PJC Piper Jaffray Companies

MINNEAPOLIS, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Piper Jaffray Companies today announced the funding of more than 50 nonprofit organizations across its geographic regions for a total of $1,038,000. Continuing the firm's extensive history of community leadership and annual contribution of 5 percent of pre-tax earnings, Piper Jaffray will support community sustainability in the areas of community investment in small business programs, economic education, civic engagement, and developing youth in math and science. The firm also continues to support arts and cultural organizations through sponsorships. "Piper Jaffray is committed to our communities and building vital and sustainable programs that enhance quality of life, especially for future generations and those at risk," said Andrew Duff, chairman and CEO of Piper Jaffray. "We are very excited to join with these organizations to make our communities stronger." Community development grants include $20,000 to Goodwill Easter Seals to support entrepreneur business training at Midtown Global Market in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis as well as $15,000 to the Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers for a micro-lending program to small businesses. Economic education grants include $20,000 to Best Prep to support e-mentoring and to Minnesota Business Ventures programs focused on low-income participants. "Piper Jaffray is a key partner in connecting the business community to our students," said Bob Kaitz, president and CEO of Best Prep. "The firm plays a valuable role in supporting our mission to help Minnesota's elementary and high schools students prepare for the economic challenges of the future." Piper Jaffray also awarded $10,000 to Phillips Community Television, supporting a youth curriculum that includes video documentation, Web-site production training and other technology training to help Phillips-area youth engage in civic life. Piper Jaffray also awarded a total of $325,000 in capital grants in the Twin Cities, including gifts to the Minnesota Zoo and the Landmark Center in Saint Paul. For a complete list of 2007 Piper Jaffray contributions, visit http://www.piperjaffray.com/community. As a member of the Minnesota Keystone Program, Piper Jaffray commits 5 percent of pre-tax earnings to nonprofit organizations through gifts of cash, in-kind contributions and volunteer hours. About Piper Jaffray Philanthropy For more than 25 years, Piper Jaffray and the Piper Jaffray Foundation have allocated 5-percent of pre-tax earnings to the community. Piper Jaffray was founded on a premise of partnership and opportunity. Through the areas of community investment, economic education and youth leadership, the firm's foundation and corporate giving focus has supported community opportunity and sustainability. In 2006, the firm's giving totaled more than $3 million. About Piper Jaffray Piper Jaffray Companies is a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of middle market corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a comprehensive set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; mergers and acquisitions advisory services; high-yield and structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity and high-yield research. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Piper Jaffray has 25 offices across the United States and international locations in London and Shanghai. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary. (NYSE:PJC) (http://www.piperjaffray.com/) Since 1895. Member SIPC and NYSE. DATASOURCE: Piper Jaffray CONTACT: Rob Litt, Media Relations of Piper Jaffray, +1-612-303-8266 Web site: http://www.piperjaffray.com/

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