Marking the new partnership between The Piper Foundation and the Clinton County Community Foundation upon recent court approval were, from left, Mark Weaver and Bob Lugg, both CCCF board members; Pat Piper-Smyer, president of The Piper Foundation; Dennis Trout and Don Grant, community foundation president and secretary, respectively. PHOTO PROVIDED

The Clinton County Community Foundation recently announced the melding of the Piper Foundation into its group of contributors, thus sustaining the Piper Family’s legacy of giving.

Founded in 1955 as the charitable arm of the Piper Aircraft Corp., The Piper Foundation has been granting college scholarships, as well as monetary gifts to various local organizations for more than 65 years, a news release from the foundations said.

“Initially directed by William T. Piper Sr., the founder of Piper Aircraft, and his three sons, Bill Piper Jr., Tony Piper, and Howard ‘Pug’ Piper, The Piper Foundation for the last 35 years has been guided by Mr. Piper Sr.’s granddaughters, Pat Piper-Smyer, Betsy Harford Barrett and Anne Harford Bert, with eight other family members also serving on the board,” the news release said.

Because the fourth generation of Piper cousins is so scattered about the country, the family decided to turn over the reins — and the assets — to the community foundation. The dissolution of the Piper Foundation and the transfer of its assets was recently approved by Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Salisbury.

Upon that transfer — and in partnership with the Piper family descendants — the CCCF will create two separate funds as follows: The Piper Family Scholarship Fund and The Piper Family Fund, according to the news release.

The Piper Foundation’s assets are valued at about $1.3 million, and will boost the community foundation’s assets to over $13 million.

“The Piper Family Scholarship Fund will continue to award four-year scholarships to college-bound graduating seniors from the Keystone Central School District based on need, academic achievement and extracurricular activities,” the news release said.

Proceeds from the Piper Family Fund will continue to be distributed annually to the following organizations:

• The New Love Center.

• Community Nursing Service of Clinton County.

• Clinton County Women’s Shelter-Roads to Peace.

• Piper Aviation Museum.

• Annie Halenbake Ross Library.

• Millbrook Playhouse.

• Lock Haven YMCA.

• Lock Haven Childcare Center.

• Infant Development Center.

The state Attorney General’s Office approved the petition to transfer the assets last December.

The board of directors of the Clinton County Community Foundation will take over administration and distribution of the Piper gifts via the two, newly established funds, upon the formal transition.

Current officers of the Piper Foundation are Mrs. Piper-Smyer, president, Mrs. Barrett, vice president and secretary, and Mrs. Bert, treasurer.

“It has been my honor and privilege to act as the treasurer for the Piper Foundation for the past 20 years to help support Clinton County, the non-profit organizations that contribute so much to the community and most of all to support the Piper Scholars who continue to amaze me with their drive, ingenuity and success,” said Anne Bert, according to the news release. “I am very excited about our new relationship with the Clinton County Community Foundation, and I am confident they are the right organization to continue our work and continue the work in the community that my grandfather and my uncles began.”

The Piper Aircraft Corp. was founded in Lock Haven in 1937.

From then until the late 1960s, the company manufactured an array of airplanes – from the world-famous, tail-dragger Cub to a variety of low-wing, single- and twin-engine models such as the Cherokee, Comanche and Aztec.

In 1969, the company was the target of a hostile takeover, and the new owners moved the corporate headquarters and over the next 15 years all manufacturing to a facility in Vero Beach, Fla., the news release said. The Piper Foundation continued to stay in town, with Bill Jr. in charge. In 1987, he enlisted the help of his nieces, Pat Piper-Smyer and Betsy Barrett, who later brought in Anne Bert and the other family members.

Upon Bill Jr.’s death in 2007, his widow, Beth Talley Piper, also joined the board.

“The Clinton County Community Foundation is honored to be recipient of the Piper Foundation funds, but importantly, to partner with members of the family to continue Piper’s legacy of giving,” Dennis Trout, Clinton County Community board president, said, according to the news release. “As someone who has first-hand experience with the Piper Foundation Scholarship, I can attest to the difference it makes to a student’s life. I am happy that the Clinton County Community Foundation will continue the Piper family’s legacy and mission here in Clinton County.”

The Clinton County Community Foundation is celebrating its 55th year after having been born from a $43,000 gift from Jean Sharp Rempe Hendrich. A 1934 graduate of Lock Haven High School, Jean embodied the spirit of giving.

To learn more about how to support the Clinton County Community Foundation, visit www.clintoncountyfoundation.org, send an email to cccf@clintoncountyfoundation.org, or call 570-220-1038.