Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Awards $1.5 Million to Girl Scouts' Campaign for Girls in Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, February 2, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is delighted to announce the receipt of a $1.5 million gift from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust for the Campaign for Girls in Arizona. This grant will support the transformation of Camp Sombrero, one of the Girl Scouts’ historic campsites located in South Phoenix, into a leadership center for girls and women.

“Virginia Piper cared deeply about broadening educational opportunities, civic leadership, and lifelong learning. She would be both humbled and thrilled by the Girl Scouts’ new center and its vast offerings for the community,” said Susan Pepin, M.D., president and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

"Virginia Piper cared deeply about broadening educational opportunities, civic leadership, and lifelong learning. She would be both humbled and thrilled by the Girl Scouts' new center and its vast offerings for the community."

Susan Pepin, M.D., President and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

Construction of this new leadership center is a key component of the Campaign for Girls in Arizona. Built on the existing 14.5 acre site at the base of South Mountain, it will increase the capacity of GSACPC to deliver relevant Girl Scout programing and activities to more of Arizona’s girls, regardless of their ethnicity, physical abilities, circumstances or economic status.

“This extraordinary gift is a wonderful vote of confidence from the board of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “We are very honored to have Virginia G. Piper’s name grace the largest gathering space at the center.”

The $1.5 million gift from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust adds to the growing list of foundations and community philanthropists whose financial support for the Campaign for Girls in Arizona has reached a total of $14.3 million. Recent gifts have included $5 million from the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, $250,000 from The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, $ 100,000 from the Phoenix Suns Charities, and $100,000 from the Margaret T. Morris Foundation.  Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust's contribution will be recognized by naming the large conference hall located within the Bob and Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women.

The site will include meeting spaces for large and small group activities and trainings, classrooms for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education) and other focus area programs, a pool, sports field and cabins for overnight camp experiences. The temperature controlled buildings will allow the center to be used year around by Girl Scouts and adult volunteers.

Construction is expected to be completed in early 2017 and will become a vibrant activity center in the South Mountain community. Due to its location, the camp has a remote feel which offers the girls a true camp experience, while remaining close to home. The center will provide leadership training for girls and women statewide and serve surrounding community groups, partner organizations and schools.

Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)

Arizona’s leading organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. In partnership with more than 11,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves 22,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. Girl Scouts helps young women grow courageous and strong through girl-driven programs, ranging from product sales, troop activities and special events. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org .

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust supports organizations that enrich health, well-being, and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County, Arizona. Piper Trust grantmaking areas are healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education, and religious organizations. For more information, visit www.pipertrust.org.