life Enrichment Programs. Benevilla Life Enrichment Programs provide daytime respite for family members caring for a loved one. Providing the latest in proven therapeutic methods for increased levels of happiness and engagement for all members, the Benevilla Life Enrichment programs include daytime care for those with all stages of Alzheimer’s, other dementias, those with Parkinson’s, survivors of stroke, fall related injuries as well as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Benevilla also offers free Home Services which provides free assisted transportation, grocery shopping and light handyman services among other services and free Caregiver Support Groups, the Family Resource Center as well as the C.A.R.E.S. Resource and Education Program.
The $123 million grants commemoration aligns with the Trust’s increased grantmaking over the past two years in response to the pandemic, and its belief in the power of strengthening the capacity of nonprofits. In Fiscal Year 2021 (year ended on March 31, 2021), Piper Trust awarded more than $37 million to community organizations—a significant increase from its historical average of $22 million annually. Many of the 2021 grants were a direct response to the pandemic. Further, the COVID-response grants were unrestricted awards to provide grantees with full discretion and flexibility to use the funds as they saw fit for their respective organizations.
About the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
As the global pandemic continues, so does our commitment to listen, support, and stand by datacenter communities. When COVID-19 struck in March, the Datacenter Community Development Team knew our partners would need emergency funding to adapt to the challenges brought on by the global Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust supports organizations that enrich health, well-being, and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County, Arizona.
Piper Trust works side-by-side with nonprofit organizations as a partner, helping them to identify problems, build expertise, find solutions, and become continually stronger and more effective. The Trust strives to be a vital part of Maricopa County—not only as a source of leadership and financial support, but as a neighbor sharing a lasting stake in the county’s future.