Press Release

21 Indiana nonprofits receive $1,609,000 Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust grants

March 24, 2003

(Indianapolis) -The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust presented $1,609,000 in grants to 21 Indiana agencies Monday, March 24. More than 60 guests representing the nonprofit organizations attended the check presentation at Noble of Indiana, 7701 E. 21st Street.

“Our funding helps people in need, protects animals and nature, and enriches community life in Indiana and Arizona, the states Mrs. Pulliam called home,” explained Harriet M. Ivey, president and chief executive officer of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. “Nine of today’s grantees are first-time recipients of the Trust’s giving. Grants range from $12,500 to $224,000,” Ivey added. This is the first of the Trust’s three funding rounds for 2003. Since the Trust began making grants in 1998, it has committed $38,389,656 to 247 nonprofit organizations in Indiana.

“As the Trust enters its sixth year, we are most pleased with the long-term impact of our grant dollars and the relationships and programs established with our family of grantees,” said Trustee Carol Peden Schatt. “Nina would have been so proud of the work her dollars are supporting today,” she added.

“The Trust will be a part of this community for many years to come – during the next 44 years of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust’s 50-year life and, more importantly, through the legacy of your work,” Trustee Chairman Frank E. Russell stated to the Indiana organization representatives attending.

Trustee Nancy Russell updated the audience about the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program, which opens doors of higher education for men and women who are often overlooked for traditional college scholarships.

“We are very pleased that many of our Nina Scholars are referred from nonprofit organizations the Trust supports,” Russell said. Beginning in 2001, each year the Trust has sponsored five new students at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and 12 new students at Ivy Tech State College, Central Indiana Campus. The third cohort of 17 Nina Scholars will begin classes in the fall 2003 semester. The Nina Scholars application process begins in January of each year. Information about the Nina Scholars program may be found on the Trust’s web site. The Trust, which also makes grants in Arizona, had approximately $300 million in assets as of December 31, 2002.

The next deadline for nonprofit organizations to apply for funding is May 15, 2003.

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