Maricopa Community Colleges is proud to announce that the 10-college system has received a generous $1 million grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust (Piper Trust). Grant funding will support the nation’s largest community college system in fueling its mission of transforming lives and enriching communities through teaching, learning, and service.
“For more than 20 years, the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has provided invaluable philanthropic support to our system, connecting students to affordable and accessible higher education,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “Their continued generosity has transformed lives and made earning a postsecondary certificate or degree a reality for so many.
Investing in Student Success
According to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, in recent years, philanthropic support for U.S. colleges and universities grew by 3%, when adjusted for inflation. Today’s donors are contributing to areas that matter most to students, with nearly half of all endowed gifts directed to student financial aid. In recent years, Americans pledged $61.50 billion in charitable giving to higher education.
“Investing in the promise of people, discovery, and innovation was key to Virginia Piper’s philanthropy," said Steve Zabilski, President and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. “She recognized the vital, long-game role that higher education institutions play, as Piper Trust does today.”
Sustained Collaboration Fuels Progress
Piper Trust has a long history of supporting Maricopa Community Colleges and its students. In 2024, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) received a $2.25 million grant to expand Licensed Practical Nursing program offerings at GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, and Mesa Community College. The three-year grant opportunity aims to serve 768 students by 2026. Funding has impacted more than 100 aspiring nurses, covering the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses. To date, MCCF has awarded $95,400 in scholarships across the three participating colleges.
#1 Choice in Higher Education
As the largest provider of workforce training in the state, Maricopa Community Colleges supports one out of every 28 jobs in Maricopa County. According to an economic study produced by Lightcast, the system generates nearly $8 billion in local economic impact, fueling more than 108,000 jobs throughout the county. Additionally, the system educates more Arizona residents than any other postsecondary institution in the state—making it the top choice for homegrown talent.
To learn more about Piper Trust’s long-standing commitment to higher education, click here.