Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Grants (Non-Environment Requests)

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust focuses on supporting nonprofits in Arizona and Indiana through invitation-only grants. The Trust funds initiatives that help people in need, protect animals and nature, and enrich community life, emphasizing self-sufficiency, crisis intervention, and education. Grants are available for programs that enhance civic vibrancy, promote environmental awareness, and provide essential services to vulnerable populations. Organizations must align with the Trust's priorities and geographic areas to be eligible for funding.

NOTE:
The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.If you believe your nonprofit organization aligns with the Trust’s funding priorities and geographic areas, contact one of the Trust program officers .Furthermore, this grant page is specifically for "Helping People in Need", non-environmental requests within "Protecting Animals and Nature", and "Enriching Community Life". For Environmental Requests within the "Protecting Animals and Nature" grant program area, see the grant page here.
Grant Process
On an invitation-only basis, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust funds primarily nonprofit organizations in Arizona and Indiana that align closely with our giving areas: Helping People in Need, Protecting Animals and Nature, and Enriching Community Life.
Helping People in Need
Mrs. Pulliam valued giving people experiencing difficulty a hand-up and firmly believed that education was essential to reaching one’s full potential.
The Trust supports:

• Self-sufficiency

Programs that provide adult education or training with accompanying social supports for individuals to obtain and maintain gainful employment.Programs that focus on economic self-reliance through micro-lending, small business development and entrepreneurial efforts for low-income individuals.Programs that assist the elderly in maintaining their independence and remaining in their homes.
Crisis Intervention
Programs that assist vulnerable families, women and children to help move them from crisis or instability to greater functioning.Programs that provide basic needs, such as food, clothing, emergency shelter or transitional housing.
Foster Care
Programs that increase the number of licensed foster families and kinship providers.Multigenerational programs that help prevent children from entering the system.Programs that support young adults ages, 18-25 who are aging out of the system, with post-secondary educational attainment, job training and financial self-sufficiency.
Education and Literacy
Programs that provide mentoring and tutoring to disadvantaged youth.Out-of-school time programs and projects for underserved children.Programs that improve literacy skills of adults.Programs that help high school students gain access to careers or post-secondary education.Programs that work with children (0 – 5) and their families to improve literacy, reading and language acquisition.
Protecting Animals and Nature
Mrs. Pulliam loved animals – domesticated and wild – and the natural environment. She sought ways to encourage human bonds with both.
The Trust supports organizations and programs that:

• Programs that provide humane and wellness services for domestic animals, including shelter, rescue, spay/neuter and adoption.
• Programs that promote conservation of natural habitats and ecosystems that advance preservation, protection and restoration of land, water, wildlife and plants.

Programs that promote environmental awareness to connect people to the natural world, promote personal stewardship, or offer knowledge and tools for addressing current and future problems.
Enriching Community Life
Mrs. Pulliam appreciated the importance of having vibrant communities that benefit all
residents, while ensuring that nonprofit organizations fulfill their missions at a level of
excellence.
The Trust supports:

• Programs that add to the overall civic vibrancy and cultural vitality of the community.
• Programs that create innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life in Indianapolis or Phoenix.

Eligibility

In general, the Trust makes grants only to public charities that are exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Trust will consider fiscal sponsorship arrangements. Geographic priorities: The Trust accepts requests only from nonprofit organizations located in and serving Marion County, Indiana and Maricopa County, Arizona

Ineligibility

What the Trust will not fund:Grants for international activities, academic research, sectarian purposes, or programs that promote religious doctrine or political campaigns.
Grants for health-related programs, except for those related to the visually impaired.
Requests for programs that target those currently incarcerated, exiting the criminal justice system or recently released. Within this area, programs that target children of incarcerated individuals or address youth in foster care will be considered.
Operating or capital requests from colleges and universities. (The latter includes endowments for professorial chairs, faculty training and research, scholarships and building campaigns.) However, the Trust will continue to accept requests through its regular grant cycles for support of projects that link higher education institutions to their communities.
Grants to individuals.