Trading Day for Kids Targets Goal of $1.5 MM to Help New York City Youth

MINNEAPOLIS and NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Youth, I.N.C. (Improving Nonprofits for Children) announced today that Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC), a leading, global middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, will once again donate 100 percent of designated commissions on equity trades made through the firm on October 14 to Youth I.N.C.  This is the second year that Piper Jaffray has partnered with nonprofit Youth, I.N.C. to sponsor Trading Day for Kids, now in its fifth year.

In 2009, Piper Jaffray sponsored its first Trading Day for Kids, which raised more than $1.5 million for Youth, I.N.C.'s partner nonprofits and 45,000 New York City kids. Youth, I.N.C. harnesses the brightest minds in business to help New York City's promising grassroots organizations deliver opportunities for our most vulnerable youth.

Institutional investors can support Trading Day for Kids by directing all equity trading activities on October 14 to Piper Jaffray and designating "Youth, I.N.C." as the beneficiary of trading commissions.

"Piper Jaffray is committed to supporting worthy philanthropic causes that help strengthen the communities in which we do business. We are excited to partner with Youth, I.N.C. again to sponsor the 2010 Trading Day for Kids," said Thomas Schnettler, president and chief operating officer of Piper Jaffray. "We firmly support Youth, I.N.C.'s effort to connect the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to make an impact on New York City youth. This initiative is exciting for our staff and we encourage institutional investors and the greater financial community to get involved and direct their equity trades to Piper Jaffray on October 14."

"Youth, I.N.C. is honored to have Piper Jaffray serve as the sponsor for Trading Day for Kids for a second year," said Steve Orr, executive director of Youth, I.N.C. "The support of companies like Piper Jaffray and our participating firms enhances our ability to make an impact on underserved youth across New York City at a critical time."

Piper Jaffray also co-hosted a series of roundtable discussions with Youth, I.N.C. leading up to Trading Day. Featured guest speakers included, Marc Lasry, Avenue Capital Group, Dinakar Singh, TPG Axon, Wilbur Ross, WL Ross and Co., and Larry Kudlow, CNBC.  Over 140 investment professionals from 65 financial firms attended the series, which helped to build support for Trading Day.  

On September 22, Piper Jaffray hosted high school students from two of Youth, I.N.C.'s partner nonprofit organizations, Minds Matters and Futures and Options, for a mentoring day event. Students spent time with Piper Jaffray executives and a panel of Piper Jaffray representatives from the firm's capital markets, investment banking, and research divisions to learn about the financial services industry and the firm's day-to-day business activities.

For more information about participating in the 2010 Trading Day for Kids, please visit http://www.youthinc-usa.org/Trading_Day_10.pdf

About Youth, I.N.C.

Through the use of a unique venture philanthropy model that empowers, develops, and educates nonprofit organizations serving young people, Youth, I.N.C. guides grassroots organizations toward long-term sustainability. Since inception, Youth, I.N.C. has raised $34 million for youth, empowered over 85 nonprofits, and impacted the lives of nearly 600,000 youth. To learn more about Youth, I.N.C. and Trading Day for Kids visit: www.youthinc-usa.org.

About Piper Jaffray

Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray Companies is a leading global investment bank and asset management firm serving the needs of corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. The firm is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices across the U.S. and in Hong Kong and London. For more information, please visit: www.piperjaffray.com.

SOURCE Youth, I.N.C.